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Homeless people who suffer from mental illness or addictions issues will benefit from a new, multi-agency Downtown Outreach Team in Victoria to help connect them with services including stable housing, addictions services, and vocational supports. Minister George Abbott (3rd from right) joins from left to right: Kim Taylor, Victoria Police Department, Karen Bahrey, Grace Fox and Shelley Thompson from VIHA, Alison Hanson from the Ministry of Solicitor General and Brett Stewart from the Victoria Police Department.
Planning for the outreach team started as a joint project between the B.C. ministries of Employment and Income Assistance, and Public Safety and Solicitor General, and the Victoria Police Department
(VPD) to address common clients in an integrated way. Following the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness last fall, this team received additional support with staffing and resources from the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and Our Place Society.
[News release] [Backgrounder]
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On December 14, 2007, the Province gave the green light for a new $18.8-million state-of-the-art emergency department at Victoria General Hospital, to benefit the growing population of south Vancouver Island. Pictured is Health Minister George Abbott with MLA for Saanich North and the Island and Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell (left) and Dr. Stephen Wheeler, director of emergency services and trauma for VIHA, who participated in an trauma demonstration at Victoria General Hospital. “A new, modern emergency department for Victoria General Hospital will triple the size of the current facility and will provide state-of-the-art emergency, trauma and pediatric care to patients on Vancouver Island,” said Abbott.
[News release] [Backgrounder]
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On November 30, Minister Abbott released a summary of the input received from thousands of British Columbians during the year-long Conversation on Health. "Our government will now examine these ideas and bring forward actions beginning next spring to improve our public health-care system now and to ensure that it is there for our children and grandchildren in the future," said Abbott.
Pictured left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Mary Polak, Parliamentary Secretary for the Conversation on Health. [News release] [Backgrounder]
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Secondary school students join Health Minister George Abbott and Education Minister Shirley Bond in a demonstration of the life-saving skill of CPR during CPR Awareness Month at the Legislature on November 22.
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On November 2, Minister Abbott launched Vancouver Coastal Health's annual influenza vaccination campaign. "Statistics tell us that only about half of people with chronic health conditions take the time to get vaccinated against influenza, well short of our target of 80 per cent," said Abbott. [News release]
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On November 2, Minister Abbott announced a new policy which covers the costs for alternative hip implants for eligible British Columbians. "This policy ensures that patients in B.C. will receive the implant that is medically required for them," said Abbott.
Pictured: Dr.
Ken Hughes, Chair of the Provincial Muskuloskeletal Council, shows Minister Abbott how an alternative hip implant works. [News release]
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On October 29, Minister Abbott announced $30 million in funding for a new cross-Canada Terry Fox Research Institute. The money will support the institute's headquarters in Vancouver's BC Cancer Agency building. "The Terry Fox Foundation and the BC Cancer Agency are recognized internationally for excellence and we are pleased to help to carry on Terry Fox's legacy," said Abbott. The new institute will be team-based, milestone-driven and with potential to impact the health outcomes of cancer patients within three to five years.
Pictured onscreen:
Dr. Victor Ling, Scientific Director, Terry Fox Research Institute; Darrell Fox, National Director, Terry Fox Foundation. Pictured below screen, left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Fred Fox, brother of Terry Fox; Gordon Eaton, volunteer, Terry Fox Foundation. [News Release] [Backgrounder]
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Minister Abbott tours the BC Cancer Agency research labs.
Pictured left to right: Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, President, BC Cancer Agency; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Dr. Samuel Aparicio, Senior Scientist, Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Agency.
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On October 19, Minister Abbott announced a $6.7-million renovation project to the maternity and neonatal intensive care units at Richmond Hospital. "The planned improvements to the labour, delivery and recovery spaces at Richmond Hospital reflect best practices and will support physicians and nurses in providing quality care," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Olga Ilich, Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services; John Yap, Richmond-Steveston MLA; Dr. Jeff Coleman, Chief Operating Officer, Richmond Health Services, VCH. [News Release] [Backgrounder]
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On October 13, Minister Abbott welcomed a team of British Columbia's Advanced Life Support Paramedics home after they won the silver medal at the Asia Pacific International Conference in Australia. ""Their hard work and dedication demonstrate not only their commitment to representing B.C.'s paramedics, but ultimately the high standard of patient care given by paramedics across British Columbia,"" said Abbott. Pictured left to right: Michael Sanderson, Executive Director, Lower Mainland BCAS; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Gord McEachen, Operations Director, Lower Mainland BCAS. [News release]
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On October 9, Minister Abbott announced acupuncture treatments will be included as a supplementary benefit for Medical Services Plan premium assistance recipients by April 2008 – a first in Canada. "We are making it easier for patients to access a treatment option that they might otherwise be unable to afford," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: Dr. Harvey Hu, president, B.C. Qualified Acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Dr. Kenneth Fung, assistant professor, Faculty of Medicine, UBC and Health Chair on Premier's Chinese Community Advisory Committee. [News release]
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On October 9, Minister Abbott officially opened an emergency fast track unit at St.Paul's Hospital. "The redesigned, innovative fast track unit allows patients with less serious needs to be seen, assessed, and treated faster and released in a timely manner," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: Dianne Doyle, President and CEO, Providence Health Care; Kip Woodward, Board Chair, Providence Health Care; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Dr. Lawrence Cheng, Physician Operations Leader, St.Paul's Hospital; Raj Vannadil, Pastoral Care, St.Paul's Hospital. [News release]
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On September 28, Minister Abbott accepted a report from Child Health BC at the conclusion of the one-year public input into the Conversation on Health. "As we wrap up the year-long Conversation on Health, it is appropriate that our young people get the final say as the underlying message has been about ensuring a public heatlh system that is there for our children and granchildren," said Abbott. Picture left to right: Sue Carruthers, President & CEO, BC Children's Hospital Foundation; Dr. Bob Peterson, Director, Child Health BC; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Sharon Toohey, President, BC Children's Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children; Robin Buller, Grade 11 student; Mary Polak, Parliamentary Secretary, Conversation on Health. [News release]
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British Columbian children aged 10 to 16 years old identified exercise, diet and sleep as the top three contributors to good health. Nine out of 10 children identified smoking and taking drugs as contributors to poor health while 43 per cent of children and youth felt that the primary responsibility for good health was their own. Pictured left to right: Robin Buller, Grade 11 student; George Abbott, Minister of Health.
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On September 6, Minister Abbott announced the development of a long-term residential addictions treatment centre for youth. "Research shows that the longer a young person stays in treatment, the greater the likelihood they will remain drug and alcohol free when they return to the community," said Abbott.
Pictured from left to right: Rob and Susie Ruttan, From Grief to Action; Lauren Gill, Portage Program graduate; Ida Goodreau, President and CEO, VCH; Christine Meyer, Portage Program graduate; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Betty Ann Busse, Acting President and CEO, Fraser Health. [News release]
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On September 6, Minister Abbott officially opened the new perinatal/neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. "In addition to being more sensitive to the needs of the new family, this new unit includes four additional NICU beds for newborn infants, which will assist in reducing the number of transfers of moms and babies off Vancouver Island," said Abbott.
Picture left to right: Dr. William Arruda, Paediatrician and Medical Director of Child and Youth Family Health, VIHA; Joe Stanhope, Chair, Nanaimo Regional Hospital District; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Ron Cantelon, MLA, Nanaimo-Parksville.
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The new unit was supported by generous donations to the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation. The list of donors will be permanently mounted at the entrance to the new maternity unit.
Pictured left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Jac Kreut, Board Chair, VIHA; Dr. Wilma Arruda, Paediatrician and Medical Director of Child and Youth Family Health, VIHA.
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On August 2, Minister Abbott announced the allocation of the $100-million Health Innovation Fund to B.C.'s six health authorities. "Health professionals and administrators across the province have responded to the Health Innovation Fund with exciting pilot project proposals to improve and share best practices, restructure delivery systems and eliminate key information bottlenecks that slow patient care," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health and Dr. Grant Innes, Regional Medical Director, Emergency Services, Vancouver Coastal Health.
[News Release] [Health Innovation Fund Breakdown] [Breakdown by Health Authority]
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On July 16, Minister Abbott celebrated the completion of extensive renovations to the Emergency Department at Vancouver General Hospital. "The emergency department improvements unveiled today and Canada's first-ever dual source scanner will assist care providers in better diagnosing critically ill and trauma patients who come to Vancouver General Hospital from all over the province," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Dr. Savvas Nicolaou, Head of Radiology, Trauma and Emergency Department, VGH; Gordon Diamond, donor.
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A major addition to the Emergency Department and trauma unit at VGH is a new donor-funded dual source CT (computed tomography) scanner.
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation spearheaded the fundraising for the new $2.6-million CT scanner with gifts from Gordon and Leslie Diamond and donors to the Foundation’s ‘in it for life’ Fund. Pictured left to right:
Ron Dumouchelle, President and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Barbara Brink; Gordon Diamond.
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On July 13, Minister Abbott took part in the official groundbreaking of a new health centre in Lytton. "The site work for the new health centre has begun, and residents of the Lytton area and surrounding Aboriginal communities can look forward to a new health centre opening its doors next summer," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: Amy Charlie, Elder; Harry Lali, MLA Yale-Lillooet; Byron Spinks, Chief, Lytton First Nation; John O'Fee, Chair, Thompson Regional Hospital District; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Andrew Neuner, Chief Operating Officer, Interior Health; Chris O'Connor, Mayor, Lytton; Jennifer Thur, Manager of Health Services, Interior Health. [News release]
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Mayor Chris O'Connor and Minister George Abbott unveil the sign at the site of the future health centre in Lytton. The Province will provide $6.3 million toward the projected cost of $8.1 million for the new health centre, with the remainder from the Thompson Regional Hospital District. Pictured on the left: Harry Lali, MLA Yale-Lillooet; Andrew Neuner, Chief Operating Officer, Interior Health. Pictured on the right:
Byron Spinks, Chief, Lytton First Nation.
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On July 7, Minister George Abbott welcomed participants to the last public forum in Vancouver. "While this is the last public forum for the Conversation, there is still time to have your say on the future of health care in our province," said Abbott. "British Columbians can continue to send in their ideas and innovations until the deadline on Sept. 30, 2007." [How to Participate] [News release]
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On June 25, Minister Abbott announced the development of a new radiopharmaceutical laboratory at the BC Cancer Agency. "This new facility means that the Province will be set up to independently produce a stable, safe and secure source of radioisotopes used to perform PET/CT scans as well as allow for future expansion of PET/CT scans to other regions of the province," said Abbott. Radioisotopes are used to provide accurate pre-treatment detection of cancerous tumours. [News release]
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PET/CT scans allow physicians to more accurately diagnose and identify cancer. The new radiopharmaceutical laboratory will also be home to a cyclotron, a machine that produces isotopes, allowing researchers to explore the basic biology of cancer. The cyclotron will help the BC Cancer Agency translate research discoveries into clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
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On June 20, Minister Abbott toured the site of the new Abbotsford Regional Hosptial and Cancer Centre. The hospital, scheduled to open on time and on budget in summer 2008, will benefit from $30 million in state-of-the-art medical technology and systems, announced by the Minister. Included is a new MRI machine, two 64-slice CT scanners and two digital mammography units. [News release]
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During his tour of the new equipment for Abbotsford Regional Hosptial and Cancer Centre, Minister Abbott was asked to try out some of the devices. Here, the Minister is examining the results of a stress test.
[News release]
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On June 18, 2007, Minister Abbott celebrated the official opening of Lynn Valley Care Centre. The facility will provide 14 new assisted living units and 50 replacement residential care beds for seniors.
Pictured are: From left to right: Daniel Jarvis, MLA North Vancouver - Seymour; Mehdi Sherkat, Administrator, North Shore Private Hospital; Pam Ewens, resident; The Honourable George Abbott, Minister of Health; Katherine Whittred, MLA North Vancouver - Lonsdale; Mary Ackenhusan, COO, Vancouver Costal Health; and Dr. and Mrs. Sherkat.
[News release] [Backgrounder]
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On June 5, Minister Abbott officially opened a new intensive care unit at the Royal Columbian Hospital. "All across British Columbia, we are investing in modern, state-of-the-art facilities to deliver safe, high quality patient care today and for the future," said Abbott. The new 9,200-square-foot ICU is more than double the size of the former unit. [News release]
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Minister George Abbott and MLA Dave Hayer are given a tour of the new facilities by Karen Watson, Manager of the ICU. The new ICU features 16 private patient rooms, including two "negative pressure" rooms for enhanced infection control. These private rooms and state-of-the-art equipment will ensure critically ill and injured patients receive the most current standard of care.
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On June 1, 2007, Vicky Bach and Karim Suleman from Fraser Health show Health Minister George Abbott their poster presentation at Innovations in Health Care Best Practices Forum in Vancouver. The one-day forum showcased health professionals from across the province who presented and shared ideas and best health care practice models.
Suleman and Bach's poster focused on SBAR (Situation Background, Assessment and Recommendation), a guideline tool that promotes communication skills among health professionals, as well as safety within health facilities and quality care for patients.
[News release] [Backgrounder]
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On May 23, Minister Abbott joined 100 pink umbrella-wielding breast cancer survivors and supporters on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery to kick start preparations for the 2007 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. "British Columbians have just over four months to get a team together for the annual Run for the Cure and raise funds to help beat breast cancer," said Abbott. Register online at: www.CIBCRunfortheCure.com.
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The run will take place on Sunday, September 30, 2007 in over 50 locations across Canada. Funds raised by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure go towards the advancement of breast cancer research, education, diagnosis and treatment. Register online at: www.CIBCRunfortheCure.com.
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On May 18, British Columbia and Alberta signed four agreements, including Memorandum of Understandings on Radiation Therapy and Joint Procurement for Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals. Pictured left to right: Alberta Minister Dave Hancock, Health and Wellness and Minister George Abbott, Health. [News release] [Backgrounder] [Access to Radiation Therapy MOU] [Proposed Joint Procurement of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices MOU]
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On May 15, Minister of Health George Abbott and Washington State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky opened the Fourth Annual Pacific Northwest Cross Border Public Health Preparedness Workshop. The conference brought together health leaders from across the Pacific Northwest and both U.S. and Canadian federal governments.
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On May 14, Minister Abbott announced a $2-million provincial government grant to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon to enhance the prevention and treatment of strokes. "One in six British Columbians has been treated for high blood pressure, which if not diagnosed and properly managed can lead to strokes and other serious health problems," said Abbott.
Pictured left to right: Arnie Hamilton, former MLA; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Dr. Arun Chockalingam, Secretary General, World Hypertension League; Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC; Bobbe Wood, President and CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon. [News release]
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George Abbott and Gordon Hogg demonstrate their disc golf skills in honour of National Hypertension Awareness Week at the legislature. Pictured left to right: Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC; Matt MacDonald, Island Disc Golf Society; Arnie Hamilton, former MLA; George Abbott, Minister of Health.
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On May 7, Minister Abbott announced a $28-million investment to help increase the number of practising nurses in British Columbia. "With this latest investment, our government has now provided B.C.'s Nursing Strategy with a total of $174 million since 2001 to help educate, retain and recruit the best qualified nurses in British Columbia," said Abbott.
Pictured left to right: Heather Mass, Chief Nursing Officer (retired); George Abbott, Minister of Health; Darlene McGougan, Regional Manager, Aboriginal Health; Manpreet Dhariwal, Student Nurse. [News release] [Backgrounder]
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The B.C. Nursing Strategy was created in 2001 to address the growing demand for more nurses. The B.C. Nursing Strategy helps educate, retain and recruit the best qualified nurses in British Columbia and applies to Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. Pictured left to right: Carol Galte, Nurse Practitioner; Heather Mass, Chief Nursing Officer (retired); Sindi Hawkins, Kelowna-Mission MLA; Darlene McGougan, Regional Manager, Aboriginal Health; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Manpreet Dhariwal, Student Nurse.
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On May 4, Minister Abbott announced major expansion plans for Kelowna General Hospital and Vernon Jubilee Hospital. "The new outpatient hospital and quadrupled emergency department in Kelowna and the new diagnostic and treatment building in Vernon represents the largest single investment in the health system in the Interior," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: Alan Dolman, Interior Health Board Chair; Al Horning, Kelowna-Lake Country MLA; Sindi Hawkins, Kelowna-Mission MLA; George Abbott, Minister of Health. [News release]
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An artist rendering of the new multi-storey outpatient hospital at Kelowna General Hospital. Pictured left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Al Horning, Kelowna-Lake Country MLA; Dr. Mike Ertel, Chief of Emergency Medicine, KGH; Sindi Hawkins, Kelowna-Mission MLA; Alan Dolman, Interior Health Board chair.
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Minister Abbott and the rest of the Ministry of Health Corporate Team are ready to hit the streets in the Times Colonist 10K Sunday, April 29.
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On April 26, Minister Abbott encouraged more British Columbians to register as organ donors. "Organ donation is literally giving the gift of life but depends entirely upon the generosity of donors and their families," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: Mary Polak, Langley MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for the Conversation on Health; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Pia Henriksson, mother of an organ donor. [News release]
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Minister Abbott does his part by registering as an organ donor during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week. "There are more than 300 people in B.C. waiting for organ transplants and hundreds more awaiting cornea transplants," said Abbott. In this photo: Mary Polak, Langley MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for the Conversation on Health; George Abbott, Minister of Health.
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On April 12, 2007, Minister Abbott officially opened Creekside Withdrawl Management Centre, new centre of specialized addiction services in Surrey. The new facility will offer a dedicated program tailored especially for youth, rather than young people having to participate in the general adult program. [News release] [Backgrounder]
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During the ceremony, Minister Abbott cut the "chain of addiction", to officially open the facility.
Pictured are: (L-R) Betty Ann Busse, Fraser Health Executive VP of Health Promotion and Community Programs; Keith Anderson, Fraser Health Interim President and CEO; Wayne, a former client of Maple Cottage Detox; Minister Abbott; Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts; Carol, a family representative of a former client; and Bruce McAuliffe, Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation Board Chair. [News release] [Backgrounder]
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On April 16, Minister Abbott officially launched the new remote access TeleCare program. "Residents all across Vancouver Island will now be able to receive the same world-class consultation work from the BC Cancer Agency whether they are in Victoria or in six regional centres across the Island," said Abbott. [News release]
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TeleCare is a new Telehealth program that allows physicians and patients to remotely consult with oncologists in Victoria by video link. Pictured from left to right: Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Dr. Brian Weinerman, medical oncologist, BC Cancer Agency.
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On April 12, Minister Abbott announced new contracts for six airplanes with the BC Ambulance Service. The BCAS Air Ambulance Program operates six airplanes, two in Kelowna, one in Prince George and three in Vancouver, and three helicopters, one in Prince Rupert and two in Vancouver.
Pictured are: Pascal Rodier (Honour Guard, BC Ambulance Service), Health Minister George Abbott, Dave Carlson (Honour Guard, BC Ambulance Service), Les Fisher (Executive Director, Provincial Programs, BC Ambulance Service), Fred Platteel (Chief Executive Officer, BC Ambulance Service), MLA John Yap
[News release] [Backgrounder]
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On April 10-11, Minister Abbott attended the First Nations Health Forum which brought together key partners to discuss and understand the First Nations Health Plan. The First Nations Health Plan is part of the Province's commitment to closing the health gap between First Nations and other British Columbians by 2015. "We expect to see progress made in key areas such as life expectancy, mortality, youth suicide, infant mortality, prevalence of diabetes, childhood obesity, and practising, certified First Nations Health Care Professionals," said Abbott.
Pictured left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Ian Potter, Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health, Health Canada; Grand Chief Stewart Philip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs; BC Regional Chief Shawn Atleo, BC Assembly of First Nations; Grand Chief Ed John, First Nations Summit; Harold Tarbell, Master of Ceremonies. [News release]
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On April 4, Minister Abbott marked 100 years of vaccinations in B.C. with the announcement of a new immunization framework. The announcement was made at historic Helmcken House in Victoria, the home to John Sebastian Helmcken, one of B.C.'s first physicians. There are currently 14 government-funded immunization programs in British Columbia, providing protection from diseases such as annual influenza, diphtheria, tetanus, pneumococcal and meningococcal, measles, mumps and rubella.
With the Minister are (L-R), Minister of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Womens' Issues Ida Chong, Vonnie Simpkin from Royal Jubilee Nurses Alumni in period nursing regalia from 1907, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall and Monika Naus, Medical Director for Immunization Programs, BC Centre for Disease Control.
[News release]
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On April 2, a federal-provincial initiative was launched enabling British Columbia parents of newborns to apply for both their child's birth certificate and Social Insurance Number using a single application form. Pictured left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Monte Solberg, Federal Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Minister responsible for Service Canada; Stephan Moraw; Giorgia Moraw and son Noah. [News release]
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On March 29, Minister Abbott participated in the official groundbreaking ceremony of the future Sunridge Estate community of care in Duncan. "The new facility will add 210 publicly funded residential care beds and assisted living units in Duncan and that means Cowichan Valley residents will soon have more options when planning for their long-term care needs," said Abbott. Pictured left to right: Mayor Phil Kent, Duncan; Mike Conroy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vancouver Island Health Authority; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Norman Jones, President, Jones Development Corporation. [News release]
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On March 27, Minister Abbott officially opened one of the new UBC Clinical Academic Campuses located in key teaching hospitals throughout B.C. ""Expanding academic space at hospitals across the province is enabling the expansion of the UBC's Faculty of Medicine to produce more B.C.-trained doctors for local communities,"" said Abbott. Pictured from left to right: Dr. Gavin Stuart, Dean of UBC Faculty of Medicine; George Abbott, Minister of Health; MLA John Rustad, Prince George Omineca. [News release] [Backgrounder]
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The new classrooms at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria are now linked by video-conferencing technology to other hospitals spanning all six health authorities. The Ministry of Health provided $27.6 million for new or renovated teaching space in clinical academic campuses and related facilities, and a further $14.9 million for an audiovisual information technology infrastructure.
Pictured from left to right: Kelly Saran, Psychiatry resident, Royal Jubilee Hospital; Dr. Oscar Casiro, Associate Dean, Island Medical Program, UBC Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Gavin Stuart, Dean of UBC Faculty of Medicine; George Abbott, Minister of Health.
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On March 23, Minister Abbott unveiled the project sign for the expansion and redevelopment of Shuswap Lake General Hospital. "The $20-million investment will improve and modernize the emergency and diagnostic imaging departments to meet the increasing acute care needs of Shuswap patients," said George Abbott. Pictured from left to right: George Abbott, Minister of Health; Rhona Martin, Chair of the North Okanagan/Columbia Shuswap Regional Hospital District; Alan Dolman, Chair of the Interior Health Authority.
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On March 10, Minister Abbott welcomed 100 South Island participants to the public forum as part of the Conversation on Health. These forums are being held throughout the province from February to July 2007. “It’s obvious from the close to 94,000 people who have joined the Conversation to date that British Columbians have a great passion and interest in the health system today and for the future,” stated Minister Abbott. [News Release]
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On February 26, Minister Abbott signed an eight-year, $11 million agreement with the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and GE Healthcare (GE). The agreement allows VIHA to purchase 48 new ultrasound systems and collaborate with GE to research and develop new healthcare technologies. "It's a prime example of how healthcare providers and technology companies can work together to advance patient care," said Abbott. Pictured from left to right: Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Dr. John Mathieson, VIHA Medical Director, Head of Medical Imaging; Sandra Seher, Ultrasound Section Head. [News Release]
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The signed partnership agreement ""will improve diagnostic services to island patients at eleven facilities from Victoria to Port Hardy, while giving our health care professionals the opportunity to be part of the development of leading edge technology,"" said Abbott. Pictured from left to right: Joseph Sardi, General Manager, GE Healthcare; Jac Kreut, VIHA Board Chair; George Abbott, Minister of Health; Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues; Dr. John Mathieson, VIHA Medical Director, Head of Medical Imaging; Heather Gibson, Director, Medical Imaging Services.
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In Kamloops on February 3, Health Minister George Abbott welcomed one hundred Thompson Cariboo Shuswap area residents to the first of 16 Conversation on Health regional public forums, which are being held across B.C. between February and July 2007. "This weekend's discussions provided us with invaluable information, as well as greater insight into what people in the Kamloops area value about their public health system, and where they see the pressures today and in the future," said Minister Abbott. [News Release]
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