Letter to the editor

June 20, 2019

PRAISE FOR PRINCETON DOCTORS AND HOSPITAL

There once was a time, not too long ago, that this town only had two doctors. There was not enough medical staff to keep the emergency department of our hospital operational 24 hours a day.

Fortunately, that has changed, due to the actions of some dedicated community members working with Interior Health to implement a recruitment plan to attract more doctors to practice in Princeton.

We, the residents of Princeton and the surrounding area, have to be thankful and proud that we now have five doctors and excellent hospital service.

I recently spent three weeks in our hospital requiring extensive care for a very serious infection. I was most impressed with the care I received, knowing that there was always a doctor on duty or on call. Even the food was wonderful – never the same meal twice.

The compassion and friendliness of all the nurses and support staff was the absolute best and was certainly a great help in keeping up my morale.

I will be forever thankful to you all.

Chris Ross

news release June 12 2019 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BC HEALTH COALITION SUPPORTS THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL PHARMACARE’S CALL FOR UNIVERSAL PUBLIC PHARMACARE

BC Health Coalition urges all parties to adopt the Advisory Committee’s recommendations

Vancouver ­– The BC Health Coalition is celebrating the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare’s recommendation to create a universal public pharmacare program. 

“We’re pleased and unsurprised that the Advisory Council has recommended a system that ensures all Canadians get the healthcare coverage that they need,” says Adrienne Yeung, BC Health Coalition co-chair. “This report further confirms the findings of previous reports and what people in our communities already know which is that people shouldn’t have to choose between medication and other necessities.”

The Advisory Council’s recommendations included the creation of a new drug agency as well as an opt-in period for the provinces. The BCHC has advocated for a system that is publicly provided and comprehensive in medications offered. National universal pharmacare will provide the ability to negotiate better prices on common medications and improve public safety through better prescribing. 

“As Dr. Hoskins said, people are already bearing the costs of these medications,” says Yeung. “We will be looking for all federal political parties to include a national universal pharmacare plan in their platforms as well as the timeline for implementation. Canadians can’t wait any longer.”

The BC Health Coalition is a democratic, inclusive, and consensus-based community of individuals and organizations that advocate for evidence-based improvements to the public health care system, stimulate public education on health care issues, and drive positive change to the health care system through campaigns across the province.

For more information contact: phone: 604.349.9079 | email: nadine@bchealthcoalition.ca | www.bchealthcoalition.ca

The Advisory Committee’s final report:

https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/images/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/implementation-national-pharmacare/final-report/final-report.pdf Continue reading →