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British Columbia
"Wiggly, vigorous
and very vocal"
VANCOUVER
— A team
of 16 doctors at the BC Women's Hospital in Vancouver
made international headlines as they successfully delivered
co-joined twins Krista and Tatiana. Their mother, 21-year-old
Felicia Simms of Vernon, BC, is doing fine after undergoing
a Caesarian section. The surgery was considered a success,
and now after the first critical 24 hours have passed,
the convalescing period and the concomitant ethical
and medical decisions begin. "One of the challenges
is that individuals have been separated at an age when
they could not provide input into that decision," said
Dr Brian Lupton, clinical director of the hospital's
neonatal unit in an interview with Reuters. LD
Alberta
Less talk, more
healthcare revolution
EDMONTON —
Former Alliance leader Preston Manning is on a speaking
tour of Alberta and his message is clear - less talk
and more healthcare experimentation. Mr Manning says
the current language of extremes, such as "American-style
healthcare" versus "a federal dictatorship," serve only
to impede progress. "Instead of having this ideological
argument, set up two tracks, have a competition and
see," said Mr Manning to the Edmonton Journal.
"Actually doing it would be infinitely more profitable."
GE
Saskatchewan
Tumolt over tube tying
HUMBOLT —
A heated debate over a decision by St Elizabeth's Hospital
in Humbolt not to offer tubal litigation is still on
the table of discussion, as no resolution has been reached
regarding a decision made back in September. The Saskatoon
Regional Medical Association is setting up meetings
with the Humboldt physicians group, representatives
of the St Elizabeth's board, the Catholic Health Care
Corporation, a Catholic ethics group, and the Health
Region's acting Chief of Staff. The CEO of St Elizabeth's
Hospital, Shirley McNeil, says there is plenty of open
discourse, and she expects a decision to be made in
four to six weeks. TJ
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Manitoba
Woman caught kidnapping
cancer-stricken mother
WINNIPEG —
Marlene Legare, a 56-year-old woman, is in prison after
a foiled attempt to kidnap her terminally ill mother
and abscond her to an experimental medical facility
in Texas for cancer treatment. Disguised with a stolen
wig and glasses, Ms Legare's escape to the Lonestar
state was stopped when her stepfather arrived home from
work earlier than expected and contacted the RCMP. She
was later arrested at the Winnipeg International airport.
"I just want her to live," Ms Legare told the Winnipeg
Free Press. "...We can get her down to the clinic
and give her a chance to live. But they can't do a thing
for her here." HA
Hot
Spot
Ontario
Tory leader demands
audit of MD billing
TORONTO —
Opposition Leader John Tory wants Dalton McGuinty's
Liberals to act on the 118 recommendations of an April
2005 report by Justice Peter Cory regarding a new system
for auditing doctors' billings. Health and Long-Term
Care Minister George Smitherman retorted that the issue
is important and complex, and as such legislation will
be presented sometime before winter. Mr Smitherman,
in explaining the delay and the complexity of the issue,
told the Toronto Star, "The emotional response
within the physician community is an extraordinary one."
He also went on to defend the province's physicians
adding, "Our government stands alongside Ontario's doctors
(and) believes fundamentally that they're honest." JJM
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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