Bill Maher interviewing Erin Brockovich

Above tables depict the THM levels in the Kalamalka and the Duteau Creek water sources. Note the faint green line indicating the maximum safe levels recommended by health officials.

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School district holds second meeting on pellet plant

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by  Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Aug 27, 2014 at 8:00 PM

The Vernon School District will hold a second meeting about the proposed pellet plant in Lavington.

Trustees decided Wednesday to hold another meeting Sept. 2 on the topic after a request came from parents concerned about the potential impact a pellet facility would have on the health of Lavington Elementary students.

"Comments will be restricted to safety," said Bill Turanski, board chairperson.

"We have no jurisdiction over whether the District of Coldstream did the right thing or not (with rezoning the property)."

On Wednesday, trustees received a presentation from Pinnacle Renewable Energy, which is proposing the pellet plant in conjunction with Tolko Industries.

The Sept. 2 meeting will be at 4 p.m. at the school board office.

Look for more in Friday's Morning Star.

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My impression of the new VJH.

Hello Everyone!                       

I had an opportunity to inspect the new, modern hospital of ours and found it very nice. All the nurses, doctors and every body else were pleasant, professional and most helpful. I arrived at 6:05 AM and I was back home at 11:30 AM. I wish to thank all the staff who were so nice to me and made my stay a relaxed occasion in spite of the circumstances. My minor surgery went well and I should be ready for the new year.  

Don't get sick but if you do be reassured that you will be in excellent hands.

Gyula.

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Flu clinics schedule.

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Mayor Garlick speaking at the Hospital Rally.

Mayor Garlick of Coldstream, speaking at the Hospital Rally on Monday, pointed out the facts that although most of the hospital is founded at 60% by the Provincial Government, the two upper floors were 100% founded by local taxpayers. He urged people to remain involved and keep reminding provincial politicians of the need to open and staff the two upper floors.

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Readers write - Polson Tower Petition.

Hello Everyone!

The 100 day countdown is on for the Polson Tower completion (set for late Sept. 2011). We need the two shelled in floors completed Now! Now, before the workers go away and it costs even more to get them back. The overcrowding is 'chronic', it is not just a one time thing. People are moving to the North Okanagan, the population statistics show an increase in the elderly, and a corresponding increase in need for hospital acute care beds and medical services. The statistics have demonstrated it over and over ... It is the North Okanagan's turn to receive the funding for beds!!!

The petition urging completion of the two floors of the new hospital tower is online at the Coldstream Municipality website so you can print it off and collect more signatures if you wish.

Please – if you haven’t already – sign the petition and submit it to the Coldstream Municipal Hall or City of Vernon...

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Health Bulletin! -- West Nile Virus info.

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Does political patronage exist?

Earlier, we reported on Kevin Falcon record of giving key board appointments his friend and ally Chris Gardner. First, it was the B.C. Ferry Authority and now it's the Fraser Health Authority. So what makes Mr. Gardner so indispensable? Isn't this little more than political patronage? Those are the questions we had for the minister as he made his way into this today's government caucus meeting.

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This is the same minister who recently proposed that BC should get into the "medical tourism" business since we do not utilize our operating rooms to capacity (one might wonder why that is).

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Vernon Operational Review Paves the Way for 2011 New Patient Care Tower

KELOWNA – Interior Health has received the report of Medical Management Consulting which conducted a review of the operational services of Vernon Jubilee Hospital and the services offered in the communities of the North Okanagan.

“The review is very timely as Interior Health, physicians and staff plan for opening Vernon Jubilee Hospital’s new patient care tower in 2011,” notes Pat Furey, Health Services Administrator for the North Okanagan. “This will be a collaborative process going forward. Interior Health, together with our physician team, is committed to building on our strengths and working towards an exciting future.”

The scope of work included identifying resources and utilization rates (community, acute and residential care) within North Okanagan communities including Revelstoke and Salmon Arm, and comparing these with the other five large sites in Interior Health (Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, Trail and Cranbrook) and with two other external comparison sites Langley Memorial Hospital and Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock.

The report has identified a number of different areas where administration, staff and physicians can focus to build for the future:

Review bed supply and requirement projections
Examine whether more inpatient cases can safely be converted to day procedures
Establish an OR Management Committee with physicians, administration, nursing and support staff
Create an OR Utilization Committee with OR access based upon set criteria including surgeons’ wait times
Establish a task group to examine emergency surgery volumes
Strengthen and develop medical leadership

“We recognize there are challenges,” says Dr. Doug Hardy, Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee. “The North Okanagan is a large and growing area, with a high number of people over age 65. Vernon Jubilee consistently manages high occupancy rates and we know this places a strain on the physicians and staff. However we intend this to be a collaborative process and we will address the report’s recommendations together with Interior Health so we are on the best possible footing when the new tower opens.”

An Implementation Committee has been established to oversee progress over the coming months; the Implementation Committee has representation from VJH physicians and Interior Health administration. A project manager has also been appointed and will begin work with the Implementation Committee immediately.

The report is available on the Interior Health website at: http://www.interiorhealth.ca/information.aspx?id=10816

Or by following this path: Information > Accountability > Reports > Reviews, Backgrounders and Planning Documents > Operational Review – VJH.

For more information:
Karen Cairns, IH Communications
250-862-7228

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IMPORTANT: Combined H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Clinics Resume Across Interior Health Next Week

Combined H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Clinics are resuming across the region the week of November 16, 2009.

“Based on vaccine supply, we are able to resume offering the H1N1 vaccine to our priority groups at mass clinics across Interior Health next week,” says Dr. Andrew Larder, Senior Medical Health Officer for Interior Health. “There will be close to 50 clinics held across the region next week and I would encourage all that meet the eligibility criteria and have not yet been vaccinated, to do so at a clinic in their area.”

The eligibility criteria is expected to expand for next week’s clinics and will be announced later today or tomorrow.

In keeping with Provincial recommendations, the following priority groups will continue receiving their H1N1 vaccinations first:

· Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy
· Children 6 months to 59 months of age
· Persons less than 65 years with chronic conditions
· Persons residing in remote communities, including all Aboriginal populations
· Healthcare workers involved in responding to pandemic influenza
· Household contacts/care providers of infants from birth to 6 months when the household contact/care provider is less than 65 years
· Household contacts/care providers of persons who are immunocompromised when BOTH the immunocompromised person AND the household contact/care provider are less than 65 years.

Find the Clinic Nearest You

The times, dates and locations of the clinic nearest you – where you can get both the H1N1 vaccine and a seasonal flu shot – will be posted, when available at:

· Flu Clinic Locator at www.interiorhealth.ca or www.immunizebc.ca
· HealthLink BC, dial 8-1-1, available 24 hours a day
· Your local Public Health Centre.

Both H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccines are also available from many physicians and walk-in clinics, and in the coming weeks from some pharmacies.

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Health issues -- PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

URGENT! Combined H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Clinics for Tomorrow & Saturday—Call to Eligible Residents to Attend!

Clinics scheduled for Friday and Saturday will continue to provide H1N1 vaccination to those at highest risk of serious complications (see below) from H1N1 flu virus, as well as the seasonal flu shot to those 65 years and older and those at risk of health complications from the flu.

Communities with clinics in the next two days:
Armstrong Friday November 13th
Castlegar Friday November 13th
Cranbrook Friday November 13th
Hedley Friday November 13th
Kamloops Saturday November 14th
Kelowna Saturday November 14th
Trail Friday November 13th
Williams Lake Friday November 13th

In keeping with Provincial recommendations, only the following priority groups will receive their H1N1 vaccinations at this clinic:

· Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy*(See note below)
· Children 6 months – 59 months of age (less than 5 years old)
· Persons under age 65 with chronic conditions
· Persons residing in remote communities; including all Aboriginal populations
· Healthcare workers involved in responding to pandemic influenza
· Household contacts and care providers of infants from birth to 6 months of age when the contact/care provider is less than 65 years
· Household contacts and care providers of persons who are immunocompromised when BOTH the immunocompromised person AND the household contact/care provider are less than 65 years.

Note: An expansion to the above eligibility criteria is expected for next week’s clinics and will be announced in a future PSA.

*Pregnant Women:

A limited supply of unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine began arriving in Interior Health the week of Nov 9th. Pregnant women are encouraged to contact their health care provider to discuss and/or receive the vaccine, as this vaccine stock is being routed to physicians providing prenatal and obstetrical care.

The unadjuvanted vaccine will not be provided through public clinics at this time.

To Find the Clinic Nearest You and details about times, dates and locations of the clinic nearest you the following week – where you can get both the H1N1 vaccine and a seasonal flu shot – will be posted by end of day Wednesday at:

· Flu Clinic Locator at www.interiorhealth.ca or www.immunizebc.ca
· HealthLink BC, dial 8-1-1, available 24 hours a day
· Your local Public Health Centre

.For media please contact:

Lannea Parfitt
Public Health Communications 250-870-5898

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Important Update on Interior Health’s H1N1 Vaccine Campaign

NEWS RELEASE

Public Health Mass Clinics:

The Canadian shortage of H1N1 vaccine is resulting in a reduction in the number of Public Health mass clinics that will be held for the week of November 9th.

The H1N1 vaccine shipment expected for next week will be significantly smaller than what has been received in the past two weeks. Given the reduced vaccine availability, Interior Health will only be offering combination H1N1 and seasonal immunization clinics in four communities—Lillooet, Nakusp, Sparwood, and Princeton.

The decision to offer clinics in these communities was based on available vaccine supply, their proximity away from larger clinics in their geographic area, and because they have not had a flu clinic in their community yet. These clinics will be for high-risk individuals only that meet the eligibility criteria for H1N1 vaccine and seasonal vaccine (if applicable.) The details on dates, times and locations for these clinics are still being worked out, and, when available, will be posted on our website at www.interiorhealth.ca. All previous planned seasonal clinics for this week will also be cancelled.

For the week November 9-14, people in the highest risk category, living in communities where there will not be a mass clinic, should be directed to check with their family physician or walk-in clinics to see if they have some remaining vaccine available.

If significant vaccine re-supply does recommence by mid-November, then we would once again re-establish Public Health mass immunization clinics across IH. If vaccine supply is adequate and if indicated by BC’s Provincial Health Officer, these clinics would be available for all the general public to be immunized, not simply high-risk individuals.

Pregnant Women:

A limited supply of unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine is expected to begin arriving in Interior Health the week of Nov 9th. Pregnant women are encouraged to contact their health care provider to discuss and/or receive the vaccine, as this vaccine stock is being routed to physicians providing prenatal and obstetrical care. The unadjuvanted vaccine will not be provided through public clinics at this time.

Inquiries:

Lannea Parfitt
Public Health Communications
(250) 870-5898

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Killer flu strikes

A teenaged Etobicoke hockey player, who recently earned his assistant captain's letter, died yesterday from the H1N1 virus.

Evan Frustaglio, 13, was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital after collapsing at home just before noon yesterday, his grieving dad said.

Paul Frustaglio said the coroner's office last night confirmed his son died of the virus.

The so-called swine flu has already claimed 29 lives in Ontario, including several people in the GTA, during the first wave of the pandemic this spring. read more

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT -- Seasonal Flu Clinics for Seniors Start this Week

Free Seasonal flu vaccine clinics for seniors 65 and older and those living in long-term care facilities ONLY will run from October 13 to November 9.

“We are offering the vaccine to the elderly as they are more susceptible to serious complications and hospitalization from influenza” says Dr. Paul Hasselback, Medical Health Officer with Interior Health. “Seasonal Flu clinics for other at-risk groups will begin in early 2010, following H1N1 vaccine clinics for the general population.

The vaccine offered to seniors in October contains three strains of seasonal flu based on worldwide trends tracked by the World Health Organization. It will not protect you against the H1N1 flu virus. “Getting the seasonal flu vaccine is a safe, effective way for seniors to stay healthy and avoid serious illness” adds Hasselback. “Hand washing and staying home when sick will also help stop spreading disease to others.”

Seniors Flu Clinic Information

To find a seasonal flu clinic, visit the Flu Locator at www.immunizebc.ca, or call your local Public Health Centre, located under Health Authority in the blue pages of the phonebook.

Please note these clinics are for free seasonal flu shots for those 65 years and older and residents of long-term care facilities. Free seasonal flu clinics for those under 65 with chronic health conditions will be held later in the year or early in 2010, once the planned clinics for H1N1 are complete.

A reminder to seniors 65 years and older that they should also consider getting a pneumococcal immunization if they have not received one previously, which is available free of charge. Contact your local health unit to book an appointment.

This vaccine helps protect against pneumonia and offers additional protection from flu complications.

For information on the flu, visit HealthLink BC online at www.healthlinkbc.ca or call HealthLink BC toll-free at 8-1-1, 24-hours a day to speak with a registered nurse or consult with a pharmacist.

Media Information:

Lannea Parfitt
Public Health Communications Officer (250) 870-5898

Dr. Paul Hasselback
Medical Health Officer (250) 868-7818

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Man at centre of health scandal was under house arrest when hired

A key player accused of fraud in the health-contracts scandal was under house arrest and prohibited from handling other people's money when he was given a job overseeing a $9-million budget at Fraser Health.

Jim Taylor was hired as director of communications systems at the Fraser Valley health region in April 2000 -- a month after he was sentenced to two years less a day for defrauding the White Rock Sea Festival Society, which went bankrupt.

As part of his conditional sentence, Taylor was not to have signing authority except for his own personal bank account.

His conviction was heavily reported by the media at the time and the details would have been available in a simple Google search or criminal record check.

Fraser Health Authority officials say they weren't involved in hiring Taylor as he was appointed before the individual health regions merged to become Fraser Health. read more

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Bedtime (hospital?) reading for the strong at heart.

Do you want to know where our health care dollars go? Take a few minutes to find out. Here are some links you may find educational.

Court documents reveal allegations of fraud among public officials

Fraser Health Authority hired man prohibited from handling other people's money

Lessons unlearned

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