Opinion: Profit over safety = recipe for disaster
On February 3, a 150-car train carrying toxic chemicals derailed near East Palestine, Ohio. Close to half the town’s 4,700 residents had to evacuate as deadly gas and smoke fouled the air and chemicals contaminated waterways. Fortunately, no people were killed (although at least 3,500 fish perished), unlike in the devastating...
B.C. renews use of emergency operation centres to support patients, hospitals
Beginning Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, emergency operation centres (EOCs) will be reactivated in health authorities to ensure patients continue to have access to the hospital care services they need as respiratory illness season continues in B.C. Activating EOCs is another proactive step in the Province’s plan to provide enhanced ...
Five ways to avoid pain and injury when starting a new exercise regime
By Lewis Macgregor, Lecturer in Sport, Health & exercise Science, University of Stirling (UK) Getting in the habit of exercising isn’t easy. Not only is finding the time to exercise a major deterrent for people, the fear of aches, pain and injuries is also a reason that people put off starting a new exercise regime. But...
Minister’s statement on mental-health supports for the holiday season
Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following year-end statement regarding mental-health supports during the holiday season: “The holiday season is a time for celebrations, but for many, it can also be the season of loneliness, stress and difficult memories. “British Columbians have...
Lower Columbia Community Health Centre Proposal Gathers Steam - Resident Input Requested
A committed group of doctors, nurse practitioners, and community members are working together to bring a Community Health Centre (CHC) to the Lower Columbia region. The Lower Columbia CHC Network Working Group is proposing a CHC that includes 3-4 clinics to serve Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Montrose, Fruitvale, and RDKB Areas...
RDKB concerned regarding possible closure of ER at Boundary Hospital
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is sounding alarm bells about a possible closure of the emergency room at Boundary Regional Hospital in Grand Forks. In a media release regarding the possible closure Wednesday, RDKB officials are officials calling for urgent action from the Provincial government to stop this decision...
Good Grief! Training support course addresses loss and grief
The Greater Trail Hospice Society (GTHS) will be running a series of Grief Support Training workshops in November aimed at those journeying with people who are grieving or those who work, or want to work, with those who have experienced loss and grief.“Grief is natural, it’s a process we all have to handle at some point in ...
At least 10,000 lives lost to illicit drugs since declaration of public health emergency
At least 1,095 British Columbians are believed to have been lost to the toxic drug supply between January and June 2022, according to preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service. “The ever-increasing toxicity of the unregulated, illicit drug market is taking a heart-breaking toll on the lives and well-being of members...
OP/ED: Demand the 9-1-1 Service You Deserve
An Open Letter to all British Columbians: As British Columbians, we all rely on certain core services being available at the most critical moments of our lives. Because when they aren’t, an urgent situation can become catastrophic. We are taught from a young age that, when there’s an emergency, we should reach for the nearest...
Seniors Advocate urges seniors and caregivers to prepare for rising temperatures
Hot and dry weather is forecast for many regions of B.C. and rising temperatures may put vulnerable seniors at risk. Currently, forecasted temperatures are not expected to rise to the level of an extreme heat emergency, however, they are forecast to be higher than normal and will create heat wave conditions in certain areas...
