Island Health

A health-care rally drew hundreds of frustrated residents from all over the North Island to the Town of Port McNeill on Saturday, March 11. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

Hundreds gather for rally as Island Health details North Island health crisis response

North Island residents say their voices are continuing to be ignored by Island Health

 

James Hanson is the vice-president of North Island clinical operations for Island Health. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

Island Health executive answers tough questions about North Island health care

James Hanson addresses lack of staff, public criticism other health care challenges in the region

 

Island Health is inviting applications for its community wellness grant program. (News Bulletin file photo)

Island Health grants will support community health and wellness programs

Health authority inviting applications from non-profits, local governments and First Nations

 

Dr. Alex Nataros and his therapy dog Pearl. (Submitted photo)

Outspoken B.C. doctor suspended from ER, after allegations of ‘serious patient complaint’

Dr. Alex Nataros says suspension due to him speaking out against Island Health

Dr. Alex Nataros and his therapy dog Pearl. (Submitted photo)
Dr. Emanuela Tura says all of her invoices for last month have been rejected. (Courtesy Dr. Emanuela Tura)

‘Hitting a wall’: Victoria doctor fed up after B.C. fails to pay her for an entire month

Dr. Emanuela Tura says B.C. didn’t pay her for January, MSP says it’s a ‘glitch’

Dr. Emanuela Tura says all of her invoices for last month have been rejected. (Courtesy Dr. Emanuela Tura)
A COVID-19 test. Island Health workers are being urged to not get tested. (Black Press Media file photo)

CAMPBELL: ‘Atrocious’: Sick Vancouver Island health workers urged by bosses to not test for COVID-19

New memo seems to run counter to provincial policy on isolation

A COVID-19 test. Island Health workers are being urged to not get tested. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dr. Alex Nataros works at the Port Hardy Hospital, which has been in the news for years now due to closures and rotating hospital diversions. (Island Health photo)

Doctors call for executive’s resignation due to Vancouver Island health struggles

Frustrated physicians say they have no confidence in health authority’s ability to address concerns

Dr. Alex Nataros works at the Port Hardy Hospital, which has been in the news for years now due to closures and rotating hospital diversions. (Island Health photo)
More than 100 people from different walks of life gather at Royal Jubilee Hospital for Code Hack 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health’s Code Hack returns to help improve health care

Code Hack takes place at Royal Jubilee Hospital from March 10 to 12

More than 100 people from different walks of life gather at Royal Jubilee Hospital for Code Hack 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak speaking at the launch event for their co-response team with Island Health. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Victoria police and Island Health launch co-response team to respond to mental health calls

The co-response team pairs a police officer with a registered mental health clinician

Victoria Police Chief Del Manak speaking at the launch event for their co-response team with Island Health. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Ray Watkins Elementary School in Gold River has been closed for two days after some staff and students reported itchiness, redness and welts. Photo courtesy Vancouver Island West School District

Gold River elementary school closed for two days for health reasons

Staff and students at Ray Watkins Elementary reported itchiness, redness and welts on Wednesday

Ray Watkins Elementary School in Gold River has been closed for two days after some staff and students reported itchiness, redness and welts. Photo courtesy Vancouver Island West School District
Wayne Lim is the general manager of the Te Awamutu Medical Centre, on New Zealand’s North Island. The clinic cares for 14,000 patients, and typically has two physician associates among his staff of 50. Photo via YouTube

While demand for physician assistants grows worldwide, B.C. uses a ‘wait and see’ approach

This is the third instalment in a series of articles looking at…

Wayne Lim is the general manager of the Te Awamutu Medical Centre, on New Zealand’s North Island. The clinic cares for 14,000 patients, and typically has two physician associates among his staff of 50. Photo via YouTube
Leah Hollins and Kathy MacNeil prepare for public forum in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Island Health board chair reflects on challenges and accomplishments of the past year

Leah Hollins Special to Black Press 2022 challenged publicly-funded health-care systems locally…

  • Dec 28, 2022
Leah Hollins and Kathy MacNeil prepare for public forum in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Port Hardy Hospital will have no overnight emergency department for 18 days. (Island Health photo)

18-day overnight emergency department closure announced for Port Hardy Hospital

Port McNeill Hospital to remain open 24/7, unless otherwise announced as staffing shortages continue

Port Hardy Hospital will have no overnight emergency department for 18 days. (Island Health photo)
Sarah Fennell, along with several Greater Victoria parents, is speaking out after paying a $1,100 deposit for a daycare spot. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Saanich daycare kerfuffle reveals dire state of childcare in Greater Victoria

Non-refundable deposit not returned once parents learned of provider’s criminal history

Sarah Fennell, along with several Greater Victoria parents, is speaking out after paying a $1,100 deposit for a daycare spot. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Black Press Media file

North Island emergency rooms continue to face overnight closures

Island Health is working on recruitment and strategies to secure additional nursing coverage

Black Press Media file
Island Health’s new chief medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson outside Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Island Health’s new top medical officer eyes toxic drug crisis, health inequities

Dr. Reka Gustafson speaks on her goals to recover from the pandemic and more

Island Health’s new chief medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson outside Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Dr. Prean Armogam is speaking out on the North Island health-care crisis. (Prean Armogam photo)

North Island doctor speaks out on the region’s unfolding health-care crisis

Dr. Armogam acknowledged there is a serious staffing shortage currently going on across Canada

Dr. Prean Armogam is speaking out on the North Island health-care crisis. (Prean Armogam photo)
Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. An increase in toxic drug poisonings prompted Island Health to extend an overdose advisory for Greater Victoria on Aug. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Overdose advisory extended in Greater Victoria

Island Health says there’s an increased risk of drug poisonings in the region

Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. An increase in toxic drug poisonings prompted Island Health to extend an overdose advisory for Greater Victoria on Aug. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
Island Health has warned that the region’s drug overdose incidents are increasing. It’s recommended that users get their drugs tested at Substance UVic, use a safe injection site, carry naloxone, and stagger their use with a friend. (File - Shutterstock.com)

A new highly toxic drug mix hasn’t emerged in Sooke yet, say Mounties

Island Health urges users to take precautions

Island Health has warned that the region’s drug overdose incidents are increasing. It’s recommended that users get their drugs tested at Substance UVic, use a safe injection site, carry naloxone, and stagger their use with a friend. (File - Shutterstock.com)
From left to right: Logan, Jason, Rosemary and Michelle Smith revisited Jeneece Place after the family had two stints at the house when both children were born prematurely. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Families and Victoria General nurses reunited at Jeneece Place

Annual event allows families who had children in the neonatal unit to reconnect with hospital staff

From left to right: Logan, Jason, Rosemary and Michelle Smith revisited Jeneece Place after the family had two stints at the house when both children were born prematurely. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)