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British Columbia
Residents sign competitive
deal
VANCOUVER
— A new
deal will attract more top physician prospects to BC,
say healthcare experts. The Professional Association
of Residents of BC (PAR-BC) and the Health Employers
Association of British Columbia have agreed to a four-year
contract that will bring remuneration in the province
in line with Alberta and Ontario. "We are pleased that
the employer understands that parity is vital if the
province wants to attract Canada's brightest and best
candidates to BC," said PAR-BC's President Dr Paris-Ann
Gfeller in a news release. LD
Hot
Spot
Alberta
Joint project gets
cash injection
EDMONTON —
The province's highly successful Hip and Knee Replacement
Project is getting a nice financial boost. Alberta has
pledged $54 million to build on the considerable success
of the program, which has significantly reduced wait
times, a feat that has eluded other provinces. Of the
total investment, $12 million will be earmarked for
sustaining the program, while $42 million will be used
to expand it to include cardiac care, and breast and
prostate cancer. GE
Hot
Spot
Saskatchewan
Debate over costly
Tx continues
REGINA —
Cancer patients want the province to subsidize the colorectal
cancer drug bevacizumab. About 100 people — patients,
their friends and family members - packed the legislature's
gallery, protesting a decision made in early March by
the NDP not to fund the medication, which costs approximately
$2,000 a dose. The government's decision to stop funding
was based on science, affordability and sustainability,
says Health Minister Len Taylor. He points out that
by adding bevacizumab to the list of publicly funded
treatments, the province's drug budget would increase
by $5.9 million, or 23%. TJ
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Manitoba
ALS patients want
drug funded
WINNIPEG —
In related news, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
patients in Manitoba are fighting a similar battle with
their government. There is a new drug, riluzole, that
helps slow down the onset of symptoms of the debilitating
neuromuscular disease. But it costs up to $1,400 a month
and the government is refusing to foot the bill. The
ALS society of Manitoba is lobbying the province to
cover the drug. Manitoba Health is still waiting for
information from the drug's manufacturer before deciding
whether it will pay for it. HA
Ontario
More organ donors
needed: OMA
TORONTO —
The Ontario Medical Association doesn't think the government
is doing enough to increase organ donations in the province.
The association sent an open letter to the three political
parties in the provincial legislature demanding action
on a way to up donations. OMA President Dr Greg Flynn
applauds the efforts of the parties but insists that
members need to find common ground and develop concrete
solutions. A report released after the letter was sent
shows that some efforts made by the province have paid
off; organ donations in the province have tripled thanks
to the new law that requires major hospitals to report
deaths to the province's organ registry. JJM
Virtual
MD office 'opens'
TORONTO —
The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario is inviting
denizens of hogtown to log on to a virtual doctor's
office for an online mental health checkup. The project,
called Check Up From The Neck Up, is a self-administered
test designed to detect a broad range of mood disorders.
It already has a number of high profile candidates,
including Mayor David Miller, hockey legend Ron Ellis
and members of the Argonauts. To take the test please
visit www.checkup
fromtheneckup.ca JJM
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