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New
Brunswick
Healthcare central
to NB vote
FREDERICTION —
Health Minister Brad Green is confident his government's
record is strong as New Brunswickers prepare to go to
the polls on September 18. Healthcare promises to be
an explosive issue. The governing Conservatives have
taken some flack over recent healthcare decisions. Many
were outraged over a hospital restructuring initiative,
which called for four rural hospitals to be converted
to community health centres, and two others closed.
On the other hand, the government boasts in its annual
Health Care Report Card that 23 of 31 health indicators
show a good or satisfactory performance. SB
Nova
Scotia
NS Tories tackle
chronic pain
HALIFAX —
Nova Scotia became one of the first provinces in Canada
to come up with a plan of action to help patients suffering
from chronic pain. The province says it will invest
$1 million each year to develop four innovative regional
multidisciplinary pain centres in collaboration with
the Nova Scotia Chronic Pain Working Group. "Chronic
pain management services have been a challenge for most
provinces, including Nova Scotia," said Health Minister
Chris d'Entremont at a press conference. "The wait for
services here has been lengthy. With this investment
we are going to be able to deliver more services, in
more communities, and treat more people." DB
Prince
Edward Island
Island nurses get
new deal
CHARLOTTETOWN
— Nurses in Prince Edward Island have agreed
to a tentative contract that will give them an 8.74%
wage boost over the next three years. The contract offers
some benefits, including a more generous parental leave
plan and improved employer contributions to the nurses'
education fund. What's more, the contract will offer
compensation to senior nurses who become mentors to
younger colleagues. PL
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Newfoundland
Study shows fewer
FPs deliver
ST JOHN'S —
A new Canadian Institute for Health Information
(CIHI) report shows a steady decline in the number of
family doctors who offer obstetrical services in Newfoundland
and Labrador. Only 9.3% offered obstetrical services
in 2003, compared to 25.7% back in 1994. The report
shows a similar trend can be seen nationwide. Only 15.7%
of female family physicians in the country and 13.2%
of their male counterparts provided obstetrical care
in 2003, compared to 27% of female family physicians
and 26% of male family physicians in 1994. DSS
Cancer
patients get speedier care
ST JOHN'S —
Health Minister Tom Osborne says wait times in Newfoundland
and Labrador are improving in several areas including
cancer treatment and cardiac care. The minister announced
that 100% of new cancers are being treated with radiotherapy
within 30 days where appropriate. This is up from 84%
earlier this year. Wait times for coronary bypass surgery
have also improved, with 98.6% of patients getting their
valve jobs within 182 days, up slightly from 96.7%.
The Health Minister credits an investment of about $23
million for diagnostic equipment and the hiring of wait
time coordinators as being key factors in these improvements.
DSS
The
North
Relief for debt-burdened
docs
Whitehorse —
The Yukon government has some good news for young doctors
drowning in debt. The territory just announced its "Family
Physician Incentive Program for New Graduates." The
plan will provide up to $50,000 to a maximum of four
new doctors a year. The Yukon government hopes its plan
will lure young physicians to the territory. "We have
much to offer young new physicians who want to establish
a practice in the Yukon," said Health Minister Brad
Cathers at a news conference. Candidates for the program
must agree to stay in the Yukon for five years and be
either Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. HY
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