March 28, 2024

Health Sciences Association says BCNU working on another raid

Fresh off of plucking licensed practical nurses from the Hospital Employees Union the BC Nurses union has launched another raid.  Health Sciences Association President Reid Johnson says the BCNU is trying to grab about 60 registered psychiatric nurses at Royal Columbian Hospital.  "The BCNU has raided our members that work there who are … [Read more...]

Health officials concerned over “rampant” flu outbreak

The Fraser Health Authority have classified a rampant flu outbreak in Metro Vancouver a health hazard. Chief Medical health officer Doctor Paul Van Buynder says serious steps are being made to take on the outbreak. Van Buynder says greater attention will be given to vulnerable residents fighting flu outbreaks in long term care facilities. "So our … [Read more...]

BC health expert says get vaccinated for the flu

The Chief Medical Health Officer for the Fraser Health Authority says the current flu season could be the worst in recent years. "I have an outbreak of outbreaks of influenza." Doctor Paul van Buynder says the past couple years have been fairly quiet. "And people have become a little bit blase about what this can do. I've had over 14 longterm care … [Read more...]

Help for Young People with Mental Health and Substance Use issues

It's a first for BC. A new initiative designed to help teens and young people with mental health issues and substance use is coming online in Surrey. The first program of its kind in BC "Speak Up" allows young people to share and learn from each other through peer support, targetted education in schools and new a online community. Doctor Karen Tee … [Read more...]

Health Science professionals call off planned job action

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association has scrapped plans to hold rotating strikes this week after the Government tabled a proposal this weekend. The union says the Government has offered a 1.4% wage increase over two years, with some health workers experiencing rollbacks. In a release, Health Science Association of BC President … [Read more...]

UPDATES: Two year tentative deal reached for health care workers

The multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association and health employers in BC have reached a tentative two year agreement after nine months of negotiations. It affects more than 46,000 health care workers. Bonnie Pearson with the FBA says it's been a very "tough and brutal" round of bargaining. The deal includes a moratorium on layoffs due to … [Read more...]

Mental health policy in the workplace has been delayed

It's taking longer than expected for the Federal Government to implement a new policy for mental health in the workplace. It was supposed to be done this month. The National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace will establish voluntary guidelines for employers. It has been in the works more than two years. Labour … [Read more...]

NDP health critic unimpressed with minister’s response to Burnaby Hospital controversy

The NDP health critic is hitting out at BC Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid's response to a leaked document indicating Liberal partisanship on a committee that looked into the future of Burnaby Hospital. Mike Farnworth isn't impressed with MacDiarmid's attempt to distance the Liberal government from documents which point to Liberal … [Read more...]

BC Health Minister not disclosing plans for Burnaby Hospital

BC's Health Minister is staying mum on plans for Burnaby Hospital. Margaret MacDiarmid acknowledges the facility is out-dated and needs to be redeveloped, but the government will wait for a report from the Fraser Health Authority before moving forward. "There are a number of hospitals, and I know of a handful more, that are around that 50-60 years … [Read more...]

Fraser Health moves ahead with $25-million plan to add more care beds

More care beds for seniors are being added to the Fraser Health region. The health authority is moving forward with its bid to build 403 new beds for round-the-clock care in three areas. "These communities – Surrey, South Surrey, White Rock and the Tri-Cities, have been identified because of their growth, especially amongst the senior … [Read more...]