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BMJ 2015; 351 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h5057 (Published 23 September 2015) Cite this as: BMJ 2015;351:h5057

Ingrid Torjesen

Most home care visits should be at least half an hour long to enable carers to provide the personalised and dignified care that elderly patients need when being supported to stay in their own home, says a guideline on social care services from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).1Shorter visits would be appropriate only rarely, said the finalised guideline on home care, published on 23 September. This might be when the visit is part of a wider package of support, made by a carer who is known to the patient, or made to complete a specific time limited task, such as checking that a medicine has been taken or that a person is safe and well.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

For seven decades, Hospital Employees’ Union members have been dedicated to delivering quality public health care to British Columbians every single day.  For nearly a decade, HEU has supported five occupational subcommittees – clerical, support, trades and maintenance, patient care technical and patient care – consisting of rank-and-file members, Provincial Executive (P.E.) members and staff advisors.  These subcommittees have provided outreach to members across the province and were a valuable resource for discussing occupation-specific issues, including bargaining objectives, health and safety, and general union information. 

But last fall, HEU convention delegates passed a resolution to amalgamate these occupational groupings into one subcommittee with representatives from each of the five facilities job families to help build unity and solidarity, while still recognizing the unique needs of our diverse membership.  That’s why we’re proud to commemorate our first annual HEU Day, held on October 13, to mark the anniversary of the union’s charter date in 1944. And to celebrate HEU’s strong united health care team – working together in solidarity – for improved working and caring conditions for all members.  Be sure to send photos of your local celebrations for HEU’s social media platforms or share your posts by tagging us with #heuday2015.  Happy HEU Day!

The Kingston Whig-Standard Thu Jun 11 2015

Four million hungry Canadians. More than a million kids living in Canadian households where there is not enough food. Almost 20,000 Kingstonians living in poverty. More than 6,500 people using Kingston's Partners in Mission Food Bank. These are overwhelming statistics. Where do we even begin to tackle hunger? For more than 30 years, we have turned to food banks to solve hunger. The idea that food banks can make hunger disappear is appealing in its simplicity. Hungry people need food. If we give food to hungry people, then they won't be hungry anymore. Makes sense, doesn't it? Unfortunately, the food bank solution to hunger isn't working. Last fall, the executive director of the Partners in Mission Food Bank described hunger in Kingston as a "crisis" that is "off the scale." There are simply too many hungry people and there is not enough food.

It is not the fault of Partners in Mission or its many good-hearted volunteers that Kingston's food bank can't meet the demand. The problem is just too big. Food banks regularly restrict how often clients can get food and how much food they can receive. Even still, many food banks run low on food and some even have to close their doors until the shelves are restocked. Don't we just have to donate more food? If only more of us donated more food, then surely the problem would be solved. This is what we are told repeatedly in food drive campaigns. From the grocery store to the hockey game to the muffler repair service, we are continually implored to donate to "drive out hunger" or "fill the food bank." Increasingly, we are asked to "get the word out" by using social media hashtags and posting photos of our donations.

The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton) Tue May 20 2014

The provincial government hopes its Home First strategy will help seniors remain safely in their homes longer. It announced it's investing $7.2 million in the first year of the program. "Helping keep seniors at home longer means optimizing the entire continuum of care to ensure the system is delivering effective support," said Social Development Minister Madeleine Dubé. "It is essential that seniors receive the highest quality of care and the necessary programs and services to help achieve that goal." Home First is a three-year plan to enhance healthy aging and care in New Brunswick.

The Globe and Mail Wed Jun 4 2014

In the 1950s and '60s, Canadians across the country decided to create a public health-care system, following Saskatchewan's pioneering reforms in the late 1940s. These changes were very controversial at the time, with many doctors opposing the "socialization" of services that were previously provided mostly on a private, for-profit basis. A half-century later, despite the many problems that plague our health-care system, the vast majority of us believe that universal access to publicly provided health care is the right thing for Canada.

Environmental policies implemented today need to be seen as investments in our future - investments that yield both a cleaner environment and a stronger economy. Keeping our air more breathable reduces the future costs of our public health-care system, and frees up resources for other things. Better protection of our forests and rivers improves our future potential for a wide range of industries that rely on these natural assets. Accepting that a strong economy and a healthy environment ultimately go hand in hand is the first step in what could be Canada's next major economic project. The second step is to explore the kinds of policies we could use to improve both. I'll address that issue in my next column.

Montreal Gazette Wed Jan 7 2015

But Dr. Gaétan Barrette, Quebec's health minister since April, seems to thrive offthe criticism as he pushes ahead with major reforms to the province's health-care system.

The big question, though, is whether the minister has the support of the public and the medical community to accomplish those reforms - already dubbed "la révolution Barrette" - when the National Assembly reconvenes on Feb. 10.

Hamilton Spectator Fri Dec 12 2014

"Try to think of a word more hated than "taxes"! Right! Let's lay our cards on the table and say we are talking taxes. Politicians promise lower taxes and, therefore, more disposable income if we vote for them. They turn "taxes" into a hated word. The promise of lowering them is like luring a bear to a honey pot because many of the electorate believe they will be better off financially. This is a myth. One has only to note all the "extras" for which you would fork out on a daily basis - that is, if you are fortunate enough to have the income. It's been said "taxes are what one pays for a civilized society."

And we are civilized, aren't we? Taxes pay for all the services we expect to receive in a first-world country: health care, social workers, schools, libraries, bridges, roads, clean drinking water and sanitation, parks, food and building inspectors - and more. If these necessities are not being delivered it's likely taxes are being misappropriated or are insufficient - or maybe both. It's clear we have allowed ourselves to be bamboozled by politicians who promise that if we vote for whoever is electioneering, we shall have halcyon shopping days using the extra money that otherwise would have been lifted from us in taxes. The word "bamboozled" is used advisedly. Take our hospitals. In the 21st century, in Canada, are these institutions meeting the needs of all Canadians, no matter the income? The answer is no. This is not to say that there are not many patients who feel they have received good care. But we are talking about "all Canadians" and not only those who have spun the wheel and been lucky. There are so many horror stories in the media concerning mistakes made and neglect of patients that you feel sorry for conscientious staff from all hospital departments who may feel their efforts are not appreciated. These employees go to work each day and do their best, despite being overworked and stressed.

The Globe and Mail Wed Jan 21 2015

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is calling on the federal government to create a new annual transfer to the provinces specifically for infrastructure, in the same way that Ottawa already transfers billions each year for health care and social services. The Premier delivered a speech in Ottawa on Tuesday that outlines her proposal and called for infrastructure spending to be a key issue in the 2015 federal election campaign. "As we enter an election year, I issue a challenge to all the federal parties and their leaders: Tell Canadians how you will help to build a stronger economic union across our country," she said, at a gathering of the Canada 2020 policy forum. The Premier said Ottawa should have a "Canadian infrastructure partnership" that would aim to spend 5 per cent of gross domestic product on infrastructure.

The Ontario Premier said Ottawa should boost spending on infrastructure despite its loss of revenues due to lower oil prices. She said Canada currently spends about 3 to 3.5 per cent of GDP on infrastructure and hitting the 5 per cent target would mean spending an additional $30billion from all levels of government. Provinces generally prefer transfers that have few strings attached and bristle at federal requests to have a say in which specific infrastructure projects will receive federal funding. The federal government's $14billion infrastructure fund is a 10year program and Ottawa is currently accepting proposals for specific projects. The application process has led to finger-pointing between Ottawa and Ontario because there is still no list of approved projects.

Toronto Star Wed Mar 4 2015

British Columbia struck the first blow. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland and New Brunswick followed suit. Ontario is poised to join them.

Fifteen years ago, Canada had a working model of a national pharmacare plan. Seniors in every province, regardless of income, were entitled to public coverage for all prescription drugs. Their only out-of-pocket expense was a small co-payment.

March 10, 2015

Bright yellow flyers have been sent to mailboxes, displayed in public areas and notices have been included in church bulletins. There should be no excuses for residents of Eastern Kings County to be unaware of tonight’s public meeting on improving health care services for the region. The pamphlet’s colour is an obvious warning sign that residents are not satisfied with Health P.E.I.’s treatment of Eastern Kings and are seeking assurances things will improve.

March 13, 2015

With the province facing fiscal challenges, Dr. Wendy Graham says the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association is paying particular attention to the effective use of the province’s health resources.

While doctors’ first responsibility is the health and well-being of their patients, they also must be stewards of the health care system.

Micro-management of the health system not the answer

Quebec has begun the process of reforming its beleaguered health care system yet again with the introduction of Bill 10. But will Bill 10 fulfill its promises of reconfiguring the organization and governance of Quebec’s health and social services?

Nearly 3000 nurses, nurse practitioners, RPNs, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and allied health professionals at CCACs across the province went on strike January 30. CUPE Ontario supports our sisters and brothers in ONA in their fight for a fair contract, and encourages members to join ONA picket lines in solidarity.

"We must stand together and make sure the provincial government hears how their budgets are cutting services and putting the squeeze on dedicated, front-line workers," says CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn. "This fight is our fight. What nurses face today is what we all face every day. Together, we shall overcome government cuts and unfair employers. Together, we shall build the Ontario we all deserve."

Toronto Star Fri Jan 30 2015

As Canada's premiers prepare to gather in Ottawa on Friday to meet as the Council of the Federation, we would like to remind them why a national seniors strategy must be high on their agenda. The Mental Health Commission of Canada reported last week that family caregivers in Canada are experiencing extreme stress. Among those aged 15 and over who provide care to an immediate family member with a chronic condition, 16.5 per cent reported very high levels of stress. Some 35 per cent of the workforce is providing care to a relative or friend, accounting for an annual loss in productivity of $1.3 billion.

Statistics Canada reports that family caregivers contribute an estimated $5 billion of unpaid labour to the health-care system. As our country's older population grows, the need for care will only multiply. Recent Nanos public opinion polls conducted for the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association found that an overwhelming majority of Canadians want the federal parties to improve financial support to family caregivers and to make seniors care part of their election platforms. The tumbling dollar and sagging oil prices may get the headlines from the Jan. 30 council meeting. The real story, however, is how our municipal, provincial and federal treasuries are at risk of being overwhelmed by Canada's growing senior population and the health-care system's inability to meet the demand.

Toronto Star Mon Feb 9 2015

Four years ago, Michael Ignatieff presented himself as a smart, sophisticated patriot, eminently qualified to lead the nation. Voters perceived him as an aloof, self-absorbed academic who didn't understand the country or its people. His political career was mercifully brief.

But the former Liberal leader got one thing right: He recognized unpaid caregivers as the backbone of Canada's health-care system and offered them support. His "family care plan" would have given workers caring for a seriously ill family member six months of paid leave and offered those outside with no earnings a monthly allowance of $1,350. Ignatieff's proposal sank with him in the last federal election. The Liberals have not resurrected it.

by Amy Katz, Ahmed Bayoumi, Azad Mashari & Andrew Pinto (Show all posts by Amy Katz, Ahmed Bayoumi, Azad Mashari & Andrew Pinto) March 25, 2015

Recently, Access Alliance, a community health centre in Toronto, posed an interesting challenge to fellow health care, education, child care and social service organizations: get rid of precarious jobs in the public sector.

The Globe and Mail Thu Jan 28 2016

The Liberal government has made so many ambitious promises that a mixture of relief and surprise greets the discovery of promises it could have made, but did not. Take health care, an important area of social policy where the Liberals, being Liberals, made a host of smallish promises. However, several big promises the party did not make are as interesting and important as the ones it did.

For example, the Liberals did not promise a national pharmacare program, as did the New Democrats, and as advocated by Ontario's Liberal government. The Liberals did not promise, as do the NDP and health-care unions, to restore annual 6-percent increases in federal transfer payments to the provinces for health care. The Liberals did not mention by how much the transfers would rise, but it will be something less than 6 per cent. The final number will emerge from tug-of-war negotiations with the provinces.

Government gives union representing more than 100,000 employees until Monday to reconsider its position

Mar 04, 2016

A Quebec union representing over 100,000 public workers in health care and social services has rejected a tentative deal with the provincial government.

The Leader-Post (Regina) Mon Oct 26 2015

In the final sitting of the legislature before the spring election, Premier Brad Wall's government plans to pass Bill 179 to facilitate private user-pay MRIs in Saskatchewan. As a longtime family doctor, I see this as a cynical political move that caters to public fears about long wait lists for imaging, but which will actually work to make things worse for patients who truly need an MRI.

There is very clear evidence that, far from relieving pressures in the public system, offering a separate stream for the wealthy to jump the queue actually lengthens public wait lists. This has been shown over and over again, whether it be with cataract surgery, diagnostic imaging or surgical procedures. MRI is no different.

October 24, 2015

A bizarre two-year era of one-person rule over Alberta's massive, sprawling health care agency came to an end yesterday when the New Democratic Government of Premier Rachel Notley appointed a conventional board of directors to run Alberta Health Services.