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Quebec
P3s a go for superhospitals
MONTREAL —
The Quebec government has announced that it will
be building the province's two new superhospitals with
the help of the private sector. This despite warnings
from health officials in Britain, who say that cost
in such public-private-partnerships (P3s) can spiral
out of control, especially for projects — like
the superhospitals — that cost more than $1 billion.
The provincial Liberals have come under fire recently
from the opposition because the hospital project is
$1.1 billion over-budget. DB
Fries
off school menus soon
Montreal —
The provincial government's $110 million 80-point plan
to improve youth fitness and health will not include
an absolute ban on junk food. Quebec has opted instead
for a more moderate alternative. Schools will be encouraged
to bring in healthy alternatives to their current fat-
and sugar-laden goodies before junk food is yanked from
school serving counters completely. A unilateral ban
might have simply driven students off to the nearest
fast-food joint, points out Premier Jean Charest. He
believes that by proceeding more slowly students will
learn about the benefits of healthy eating. DB
New
Brunswick
Budget gives cash
to seniors
BATHURST —
Health spending in New Brunswick will increase to $2.5
billion annually thanks to a 5.9%, or $136 million jump,
announced in the recent provincial budget. Highlights
include the funding of 27 new physician positions; 16
surgical sites will be overhauled; and, effective January
2007, the province will cover all nursing home costs.
Notably, seniors won't have to use the proceeds of selling
their home to fund their care. SB
Nova
Scotia
EHR network up and
running
HALIFAX —
A $55.7-million project linking the information systems
of 34 Nova Scotia hospitals outside of Halifax Regional
Municipality is complete, says the province's health
department. Completion of the project is a step toward
the province's goal of having an electronic health record
for every Nova Scotian. The electronic health records
network — which already includes more than one
million patients — will eventually be linked up
with systems in the Capital district health authority
and the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. PL
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Prince
Edward Island
Island loses AIDS
director
Charlottetown
— The Community-based support group, AIDS
PEI, has been forced to lay off its executive director
because Health Canada has cut funding to the group by
25%. The federal agency provides AIDS PEI with all their
funding. They are the only support group of its kind
to not get any money from the province. Island AIDS
patients will feel the loss of the executive director,
who did a lot of hands-on work, like taking patients
on trips to the hospital. SB
Newfoundland
Budget brings cash
boost
ST JOHN'S —
Newfoundland and Labrador's 2006 budget contains more
than $180 million in new healthcare funding, bringing
the total for health spending to $1.96 billion, a 10%
increase over last year. Highlights include: $52 million
for new healthcare infrastructure; $15.6 million for
cancer prevention and treatments; a $4.8-million injection
in the Provincial Drug Program and $3.7 million to support
healthy lifestyles. More than $60 million is also being
provided to the province's four health boards to cover
increased operating expenses and program costs. DSS
The
North
Healthcare woes
on Baffin Island
BAFFIN ISLAND,
NU — A report conducted by the Canadian
Council on Health Services Accreditation which gave
the Baffin Island's healthcare system a failing grade
has finally been released to the public after pressure
from local MLAs. The report, which was completed last
fall, pinpoints shortcomings and concerns, including
treatment delay, poor health promotion and poor staff
morale. It also found that many of the council's 2002
recommendations designed raise the standard of healthcare
to that of the Canadian norm had been ignored. HY
Contributors: Hector Andrews, Simon
Biggar, Donna Byers, Lance Davies, Geoff Everett, Thane
Jenkins, Paige Lee, Julie J Mercier, Deana Stokes Sullivan,
and Henrietta Yan.
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