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Saskatchewan
Pathologist fights
back
SASKATOON —
Dr Charles Smith, the veteran pathologist who had his
license revoked in Saskatchewan due to questions over
his autopsy results while working in Ontario, is asking
to have his doctor's privileges reinstated for eight
months. Dr Smith worked at Saskatoon City Hospital from
September to December of 2005, when he was stripped
of his privileges, he says due to the lingering taint
of unfair media coverage. The pathologist told the Leader-Post
that losing his licence was "...totally unexpected"
and that charges against him had been dismissed by the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. SB
Quebec
Milk is the 'breast
medicine'
MONTREAL —
Nearly 800 mothers united in the Complexe Desjardins
shopping centre in Montreal to fight the stigma against
public breast feeding as they launched world breast
feeding week. "It's the first vaccination — it
gives babies' immune system the best start possible,"
announced John Carsley, director of infectious diseases
at the Montreal Public Health Department. Quebec statistics
show that even though 85% of women initiate breastfeeding
at birth, only 3% breastfeed exclusively, without formula,
until their babies reach 6 months (as is recommended
by the World Health Organization). BW
New
Brunswick
Wisconsin flu shot
delayed
FREDERICTON —
New Brunswickers will have to wait a few weeks longer
for that flu shot this year. Due to a slowdown in a
lab's cultivation of the A/Wisconsin flu strain, there
has been a delay in the supply of the flu vaccine serum.
The vaccine is manufactured with the three most prevalent
influenza strains of the previous year. New Brunswick's
chief medical officer of health, Dr Wayne MacDonald,
explained to the CBC that despite the delay, doctors
will still have enough time to administer those flu
shots. SB
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Nova
Scotia
Army seeks MD recruits
HALIFAX —
Medical school students and residents gathered recently
at a Halifax conference-centre job fair, as they were
courted by recruiters such as health centre administrators,
medical staffers and the Department of National Defence.
Lt Randy Russell admitted to the Chronicle Herald,
however, that a 'MASH' style career is not for everybody.
The perks to be found in the four-year required stint
include a good pay scale, having more time with patients
and adventure. The downside for some is the chance of
being sent to a hot spot like Afghanistan. SB
Prince
Edward Island
Calls for a fat
tax
CHARLOTTETOWN
— The Medical Society of PEI is calling
for a 'sin' tax on junk food, proclaiming that people
who choose to eat such fare should pay the price. "...If
things cost more, that's the best disincentive for them
to be purchased. It works for tobacco," Dr Christine
MacNearney, told the CBC. The problem as Health Minister
Chester Gillan sees it, is defining 'junk food.' PL
Newfoundland
EHR privacy concerns
raised
St John's —
Canada's privacy commissioner Jennifer Stoddart
issued some stern warnings about potential privacy breaches
in electronic medical record systems. At the Newfoundland
and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI) conference,
Ms Stoddart talked about an Ontario case where a nurse
used an EHR to dig up dirt on a lover's ex. Newfoundland
is developing a network that will eventually link pharmacists,
hospitals, doctors and health-care providers. DSS
The
Territories
Smoke free saloons
for the Klondike
Whitehorse —
If NDP candidates Samson Hartland and Kate White are
elected, the days of public puffing in the Yukon could
be numbered. These trailblazers say it's high time to
get with the program and provide a healthy environment
for workers. The two politicians told the Whitehorse
Star that Yukon has the weakest tobacco-control
legislation in the country, and the third-lowest tax
rate on smokes. HY
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