Island Health

This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP)

Island Health offering monkeypox vaccines to those who are most at risk

Appointments available in Nanaimo, Victoria and Comox Valley the week of July 25

 

Port McNeill Hospital. (Gazette file photo)

Primary health care `collapsing’ in B.C. rural communities, critics say

ER closures on northern Vancouver Island called a symptom of larger problem

 

This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Portuguese health authorities confirmed five cases of monkeypox in young men, marking an unusual outbreak in Europe of a disease typically limited to Africa. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP)

Health officials confirm 1st case of monkeypox in Vancouver Island region

Risk to general public ‘very low’

 

Vancouver Island residents who became mothers between March 2020 and March 2022 are encouraged to take part in a study into their experiences. (Black Press Media file photo)

Study explores pandemic experiences of new moms on Vancouver Island

Master’s student diving into where mothers found resiliency, community

Vancouver Island residents who became mothers between March 2020 and March 2022 are encouraged to take part in a study into their experiences. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ucluelet’s medical clinic will stay open thanks to support from Island Health. (Westerly file photo)

‘Sigh of relief’ in Ucluelet as Island Health steps in to keep only health clinic open

Health authority will contribute to overhead costs, develop new primary care plan for the region

Ucluelet’s medical clinic will stay open thanks to support from Island Health. (Westerly file photo)
Cameron Webster, the subject of the Follow My Brain documentary, receives his Island Health Community Service Award on May 3. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Man in mental illness recovery, teenage foundation founder earn Island Health awards

Recipients’ work helps articulate stigma in community, says Island Health director

Cameron Webster, the subject of the Follow My Brain documentary, receives his Island Health Community Service Award on May 3. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
The View Royal Surgical Centre will be acquired by Island Health. (Google Maps)

Island Health acquires private surgical centres in View Royal, Nanaimo

Move expected to add 4,600 surgeries, endoscopies annually on the Island

The View Royal Surgical Centre will be acquired by Island Health. (Google Maps)
B.C. Emergency Health Services and Island Health have announced a partnership that will make blood for transfusions readily available for air ambulance paramedics. (Photo submitted)

Blood becoming ‘available at all times’ for trauma patients on Vancouver Island

Island Health and B.C. Emergency Health Services announce partnership

B.C. Emergency Health Services and Island Health have announced a partnership that will make blood for transfusions readily available for air ambulance paramedics. (Photo submitted)
Island Health has a supply of Pfizer COVID-19 Paxlovid pills, one of two new therapeutic treatments being used for high-risk patients and people not fully vaccinated. The drug was approved by Health Canada on Jan. 17. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-HO, Pfizer)

New COVID therapies make a world of difference for Island Health patients

Outpatient clinics in Victoria, Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Campbell River offering treatments

Island Health has a supply of Pfizer COVID-19 Paxlovid pills, one of two new therapeutic treatments being used for high-risk patients and people not fully vaccinated. The drug was approved by Health Canada on Jan. 17. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-HO, Pfizer)
Six residents at The Heights at Mt. View long-term care home have tested positive for COVID-19 as of March 1, according to Island Health. (Google Streetview)

3 new Vancouver Island care home outbreaks begin, 4 others end

New COVID-19 outbreaks in Saanich, Salt Spring Island

Six residents at The Heights at Mt. View long-term care home have tested positive for COVID-19 as of March 1, according to Island Health. (Google Streetview)
Island Health is shifting the focus of its mass COVID-19 vaccine clinics to offering shots for children aged 5 to 11. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health reworks COVID-19 vaccine clinic schedules, shifts focus to kids

Operating hours, days now changed to fit local needs

Island Health is shifting the focus of its mass COVID-19 vaccine clinics to offering shots for children aged 5 to 11. (Black Press Media file photo)
Two residents at Selkirk Seniors Village in Victoria have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting Island Health to declare an outbreak. (Google Streetview)

Island Health declares new care home outbreaks in Victoria, Chemainus

Selkirk Seniors Village and Chemainus Health Care Centre impacted

Two residents at Selkirk Seniors Village in Victoria have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting Island Health to declare an outbreak. (Google Streetview)
Dr. Richard Stanwick spoke with press at the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Begbie Hall in Victoria regarding his retirement on Jan. 27. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Indoor smoking ban, pristine drinking water among Island top doc’s achievements

Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health’s chief medical health officer, officially retires this week

Dr. Richard Stanwick spoke with press at the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Begbie Hall in Victoria regarding his retirement on Jan. 27. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Staffing challenges driven by Omicron cases numbers have significantly impacted the ability of Island Health to provide safe, quality care, health authority president Kathy McNeil said. (Black Press Media file photo)

Omicron-driven staffing shortages lead to service interruptions in Island Health facilities

Elective scheduled surgeries postponed again, psychiatric emergency care potentially affected

Staffing challenges driven by Omicron cases numbers have significantly impacted the ability of Island Health to provide safe, quality care, health authority president Kathy McNeil said. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dr. Richard Stanwick speaks inside the new vaccine clinic at Archie Browning Sports Centre on Jan. 6. His retirement as Island Health chief medical health officer has been delayed by a month in the face of unprecedented COVID-19 cases. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health’s top doc delays retirement, citing Omicron wave

Chief medical health officer Dr. Richard Stanwick to remain in role until Jan. 31

Dr. Richard Stanwick speaks inside the new vaccine clinic at Archie Browning Sports Centre on Jan. 6. His retirement as Island Health chief medical health officer has been delayed by a month in the face of unprecedented COVID-19 cases. (Black Press Media file photo)
Langford resident Shelley Robinson says a lack of callback for a COVID-19 PCR test appointment from Island Health has left her feeling scared and unsupported. (Courtesy of Shelley Robinson)

Cystic fibrosis patient critical of Island Health COVID testing process

Woman receives no callback for test appoinment after 5 days, despite vulnerable health status

Langford resident Shelley Robinson says a lack of callback for a COVID-19 PCR test appointment from Island Health has left her feeling scared and unsupported. (Courtesy of Shelley Robinson)
A COVID-19 testing centre in Victoria, pictured in October. In a new change, residents who miss calls from Island Health’s COVID booking centre will no longer be contacted again to schedule a test. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)

Island Health halts second calls for COVID test booking, cites ‘unprecedented demand’

Call centre employees would previously contact residents a second time to book virus test

A COVID-19 testing centre in Victoria, pictured in October. In a new change, residents who miss calls from Island Health’s COVID booking centre will no longer be contacted again to schedule a test. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)
Sara Maksymowicz worries about the effect of cuts to non-emergency care on the South Island for adults facing eating disorders. (Courtesy Sara Maksymowicz)

‘A system of failures:’ Adult eating disorder services quietly dropped on south Island

Non-emergency resources have been a lifeline for Greater Victoria residents

Sara Maksymowicz worries about the effect of cuts to non-emergency care on the South Island for adults facing eating disorders. (Courtesy Sara Maksymowicz)
The Omicron variant has been identified in a COVID-19 cluster associated with University of Victoria students. (Photo courtesy of UVic)

UVic COVID-19 cluster climbs to 124, including 4 listed as the Omicron variant

University moved all fall semester exams online Sunday amid rising case numbers

The Omicron variant has been identified in a COVID-19 cluster associated with University of Victoria students. (Photo courtesy of UVic)
A new mail-in program initiated by the University of Victoria allows Vancouver Island drug users in centres without drug-testing facilities to send in samples to be rapid-tested for toxic substances. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island University)

Vancouver Islanders can now have opioids, other drugs lab-checked by mail

UVic-led drug checking project provides anonymous online results within a day of receiving sample

A new mail-in program initiated by the University of Victoria allows Vancouver Island drug users in centres without drug-testing facilities to send in samples to be rapid-tested for toxic substances. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island University)