New Brunswick
FREDERICTON — NB nurses strike nixed for now On September 2, New Brunswick's nurses — the lowest-paid in Canada — voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike. But on September 7 the government forged a last-minute tentative deal with the 5,000 nurses. Union leader Debbie McGraw was given a strong mandate (98% yea) and the strike vote was the first in the union's history. JC

MIRAMICHI — Nasty welcome for Minister Close to 1,000 protesters turned out at the Miramichi Hospital to greet Health and Wellness Minister Elvy Robichaud on September 1. The protesters were outraged at bed and staff cuts proposed by the minister. Mr Robichaud spent the week touring the province for talks with all eight Regional Health Authority Boards to discuss the new health plan announced at the end of June. JC

Nova Scotia
HALIFAX — Like selling candy to babies A provincial report released on August 26 has slammed schools for reaping the profits of in-school sales of pop, chips and fast food at the expense of students' health. "Schools run canteens for the wrong reasons — it is run for profit, at present," said an elementary school principal in the report. Providing nutritious food "isn't possible with the limited amount of funding and support," the principal added. Provincial officials have pledged action. BH

HALIFAX — One boy wonder's legacy Chad Conrad valiantly fought a losing battle with cancer at QEII Health Sciences Centre. But during his stay for chemotherapy, the 18-year-old found the ward lacking in fun amenities. Nine months after his death, his parents have lavished the hematology unit with gifts as a thank you for the staff's efforts to save their son and to help other teen patients cope. The community, along with Zellers Department Stores, decided to pitch in and all told, over $10,000 was given to spruce up QEII's recreation facilities. BH

Prince Edward Island
CHARLOTTETOWN — Better access for mental healthcare PEI isn't meeting the needs of its mental patients, charges a recent report by the province's division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The CMHA surveyed people suffering from mental disorders, their families, GPs and other healthcare professionals. The report outlines problems in three areas — delivery of services, education and income support policies — and found the system is leaving far too many patients out in the cold. CS

Newfoundland
ST JOHN'S — Show me the money Newfoundland and Labrador's healthcare boards are waiting to hear word from the province on just how much money they'll get out of the estimated $23 million saved during a 27-day public sector workers' strike in April. Premier Danny Williams said publicly he's prepared to cough up about $10 million of the windfall. John Peddle, executive director of the health boards' association, has written the premier requesting further details. DSS

Yukon
Whitehorse — The few, the vaccinated Yukon Medical Health Officer Dr Bryce Larke is quite confident current stocks of the vaccine Pentacel will outlast reported shortages — thanks to the territory's low population. Other parts of the country are already in short supply. Said Dr Larke, "We have enough for our own needs at present provided we continue to monitor closely." DJB

Nunavut
IQALUIT — TB outbreak Iqaluit health officials have found 10 cases of TB in the capital so far this year — the highest number since 2001, when 14 cases were diagnosed. Improved TB monitoring systems mean that the territory has a better hold on the situation than in 2001 but crowded housing and poor health means that the disease has the potential to spread quickly. A permanent TB consultant in Nunavut is keeping an eye on the situation. CS

IQALUIT — Vaccine supply stable As with the Yukon, Nunavut's chief medical health officer, Dr James Talbot, reassured worried parents that a shortage of childhood vaccines in several provinces won't likely affect the territory. The shortage involves the Pentacel and Quadracel vaccines for diphtheria, whooping cough, polio and tetanus. Dr Talbot said he expected to receive a shipment of vaccines by the end of August and that would be enough to supply the territory's jabs through to the end of the year. JG

Northwest Territories
YELLOWKNIFE — Complaint-worthy complaints mechanism Territorial Privacy Commissioner Elaine Keenan-Bengts is outraged by the treatment a patient received at the hands of the health department. The woman placed a complaint with the deputy minister of health after the local department dismissed an earlier complaint as 'whining.' The department then went on to send a letter, which included details of her medical history, to her employer even though the complaint had nothing to do with work. Her original grievance was over treatment she received in a nursing station. CS

Contributors: Paula Baker, Donny J Byers, Jacqui Clydesdale, Jane George, Gail Helgasson, Brian Hoyle, Deanna Stokes-Sullivan, Carla Sparks

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