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Health Stories from Winter 2021-22
 
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In this edition, we welcome spring's warmer weather and lighter days with a variety of health stories and resources. From supports for healthy aging, using art as a way to cope with grief and new supports as part of B.C.'s influenza immunization program; read about work underway in our health-care system to support patients throughout the province.

 

 

 
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BC Seniors' Guide a Key Resource of Information for Older Adults

The BC Seniors' Guide is a resource to help us all plan for and live a healthy lifestyle as we age. Now in its 12th edition, the guide includes new sections and has been translated into more languages – most recently into Tagalog and Hindi in January 2022 – making it more accessible than ever before.

 

 

 

1515 Blanshard Art Gallery Artist Profiles

As part of a continuing series, we share profiles of talented artists whose works are part of the art galleries at the Ministry of Health. This time, we feature an artist who channeled her grief into creating a beautiful and impactful memorial for her son.

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Transforming Influenza Immunization in B.C.

Last fall, the Province launched the largest influenza campaign in provincial history – including expanded coverage for British Columbians and improvements to how vaccines were delivered to pharmacies throughout the province to better support patients. Here’s a snapshot of this milestone season.

Coming soon...
Stay tuned for the spring edition of our newsletter where we will feature the final article in our three-part series exploring how BC PharmaCare helps British Columbians pay for prescription drugs and medical devices. Till then, read part one and part two.

 

 

 

RESOURCES
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Nutrition Month

This March is the 40th annual Nutrition Month. This year’s theme – ingredients for a healthier tomorrow – considers how the food choices we make today influence our future heath, the health of our communities and the planet. Check HealthLink BC for more information on healthy food or try using the Nutrition Month recipe e-book which contains 15 recipes selected by dietitians from across the country. 

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Trans Care BC

International Transgender Day of Visibility is recognized on March 31 each year. It is an opportunity to celebrate trans, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people and raise awareness about the ongoing challenges people in these communities face. We want to highlight the work of Trans Care BC to promote gender-affirming care for trans, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people across the province. This Provincial Health Services Authority program supports equitable and accessible care, surgical planning and community support. 

PARTNER SNAPSHOT
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St. Paul's Patients World's First to Undergo New Type of Heart Surgery

A St. Paul's Hospital cardiac surgeon has pioneered and performed a minimally invasive surgery on patients with serious heart-valve issues, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery and leading to quicker recuperation. Over two days in mid-January, Dr. Cheung successfully implanted a device known as a transcatheter tricuspid valve into four patients – the first people in the world to undergo the surgery.

 

 

 
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Innovative Surgery Lets Patients Recover at Home

When Shelby’s orthopedic surgeon told her she would be able to sleep in her own bed the night of her partial knee replacement surgery, she was ecstatic. And, because the hospital did not need to find a bed for her, she was able to get her surgery much sooner. This was made possible thanks to innovative planning and two enthusiastic surgeons, Dr. Chris Dusik and Dr. David Cruickshank, who proposed the idea of a day-care joint program for their patients. 

 

 

 
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A Heartfelt Thanks: “I am alive because of four people from the BC Ambulance Service”

Doug Bigelow experienced a heart attack in Vernon this past January. Thanks to a BC Emergency Health Services pilot program in the Okanagan and the quick action of paramedics and a call taker, Doug survived. 

 

 

 
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Mobile Health Unit Bridges Gap Between Health-Care Services and Most Vulnerable

Since May 2020, the Mobile Outreach Unit for Health and Support Services (affectionately known as “The Moose” for its acronym MOUHSS) has made a huge health impact in the Campbell River community. The brightly coloured RV drives in the downtown area three days a week at specific locations and helps bridge the gaps in health services for people who are not accessing them. Sometimes the Moose becomes the first step in a person’s healing journey to accessing mental health care. 

 

 

 
Ministry News
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