Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

Health science professionals who work with children have been receiving employer notifications regarding the requirement for criminal records checks. As a result of amendments to the Criminal Records Review Act which came into effect in January 2008, all employees who work with or have unsupervised access to children (under age 19) must undergo a criminal records check every five years...

The Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) is urging the Harper government to stop stalling and start working with provincial and territorial governments to bring in a universal public Pharmacare program. The coalition has sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper appealing for action following the release of a report laying out a formula for Pharmacare that would not only offer...

BC Health Coalition ACTION ALERT: Next month municipal governments from around the province will gather to address common issues and advance shared concerns at the Union of BC Municipalities AGM. The cities of Victoria and New Westminster have brought forward a resolution that calls on the province to stop the expansion of for-profit surgical and MRI/CT clinics. These businesses lead...

For immediate release Despite strong community opposition and media attention, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority continues to dismantle the outpatient Domestic Violence Program at Vancouver General Hospital. The 18-year-old program is slated to close at the end of this week. HSA President Reid Johnson said the sudden closure of this program puts vulnerable women at risk. -In-patient care is very...

For immediate release Reid Johnson, president of Health Sciences Association, today urged the Vancouver Island Health Authority not to waste time conducting experiments in ideology when they could be taking action to reduce MRI wait times immediately. Johnson was commenting on VIHAs decision to seek bids to perform 6000 MRI scans in private facilities outside the public system, where MRI...

A small number of patients have begun to arrive today at the special unit prepared for the emergency medical care of migrants from the MV Sun Sea. The Vancouver Island Health Authority and the health care unions have issued a second joint bulletin to update health care workers. Click here to view second joint bulletin HSA thanks members responding to...

BC Health Coalition ACTION ALERT:Dear Friend of Medicare, Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) has begun to shut the doors to its much-needed Domestic Violence Program after a sudden announcement last week. The well-respected outpatient program has been serving the community for 18 years. Some 25 people experiencing violent relationships access the program each week for counselling, support, and education as well...

Over the past few days, VIHA has been working with health care unions to provide information and address concerns in preparation for receiving refugees requiring emergency medical care. Canadian officials confirmed today that 490 refugees are aboard a vessel approaching the BC coast. The old emergency department at Victoria General Hospital has been temporarily reopened to provide screening, triage, assessment...

Less than a week after a sudden announcement to emergency room staff, Vancouver General Hospital has already begun dismantling a much-needed Domestic Violence Program that has been serving the community for 18 years. The outpatient Domestic Violence Program serves 20-25 clients per week, providing counselling for patients experiencing violent relationships. The program also provides support, education and referrals for child...

Join the Fight HST RallyAugust 8 ... Stanley Park Entrance , Vancouver Download flyer