Nova Scotia

SYDNEY — A will of her own The license of a Cape Breton nurse has been revoked for independently removing surgical staples from the abdomen of a mentally-challenged man back in 2003. She then reinserted staples without using pain medication or notifying the doctor after learning that the staples were supposed to be left in. However, the suspension imposed by the province's College of Registered Nurses only took effect last week, following the nurse's admission of professional misconduct. BH

HALIFAX — Injection of cash The minority Conservative government's April 22 budget includes almost $234 million more for healthcare. Nova Scotia will become the first Atlantic province to pay the medical costs of senior citizens living in nursing homes, estimated at over $9 million annually. Healthcare accounts for almost 40% of the province's budget. "We're saying Nova Scotia is serious about maintaining its social programs," said Finance Minister Peter Christie. BH

Prince Edward Island

CHARLOTTETOWN — Insulin price hike PEI's plan to raise the price of insulin will cause hardship for the hundreds of Islanders with diabetes, says the local arm of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA). The proposed increase will see the cost of a vial of insulin rise from $8 to $11. Shirley Berry, of PEI region of the CDA, says her office has received a number of complaints about the financial burden this will create, especially those living in a low income bracket. BM

Newfoundland

ST JOHN'S — Senior strategy The Department of Health and Community Services plans to establish a new Division of Aging and Seniors to facilitate coordination of seniors' programs and services. One of its initial priorities will be the development of a comprehensive long-term care strategy to address the whole continuum of service, including home support, supported living, personal care homes and nursing homes. DSS

ST JOHN'S — Something in the water A study linking increased stillbirths with chlorination by-products in municipal water raises new concerns about trihalomethanes (THMs), which are still above acceptable levels in more than 80 Newfoundland communities. Environment Minister Tom Osborne promises that this year about $50 million will be spent on improving water quality. Dalhousie University researchers recently concluded that women exposed to THM levels of 80mg per litre or higher had twice the risk of stillbirth. DSS

Yukon

WHITEHORSE — Get out of jail sick Crown prosecutor Kevin Drolet is calling for better care for mentally ill patients. His statement comes after a local man, Steve Rathburn, was jailed after being diagnosed as psychotic, instead of being sent for proper treatment. During his imprisonment he suffered serious side effects to the drugs he was given. The jail where Mr Rathburn was placed is designated as a hospital for inmates by the territorial government. CS

Nunavut

IQALUIT — First Inuit nurses Lily Amagoalik of Kimmirut and Asenath Idlout of Pond Inlet became the first two nurses to graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Iqaluit's Nunavut Arctic College. The program is offered in partnership with Dalhousie University. The need for qualified Inuit nurses in the territory is evident — there are around 150 nurses, and, until now, none have been Inuit. The nursing program, which costs $400,000 to offer, only started in 2000, when Nunavut's then-health minister Ed Picco was able to make it a priority. JG

Northwest Territories

YELLOWKNIFE — Spot the epidemic The territorial health department is asking regional health boards to get serious about preventing chicken pox. The number of cases has nearly doubled in the last year, even though the health department provides free vaccinations for all small children. Some communities haven't been taking full advantage of the program, says Wanda White of the health department. CS

YELLOWKNIFE — One last puff Smokers in the NWT, like their neighbours in Nunavut, are now living in a smoke-free world. As of April 30, no one is allowed to smoke in any workplace. Employers will be forced to uphold the ban or face fines up to $5,000. CS

Contributors: Paula Baker, Gail Helgason, Jacqui Clydesdale, Toss Taylor, Bill McGuire, Brian Hoyle, Deanna Stokes-Sullivan, Jane George, Carla Sparks