Ministry of Health

Physician assistants are valued members of the health-care system in many provinces in Canada, but not in B.C. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Physician assistants improve health care in provinces that recognize them; B.C. doesn’t

‘It’s a waste of a resource. I could see hundreds of patients right in this area…’

 

Physician assistants are valued members of other provinces’ healthcare systems, but the B.C. government does not recognize their qualifications. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Military and university-trained physician assistants rejected by B.C.’s health system

They are ready and willing, but due to provincial policies, these healthcare workers are not able

 

B.C. health minister Adrian Dix at the Union of B.C. Municipalities last month in Whistler. (Credit: Union of B.C. Municipalities)

‘System collapsing’: B.C.’s Health Minister under fire after ‘horrifying’ story from Penticton

‘Sadly, this NDP government is not listening,’ said Penticton MLA Dan Ashton

 

The BC Coroner’s Office reports that there were 582 suicide deaths investigated in B.C. in 2021, down from 597 in 2020 and 634 in 2019. In Canada, men account for 75% of suicides. (File photo)

$2M in funding announced for care plan to help those at risk of suicide in B.C.

The investment is part of a larger strategy, A Pathway to Hope, to improve mental-health care

The BC Coroner’s Office reports that there were 582 suicide deaths investigated in B.C. in 2021, down from 597 in 2020 and 634 in 2019. In Canada, men account for 75% of suicides. (File photo)
Protesters gather outside the Ministry of Health Wednesday (Aug. 10) afternoon, calling on the provincial government to address the family doctor shortage. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Demonstrators in Victoria call for province to address family doctor shortage

Those with, without family physicians converge on Health Ministry office downtown

Protesters gather outside the Ministry of Health Wednesday (Aug. 10) afternoon, calling on the provincial government to address the family doctor shortage. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
BC School Sports tournaments can now resume after a Feb. 3 decision from the Ministry of Education. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

‘It’s official’: BC School Sports gets green light to resume tournaments

The Ministry of Education initially prevented such events from happening, amid the pandemic

BC School Sports tournaments can now resume after a Feb. 3 decision from the Ministry of Education. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Julie MacArthur, expecting twins as soon as March, is among a group of pregnant Greater Victoria people who fought to get a booster shot earlier than six months after their second vaccination, and ahead of giving birth. (Courtesy of Julie MacArthur)

B.C. shortens wait between second, third vaccine doses for pregnant people

Pregnant Greater Victoria women say previous policy left them fighting for earlier shots

Julie MacArthur, expecting twins as soon as March, is among a group of pregnant Greater Victoria people who fought to get a booster shot earlier than six months after their second vaccination, and ahead of giving birth. (Courtesy of Julie MacArthur)
Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital is one of the Island Health facilities that has taken in patients from Northern Health over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

Do patient transfers impact Island Health COVID-19 figures? Yes and no, officials say

New case numbers, hospitalizations two different categories

Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital is one of the Island Health facilities that has taken in patients from Northern Health over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Parksville resident was alarmed to find needles left in a forested area near Springwood Elementary School in 2019. (Submitted photo)

Parksville mayor jabs Island Health for needle issue inaction

Mayne tells Island Health officials problem is getting worse

A Parksville resident was alarmed to find needles left in a forested area near Springwood Elementary School in 2019. (Submitted photo)
Northern Health and the Ministry of Health are collaborating on programs to attract and retain health care professionals in northern BC. (Photo: K-J Millar/The Northern View)

B.C. offers cash, housing help to tempt health care workers into moving north

The province announced $6.38 million in funding to keep health care workers in the north

Northern Health and the Ministry of Health are collaborating on programs to attract and retain health care professionals in northern BC. (Photo: K-J Millar/The Northern View)
During an average year, the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society provides counselling for 250 adults but during the pandemic, the demand nearly doubled. (Pexels photo)

Esquimalt society receives grant for mental health support services

Ministry of Health and Addictions announces $85,000-investment into free counselling

During an average year, the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society provides counselling for 250 adults but during the pandemic, the demand nearly doubled. (Pexels photo)
Announced Tuesday, March 5, by the Ministry of Health, women bearing children have been prioritized in the province’s immunization rollout. (Black Press Media files)

Pregnant women in B.C. now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Emerging provincial data shows pregnant women experience COVID-19 illness at a similar severity rate as people in their 50s

Announced Tuesday, March 5, by the Ministry of Health, women bearing children have been prioritized in the province’s immunization rollout. (Black Press Media files)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix provide an update on COVID-19. (B.C. government)

556 new COVID-19 cases reported in B.C., 116 new variant cases

Deaths in B.C. from the virus ceased but hospitalizations rose

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix provide an update on COVID-19. (B.C. government)
Leah Hollins, board chair of Island Health (Left), Dr. Leah MacDonald, executive medical director of primary care and senior’s health, MLA Lana Popham, Kaye Kennish, executive director of the James Bay community project, Acting Mayor Sharmarke Dubow, Minister of Finance Carole James, Rozlynne Mitchell, chair of the James Bay community Project and Minister of Health Adrian Dix stand in front of the building at 547 Michigan St. where Victoria’s first Urgent and Primary Health Care Centre will go. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Victoria’s first urgent primary health clinic coming to James Bay

The third urgent care clinic on the Island is set to open in March 2020

Leah Hollins, board chair of Island Health (Left), Dr. Leah MacDonald, executive medical director of primary care and senior’s health, MLA Lana Popham, Kaye Kennish, executive director of the James Bay community project, Acting Mayor Sharmarke Dubow, Minister of Finance Carole James, Rozlynne Mitchell, chair of the James Bay community Project and Minister of Health Adrian Dix stand in front of the building at 547 Michigan St. where Victoria’s first Urgent and Primary Health Care Centre will go. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix spoke at the 2018 Canada-United States Community Health Centres Summit. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

The Ministry of Health commits to focus more on community-driven health networks

Victoria hosts international Community Health Centres Summit

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix spoke at the 2018 Canada-United States Community Health Centres Summit. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Smoky skies have caused a 25 per cent increase in inhaler prescriptions across B.C. (Photo by Ana Maria Dacol/Creative Commons)

B.C. sees 25% jump in inhaler use from wildfire smoke

Weekly increases saw thousands of people with breathing problems reach for their puffers during air quality advisories

Smoky skies have caused a 25 per cent increase in inhaler prescriptions across B.C. (Photo by Ana Maria Dacol/Creative Commons)
News of an investigation involving one or more Victoria area care homes has been confirmed by the Hospital Employees Union, but neither Island Health or VicPD have publicly stated a probe is taking place. iStock

Details scarce as union confirms probe underway involving Victoria care homes

Island Health, VicPD offer no comment on report of investigation into alleged sexual assaults

News of an investigation involving one or more Victoria area care homes has been confirmed by the Hospital Employees Union, but neither Island Health or VicPD have publicly stated a probe is taking place. iStock
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