Feb. 8, 2010 - AGREEMENT REACHED WITH HEALTH FACILITIES EMPLOYEES
VICTORIA – The Facilities Bargaining Association, representing over 47,000 health-care workers, has reached a tentative agreement on a two-year contract with the Health Employers Association of B.C., Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced today. [News Release]
Feb. 4, 2010 - B.C. TO SEEK AND TREAT MOST VULNERABLE HIV PATIENTS
VANCOUVER - A unique pilot program will get underway shortly in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and Prince George to seek and treat vulnerable populations who are either undiagnosed or untreated for HIV. [News Release]
Feb. 3, 2010 - 44 MORE BEDS FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL AND ADDICTED
COQUITLAM - Forty-four beds for adults with severe mental illness and substance use disorders will be opened on the Riverview grounds to provide transitional, long-term supportive housing, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. [News Release]
Feb. 2, 2010 - H1N1 FLU VIRUS (HUMAN SWINE FLU) UNDER SURVEILLANCE
VICTORIA – The Province continues to monitor and respond to the spread of the pandemic H1N1 flu virus. In B.C., the second wave of the H1N1 pandemic has peaked and now officially passed. Currently, influenza activity in the province is well below historic norms. [Information Bulletin]
Feb. 1, 2010 - INTERIOR GETS BETTER CANCER CARE, CLOSER TO HOME
KELOWNA – A new, state-of-the-art radiation therapy treatment unit and a brachytherapy suite was officially opened today at the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the Southern Interior, which will help more patients from the Interior get better cancer care, closer to home. [News Release]
Jan. 29, 2010 - NEW REGISTRY TO SAFEGUARD SENIORS, SUPPORT CAREGIVERS
VANCOUVER – B.C. is increasing safeguards to protect vulnerable British Columbians and creating supports for care aides and community health workers with the creation of a new registry that becomes operational on Jan. 29, 2010, Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon announced today. [News Release]
Jan. 27, 2010 - B.C. PATIENTS GIVE ACUTE INPATIENT CARE A THUMBS-UP
VICTORIA – An independent provincewide survey of acute care inpatient services indicates that 92 per cent of patients surveyed rate the overall quality of care they received at British Columbian hospitals as good to excellent. The results are consistent with the Canadian score of 93 per cent as well as the first survey of acute care in British Columbia four years ago. [News Release]
Jan. 26, 2010 - H1N1 FLU VIRUS (HUMAN SWINE FLU) UNDER SURVEILLANCE
VICTORIA – British Columbia continues to monitor and respond to the spread of the pandemic H1N1 flu virus. [Information Bulletin]
Jan. 25, 2010 - FUNDING APPROVED FOR INTERIOR HEART & SURGICAL CENTRE
KELOWNA - The Province has approved funding for the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre
(IHSC) project, which will build on the cardiac transition plan currently underway at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) and provide cardiac care closer to home for patients throughout the
Interior, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today. [News Release]
Jan. 25, 2010 - UBC CLINICAL TEACHING FACILITY OPENS AT KGH
KELOWNA - The Interior's new clinical teaching building at Kelowna General Hospital - the
home of the Southern Medical Program - is complete and ready to begin training doctors in the Southern Interior for the first time ever, announced Premier Gordon Campbell today. [News Release]
Jan. 15, 2010 - AGREEMENT SIGNED FOR CANCER CENTRE FOR THE NORTH
PRINCE GEORGE – Today the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North project took a major step forward with the signing of the final partnership agreement with Plenary Health. [News Release]
Dec. 22, 2009 - COMMUNITY HEALTH EMPLOYEES REACH AGREEMENT
VICTORIA – A tentative agreement has been reached on a two-year contract for workers in the community health sector, Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced today. [News Release]
Dec. 17, 2009 - THREE TEAMS SHORT-LISTED FOR SMH EXPANSION
SURREY – Three qualified teams have been short-listed to participate in the next stage of the competition to design, build, finance, and maintain the new emergency department and critical care tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH). [News Release]
Dec. 11, 2009 - NORTHERN FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM PAEDIATRIC CARE CLINIC
PRINCE GEORGE – Children living in the North who need specialized paediatric health services can now access care closer to home, thanks to an expanded clinic that recently opened at Prince George Regional Hospital. [News Release]
Dec. 3, 2009 - PFIZER AND B.C. LAUNCH $9M COLLABORATION TO TACKLE CANCER
VANCOUVER – Pfizer is entering into a three-year, $9-million research collaboration with the BC Cancer Agency and the Vancouver Prostate Centre, a University of British Columbia (UBC) and Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) Centre of Excellence, to tackle new treatment avenues for breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. This is the single-largest investment by Pfizer into British Columbia’s public research sector, and it recognizes the strength and world-class cancer expertise that resides in this province. [News Release]
Dec. 2, 2009 - APPLYING FOR BENEFITS FOR NEWBORNS NOW EASIER IN B.C.
VICTORIA – Now B.C. parents of newborns can apply for their baby’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage at the same time they register their child’s birth, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. [News Release]
Nov. 30, 2009 - FINAL BEAM PUT INTO PLACE AT NEW ROYAL JUBILEE HOSPITAL
VICTORIA - The Province, Capital Regional Hospitals District (CRHD) and Vancouver Island
Health Authority (VIHA) celebrated the placement of the final steel beams that will connect the new Patient Care Centre to the existing Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at the Royal Jubilee
Hospital (RJH) in Victoria. This significant construction milestone comes just 16 months after ground was broken for the new $350-million, 500-bed facility. [News Release]
Nov. 20, 2009 - FIRST CARDIAC PROCEDURE PERFORMED IN KELOWNA
KELOWNA – The first-ever cardiac procedure to be performed at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) was successfully completed earlier this week, marking the first time a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been done anywhere in the province outside of the Lower Mainland and Victoria. [News Release]
Nov. 18, 2009 - NANAIMO CELEBRATES START OF RENAL CENTRE CONSTRUCTION
NANAIMO – Representatives from the Province, Vancouver Island Health (VIHA), the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) and the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation today celebrated the kick off of construction at the $9.4-million Nanaimo Regional General Hospital renal centre. [News Release]
Nov. 6, 2009 - PRINCE GEORGE HOSPITAL RENAMED TO REFLECT TEACHING ROLE
PRINCE GEORGE – Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon today announced that Prince George Regional Hospital will be renamed The University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, Prince George. [News Release]
Nov. 2, 2009 - LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO RESTORE EMERGENCY CARE
VICTORIA – The Province is taking action to restore full emergency care to protect British Columbians, Minister of Health Services Kevin Falcon announced today in introducing legislation to end the strike by CUPE 873, the union representing BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) paramedics and dispatchers. [News Release]
Nov. 2, 2009 - 'IT'S GOOD TO ASK' PROGRAM PROMOTES PATIENT SAFETY
VICTORIA – Canadian Patient Safety Week kicks off across the country this week, from Nov. 2 to 6, and to raise awareness here in British Columbia, patients are being told that 'It's Good to Ask' questions of their health-care providers. [News Release]
Oct. 30, 2009 - PANDEMIC H1N1 INFLUENZA VACCINE UPDATE
VANCOUVER – Despite unexpected delays in the manufacture of pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine in Canada, all British Columbians who need or want the vaccine will be able to receive it before the end of the year as has been said previously, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall reiterated today. [News Release]
Oct. 29, 2009 - REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ACHIEVEMENTS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
VICTORIA – B.C.’s physician incentive programs continue to demonstrate positive results for both patients and doctors according to the 2008-2009 annual report of the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC). [News Release]
Oct. 23, 2009 - ADDITIONAL $31.61M SAVINGS FOR B.C. HEALTH SYSTEM
VICTORIA – Four new contracts to provide health authorities with cardiac, renal dialysis, and operating room supplies will save the province’s health system $31.6 million, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. [News Release]
Oct. 21, 2009 - B.C. PHARMACISTS TO GIVE INJECTIONS FOR VACCINES
VICTORIA – Specially-trained pharmacists in British Columbia can now provide patients with vaccine injections. [News Release]
Oct. 21, 2009 - H1N1 PANDEMIC VACCINE APPROVED, TIMING CONFIRMED
VICTORIA – Following today’s approval by Health Canada regulators, the pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine will be made available to British Columbians beginning the week of Oct. 26, announced Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall. [News Release]
Oct. 20, 2009 - CANCER CENTRE FOR THE NORTH MOVES FORWARD
PRINCE GEORGE - A preferred proponent has been selected to work with the BC Cancer Agency, Provincial Health Services Authority and the provincial government in negotiations as part of the next steps needed toward building a new regional cancer centre in Prince George. [News Release]
Oct. 15, 2009 - OUTPATIENT HOSPITAL REACHES CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE
SURREY - Construction on the $239-million Surrey Outpatient Hospital reached a milestone today,
with the completion of the framing and capping of the roof. The occasion was marked by Health
Services Minister Kevin Falcon, along with representatives from Fraser Health, with a tribute to
workers and the sealing of a ceremonial time capsule. [News Release]
Oct. 8, 2009 - NEW RESIDENTIAL CARE RATES MORE FAIR AND EQUITABLE
VICTORIA – Beginning January 2010, a more equitable rate structure will be introduced for all residential care clients to reduce the burden on low-income seniors and support ongoing improvements to the residential care system, Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon announced today. [News Release] [Slide Show]
Oct. 6, 2009 - COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING PILOT FOR POWELL RIVER
POWELL RIVER – Powell River is the second B.C. community to pilot a colorectal cancer screening program, Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon announced today. [News Release]
Oct. 5, 2009 - OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO PATIENT CARE RECOGNIZED
VICTORIA – Seven teams from each of B.C.’s health authorities and one individual from Vancouver received BC Patient Safety and Quality Council awards for advancing patient safety and quality of care, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. [News Release]
Oct. 5, 2009 - PROVINCE PROVIDES FURTHER SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE IN CARE
VICTORIA – In anticipation of a resurgence of the H1N1 virus, B.C. doctors will receive additional compensation to provide increased access to care for patients. [News Release]
Oct. 1, 2009 - PROVINCE PROVIDES FURTHER SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE IN CARE
VICTORIA – The Province is introducing a new residential care regulation to provide increased protection to the health, safety and dignity of persons in care, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport. The new regulation comes into effect on Oct. 1, 2009 and replaces the adult care regulations and the residential pieces of the child care licensing regulation. [News Release]
Sept. 24, 2009 - CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON NEW RESEARCH CENTRE
VANCOUVER - Premier Gordon Campbell helped launch the official groundbreaking of the
new seven-storey, Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, built in part thanks to the generous donation of $15 million from Mr. Robert Ho. [News Release]
Sept. 20, 2009 - BC AMBULANCE URGES PATIENCE AS SERVICE LEVELS RESTORED
VANCOUVER –The BC Ambulance (BCAS) has called for the public's patience as service levels are restored following a court ruling yesterday directing CUPE 873 and its members to return to normal staffing patterns. [Information Bulletin]
Sept. 19, 2009 - PUBLIC URGED TO USE AMBULANCE SERVICE WISELY
VANCOUVER – BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) is urging the public to use the ambulance service wisely this weekend as staffing shortages worsen following statements made by union executives yesterday, directing paramedics not to fill shifts as required by the Essential Services Order. [Information Bulletin]
Sept. 15, 2009 - NEW ER OPENS AT VICTORIA GENERAL HOSPITAL
VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell and Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon celebrated a
milestone in the delivery of trauma care on Vancouver Island today, as they officially opened the
new, three-times larger $18.8 million emergency department at Victoria General Hospital. [News Release]
Aug. 12, 2009 - BENEFIT PROCESS SIMPLIFIED FOR PARENTS OF B.C. NEWBORNS
VICTORIA – A new federal-provincial automated benefit service will give British
Columbia parents the convenient option of applying for all child benefit programs when they
register the birth of their newborn. [News Release]
Aug. 7, 2009 - UNIQUE MOBILE LAB TO UNLOCK B.C.'S BONE-HEALTH SECRETS
VANCOUVER – Healthy Living and Sport Minister Ida Chong today unveiled the Centre for Hip
Health and Mobility's mobile research lab, the first mobile lab of its kind in Canada, which is dedicated
to better understanding mobility and bone health across the lifespan. [News Release]
Jul. 31, 2009 - LYTTON CELEBRATES NEW HEALTH CENTRE & SENIORS’ HOUSING
LYTTON – Healthy Living and Sport Minister Ida Chong was joined today by representatives from local First Nations, Interior Health, BC Housing and the Thompson Regional Hospital District (TRHD) to celebrate the opening of Lytton’s new health centre and assisted living complex. [News Release]
Jul. 27, 2009 - H1N1 FLU VIRUS (HUMAN SWINE FLU) UNDER SURVEILLANCE
VICTORIA – British Columbia continues to monitor and respond to the recent spread of the novel H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu). One hundred and two new cases have been confirmed since July 20 – 54 in Fraser Health, 28 in Vancouver Coastal Health, 16 on Vancouver Island, one in Northern Health and three in Interior Health – for a total of 536 cases in the province, the vast majority of which have been mild cases with patients either recovered or currently recovering. [Information Bulletin]
Jul. 24, 2009 - MEDICAL EDUCATION SERVICE BENEFITS DOCTORS, PATIENTS
VICTORIA – An innovative service is now providing more B.C. physicians with access to specially-trained pharmacists for detailed information on current drug therapies, Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon announced today. [News Release]
Jul. 23, 2009 - SURREY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL EXPANSION PLAN MOVES FORWARD
SURREY – The expansion of Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) moved forward today with the release of a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the new emergency department and critical care tower. The RFQ represents the next stage in the competitive selection process to short-list qualified teams to design, build, finance, and maintain a new emergency department and critical care tower. [News Release]
Jul. 22, 2009 - CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON NEW FORT ST. JOHN HOSPITAL
FORT ST. JOHN – Ground was officially broken today on construction of the new Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care project, with Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm, Senator Richard Neufeld, and representatives from Northern Health and the Peace River Regional Hospital District (PRRHD) on hand to mark the occasion. [News Release]
Jul. 21, 2009 - PROPOSED CHANGES ALLOW PHARMACISTS TO GIVE INJECTIONS
VICTORIA – British Columbians may soon have even more health professionals to choose from when they need to have certain types of injections, including vaccinations, Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon announced today. [News Release]
Jul. 21, 2009 - B.C. SIGNS HEALTH PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH ALBERTA
VICTORIA – British Columbia and Alberta have completed a joint agreement that is expected to reduce costs for health-care system supplies and services, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. [News Release]
Jul. 21, 2009 - HEALTH AUTHORITIES SAVE $57.5M THROUGH SHARED SERVICES
VICTORIA – New contracts to provide all health authorities with cardiac supplies such as heart pacemakers and defibrillators and home oxygen services will save the health system $57.5 million, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. [News Release]
Jul. 20, 2009 - BRITISH COLUMBIANS GET OPTION TO MANAGE HEALTH RECORDS
VICTORIA – As of July 17, British Columbians can begin to apply disclosure directives to manage their Electronic Health Record (EHR) in advance of the system going live later this year and throughout 2010. [Information Bulletin]
Jul. 14, 2009 - BRITISH COLUMBIA HAS FIRST H1N1-CONFIRMED DEATH
VICTORIA – A young child from the Fraser Health region is the first known person in British Columbia to die from the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, while a young woman in the same health region has also died in connection with the H1N1 influenza outbreak. [News Release]
Jul. 3, 2009 - CLINICS FAST-TRACK BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS
VANCOUVER – Women across the Lower Mainland are now able to visit one of four rapid-access breast cancer diagnosis pilot clinics to quickly catch potential cases of breast cancer, thanks to a $5-million investment from the Province’s Lower Mainland Innovation and Integration Fund (LMIIF), announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon today. [News Release]
Jul. 2, 2009 - DOCTOR TRAINING SUPPORTED AT LIONS GATE HOSPITAL
NORTH VANCOUVER – The Province will invest more than $225,000 for renovations at Lions Gate Hospital to support medical education. [News Release]
Jul. 2, 2009 - DOCTOR TRAINING SUPPORTED AT RICHMOND HOSPITAL
RICHMOND – The Province will invest more than $350,000 for renovations at Richmond Hospital to support medical school education. [News Release]
Jun. 17, 2009 - SURREY OUTPATIENT HOSPITAL PROJECT REPORT RELEASED
SURREY – Partnerships BC and Fraser Health have released the Project Report: Achieving Value for Money for the Surrey Outpatient Hospital project. [News Release]
Jun. 11, 2009 - WAISTLINE MANAGEMENT ADDS TO STROKE PREVENTION
VICTORIA – Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and helps control other conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. [News Release]
Jun. 11, 2009 - PANDEMIC IN PERSPECTIVE
VICTORIA – Provincial health officer Perry Kendall is reassuring British Columbians that, just because the World Health Organization has raised its alert level to phase 6 (the pandemic phase), it doesn’t currently appear the H1N1 flu virus will pose any more of a risk to people in the province today than it did yesterday. [News Release]
Jun. 1, 2009 - B.C. MODERNIZES REGULATION OF MEDICAL PROFESSION
VICTORIA – Starting June 1, the medical profession will come under the Health Professions Act to
further increase accountability and transparency, said Health Services Minister George Abbott. [News Release] |
