Coast Reporter: In a Dec. 23 community update, the Sunshine Coast’s Overdose Prevention Task Force said hospital emergency room health-care professionals will be prescribing blister packs of the opioid replacement drug suboxone starting in 2021. “This time of year has our minds on those who are less fortunate and those who have been impacted the most by COVID-19 and the opioid crisis,” said the update.
Read the storyIn the News
Overdose prevention task force says suboxone coming to emergency room
SC COVID Task Force doctors honoured as ‘unsung heroes’
Coast Reporter: The B.C. College of Family Physicians has recognized members of the Sunshine Coast COVID Physician Task Force with College Coins. Roberts Creek resident Dr. Michael Klein, family practice and paediatrics emeritus professor at UBC, nominated the individual doctors and they were officially recognized by the regulatory body on Dec. 7, along with 36 other family physicians across the province.
Read the storyDishing out holiday cheer at the COVID testing site in Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News: Vehicles adorned in holiday decorations drove through the Ridge Meadows COVID Testing Site on Monday for an impromptu thank you parade. Staff members from the Ridge Meadows Division of Family Practice put on the parade to thank the front-line workers for their efforts. “We are so thankful for the work of the Fraser Health staff at the testing site,” said Division of Family Practice executive director, Treena Innes.
Read the storyNew COVID-19 outbreak at Burnaby Hospital
Voiceonline.ca: Fraser Health on Tuesday declared a new outbreak at Burnaby Hospital after evidence of transmission in a medicine unit. Three patients at Burnaby Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19. The outbreak is limited to the medicine unit, which is temporarily closed to admissions. The hospital, including the Emergency Department, remains fully operational.
Read the storySurrey private school closes after 30 COVID-19 cases confirmed
CBC News: Fraser Health has confirmed an outbreak at Regent Christian Academy, a private school in Surrey, B.C. The health authority confirmed Friday that 30 positive COVID-19 cases had been confirmed at the school, which offers primary, middle, secondary and international school programs. Fraser Health said in a release that the school will be closing and switching to remote learning until Dec. 18, when students go on their winter breaks.
Read the storyLetters Dec. 9: Farming at Sandown; COVID-19 testing; playing nice
Times Colonist: Re: “Desperate for care, patients crash clinic’s website,” Dec. 3. To all the people who hoped to attach to our clinic, please be assured help is on the way. Health Care on Yates is a new team-based primary care clinic and despite our technical troubles, we will continue to accept new patients as expeditiously as possible.
Read the storyCOVID-19 test site up and running at Sun Peaks
CFJC Today: COVID-19 was first confirmed in Sun Peaks very shortly after the pandemic was declared in British Columbia. Since then, there have been several more cases reported amongst employees who travelled home from working at the resort. Those cases are part of the reason the Sun Peaks Health Centre and the municipality advocated for a COVID-19 testing site in the community.
Read the storyNew West residents can get medical care from new virtual clinic
New Westminster Record: New Westminster residents who don’t have a family doctor can get care from a new virtual medical clinic. The Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice has launched the clinic for patients in New Westminster and the Tri-Cities. It will give patients a virtual appointment with a family physician in the region. “With this service, we want to provide timely access to care for patients who might not have anywhere else to go,” said Dr. Nimeera Kassam, physician lead for the virtual clinic, in a press release from the Division of Family Practice.
Read the storyPacific Rim Hospice Society seeking feedback from Older Adults
Westerly News: Calling all Older Adults (55+) from Hesquiaht to Macoah, Tofino, Ucluelet and Area “C”: Pacific Rim Hospice Society in collaboration with the West Coast Senior Services Network would love to hear from you. A survey is underway to unearth ways to help Older Adults live healthier and happier at home in their west coast communities. Pacific Rim Hospice Society Research Assistant Janine Croxall said since launching the survey on Nov. 16 she has received 78 responses. She wants to connect with more Older Adults, especially those voices who aren’t being heard.
Read the storyNew geriatrics team to help seniors in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News: A new team in support of seniors’ health has been launched at the Ridge Meadows Wellness Centre. The Seniors Service Team was formed over the past year and is geared to improving the quality of life for pre-frail and frail, medically complex seniors. Prior to this team being formed elderly patients would be referred to the New Westminster or Abbotsford Geriatric Clinics.
Read the storyNew community centre in Summerland pegged at $60M
Penticton Herald: With all the bells and whistles included, building a new community health and wellness centre in Summerland is expected to cost $60 million, council heard Monday. Elected officials were presented with a draft needs assessment for the facility that was based on extensive public engagement efforts conducted by consultants and district staff over the past several months. Originally conceived as a replacement for the failing Summerland Aquatic and Fitness Centre, the project scope has expanded over time to potentially include a new high school gym, medical centre, tennis courts and daycare.
Read the storyFraser Health to open COVID-19 test collection centre in South Surrey on December 8
Voiceonline.ca: Fraser Health will open a new COVID-19 test collection centre in South Surrey on December 8 as part of its planned expansion to provide timely access to COVID-19 testing for those who are experiencing even mild symptoms.
Read the storyOpinion: We can’t just sit around waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine to save us
New Westminster Record: In February, when celebrating her 100th birthday with her family, my patient, Helen (not her real name) continued to thrive while managing her chronic health conditions. The pandemic changed all that. She wasn’t infected with COVID-19. Her assisted living facility made every effort to protect its residents. However, this meant an end to all social activities and visitors. By June, I learned of Helen’s profound functional decline. She had lost weight, fell frequently and was no longer able to stand on her own. Her daughter, an experienced nurse recognized that she was in a potentially irreversible decline.
Read the storyDelta council returns to virtual
Delta Optimist: The surge in COVID-19 cases has prompted Delta council to go back to having all its meetings available online-only for the public. The change was announced at council’s regular meeting on Monday when it was noted it’s going to be that way for the foreseeable future beginning Dec. 1.
Read the storyNew Okanagan Indian Band primary care clinic now accepting patients
Vernon Morning Star: A new primary care clinic on Okanagan Indian Band land is now accepting patients. Located at the OKIB Health Centre off Head of the Lake Road, the clinic aims to provide OKIB members with easier access to culturally safe care. The clinic has a doctor on reserve Tuesdays and Thursdays, and is open by appointment from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on those days.
Read the storyFraser Health declares COVID-19 outbreak over at Royal Columbian Hospital
Voiceonline.ca: Fraser Health on Wednesday declared the COVID-19 outbreak over at Royal Columbian Hospital. With the implementation of comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in acute sites, there are no longer any COVID-19 cases at this location, it said.
Read the storyA Look at the COVID-19 Testing Centre at KPU Langley Campus
The Runner: In an effort to join the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University has dedicated space for a testing centre at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Langley campus. The facility is a partnership between Fraser Health and the Langley Division of Family Practice, and is one of 11 centres throughout the region. It first opened in September and operates seven days a week, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, providing about 325 tests daily. It runs on a six-lane drive-through model, and while walk-in appointments are permitted, people are encouraged to book an appointment online.Testing capacity has doubled in Langley since it opened.
Read the storyGroup of doctors, midwives and nurses offering free online sessions to expectant mothers, new moms in the Kamloops-Thompson region
Castanet: A Kamloops-based maternity group has launched an online program to help families who recently had a baby and those who are expecting during COVID-19. Thompson Region Division of Family Practice, made up of doctors, midwives and registered nurses, is offering free Zoom education sessions, which cover topics like infant feeding, first aid and postpartum body health. Guest speakers, including a physiotherapist, lactation consultant and psychiatrist, will also bring maternity-related information to the sessions.
Read the storyCelebrate milestones, festivals and celebrations differently this year says Fraser Health
Delta Optimist: As COVID-19 cases continue to rapidly increase in the region, Fraser Health is asking people in our communities to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities from COVID-19 transmission by honouring momentous occasions differently this year. “It’s important to use good COVID-19 sense, follow the new provincial health officer orders that limit social interactions and travel, and find safe ways to observe the many cultural celebrations and festivals taking place at this time of the year,” said Fraser Health in a news release. “We know there are many occasions to be celebrated at this time of year, including Diwali and Karwa Chauth. We can honour these days and still keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”
Read the story3 new outdoor flu clinics set up in the Tri-Cities
Global News: Residents of the Tri-Cities wanting to get the flu shot now have three more outdoor clinics to choose from. The mass clinics will run until Thursday, Nov. 26 in the following locations:
- Port Moody – outside city hall
- Port Coquitlam – Hyde Creek Recreation Centre
- New Westminster – Canada Games Pool parking lot