46,000 hospital, long-term care and emergency health services workers have voted 96 percent in favour of strike action. Most are with the Hosptial Employees' Union. Bonnie Pearson with the HEU says it sends a clear message to health employers and government to come back to the bargaining table. Contracts expired in March -- talks began in … [Read more...]
Minister tells health care workers to get flu shots, or wear mask
November 2, 2012 by
BC Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid wants health care workers to either get a flu shot, or be wearing a mask, as of December first. "Steps will have to be taken if people won't cooperate with that, because we're talking about patient safety and that is our top priority; it has to be our top priority, it has to be our top priority,it has to be … [Read more...]
BC health science pros taking strike vote
November 1, 2012 by
After seven months of bargaining, BC's health science professionals are taking a strike vote. They provide diagnostic, clinical, and rehabilitation services. Talks with the Health Employer's Association of BC broke down yesterday. They're seeking a two percent wage hike this year and next. The strike vote wraps up mid-month. 14 thousand workers in … [Read more...]
Sixth person fired in alleged health privacy breach
October 24, 2012 by
The sixth person in an alleged privacy breach involving people's medical records has been fired. A spokesman with B.C.'s health ministry confirms the employee has received a letter as such, but he wouldn't provide any details. The seventh person implicated remains suspended. The incident surfaced earlier this year as an alleged misuse of medical … [Read more...]
Children and youth representative says BC government spends less on mental health programs than it claims
October 20, 2012 by
BC's Representative for Children and Youth is disputing figures from the provincial government -- over the amount of money spent on mental health programs. The minister responsible -- Stephanie Cadieux -- claims $ 94 million are spent each year to address concerns. But Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond isn't buying that number. "I think they spend closer … [Read more...]
VPD looking for missing teen with mental health issues
October 7, 2012 by
Vancouver Police are appealing to the public for help find a 15-year-old boy who went missing Saturday night. David Nguyen was last seen leaving children's hospital on oak street at 7 o-clock to play basketball. Police say Nguyen has mental health issues and warn he should not be approached. He is described as Asian, 6-feet tall and 215 … [Read more...]
Health Minister defends new deal
October 3, 2012 by
BC's Health Minister is defending last week's deal giving BC nurses pay raises amounting to more than seven per cent over two years. Margaret MacDiarmid says the agreement, which must still be ratified by 32-thousand members of the BC Nurses Union, falls within the government's 'net zero' mandate, but she's reluctant to explain how taxpayers … [Read more...]
Another worker fired in health breach scandal
September 14, 2012 by
Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid says another staffer has been fired in the privacy breach scandal. "There is one further ministry employee that has been terminated so there in total are two people that remain suspended (without pay) and five individuals have been terminated. This goes back to the investigation that has been ongoing since … [Read more...]
Family of plane crash survivor miffed at health care system, but not for the usual reasons
September 7, 2012 by
One of the two remaining survivors from a plane crash near Penticton in August can't get a doctor to accept him at Vancouver General Hospital. Vincent Hannay is out of the intensive care unit at Kelowna General Hospital, and his family wants him back in Vancouver to continue his recovery. His uncle Rick Hannay says BC Bedline has an … [Read more...]
Health officer speaks out after criticism of new flu-shot measures
August 25, 2012 by
B.C.’s chief medical health officer is firing back at critics of new flu shot rules. Dr. Perry Kendall has announced healthcare workers must get immunized this flu season or else wear a mask to help protect patients. Nurses and seniors' care providers have cried foul, claiming there has been no consultation. Kendall says he suspects it might … [Read more...]
