Health care

BC Office: Seniors Fact Sheet Series

Mar 18, 2013
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Here at the CCPA, we are exploring how we can ensure our elders have the resources and supports needed to retain their health and dignity as they grow older. Many British Columbians wonder if our health system will be able to provide a high standard of care to the whole population as the baby boomer… View Article

BC governments extends outsourced health information management despite issues raised by Auditor General

Mar 11, 2013
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British Columbia’s government today announced it had extended its agreement with Maximus BC, a US subsidiary corporation, to manage BC’s health information for another five years. The $264 million contract will run from 2015 until 2020. The original contract began in 2005.  That ten year deal cost $324 million.  On a comparable basis the new five year… View Article

Seniors Advocate position a mixed bag of hopeful and disappointing

Feb 21, 2013
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A year ago (February 2012), the province’s Ombudsperson released a comprehensive report addressing the crisis in BC’s home and community care system, including 176 recommendations for a creating a more accessible and accountable system. The centrepiece of the provincial government’s response was the announcement that it would create an Office of the Seniors Advocate, following… View Article

Spot the Seniors: 2013 Budget Edition

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As mentioned in last week’s Speech from the Throne and Tuesday’s 2013 provincial budget, BC’s population is aging. It’s projected the seniors population in BC will double over the next 25 years – meaning more than 30% of our population will be over the age of 65 by 2036. While the budget does mention aspects… View Article

Making the case for public dental care

Jan 10, 2013
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There is a classic episode of the Simpsons, where Mr Burns cuts the dental plan for the nuclear power plant. With Lisa needing braces, Homer becomes a union organizer and leads a strike against the plant to get back the dental plan. I thought about that episode when had to get a root canal this week. Because… View Article

Will a flu shot keep you healthy? (hint: probably not)

Oct 2, 2012
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BC’s Provincial Health Officer Dr Perry Kendall announced in August that BC will be adopting a policy mandating flu shots for health care workers.  Or they have to wear masks. This is likely  the most aggressive flu prevention policy in Canada, one which could set the trend for the rest of the country. But Dr… View Article

Getting it Wrong For Seniors in British Columbia

Sep 27, 2012
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Seniors and their families need and should have access to useful information when they are making critical decisions about residential care and throughout the period of residence in facilities. — BC Ombudsperson, The Best of Care: Getting It Right for Seniors in British Columbia (Part 1) Mass replacement of staff can occur when facility operators switch… View Article