The Canadian PressNovember 14, 2013 14:17 B.C. health ministry ignored most recommendations on seniors' care: report

VANCOUVER - British Columbia's Health Ministry has ignored most of the recommendations in a report on seniors' care in the province, says a think tank calling for government action for an aging population. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives said that of the 176 recommendations made in the February 2012 report by ombudswoman Kim Carter, 140 were specifically directed at the Health Ministry.

Feds to speed up foreign nurse approvals   The Canadian Press November 15, 2013

The federal government is trying to make it easier for foreign-trained nurses to have their credentials recognized by governing bodies.Employment Minister Jason Kenney announced Thursday the government is giving $4 million to projects to speed up credential recognition in Canada.

Losing access Windsor Star Fri Nov 15 2013

the government seems to be ignoring access as a dimension of quality care.

The importance of access is highlighted by one study exploring how patients with pancreatic cancer viewed the trade-off between lower operative mortality risk at a regional high volume cancer centre compared to local care. In this study, nearly half of patients preferred local surgery when the local operative mortality risk was twice that of a regional centre (6 per cent versus 3 per cent).

The 'Hypervirulent' attack; C. difficile detectives tackle a global menace with roots in Canada Calgary Herald Fri Nov 15 2013

Two strains of antibiotic resistant C. difficile that emerged in North America caused the global epidemic, the sleuths report. One emerged in the northeast U.S. a decade ago; the second, which they call FQR2, surfaced in Quebec. And it was FQR2 - the Quebec bug - that took offglobally, becoming a scourge in the U.K., continental Europe and Australia, the team reports. "It was the biggie," says Lawley.

Premiers seek clearer foreign investment rules CBC.CA News Fri Nov 15 2013

In addition to discussing ways to better attract investment to Canada, the premiers will also talk about the economy, the controversial , health care, retirement income and infrastructure.

Age-Friendly Communities in Ontario: Multi-Level Governance, Coordination Challenges and Policy Implications Symposium November 4, 2013 – November 5, 2013 Chestnut Residence and Conference Centre University of Toronto 89 Chestnut Street, Toronto

U of A patient stuck on gurney for 6 days after surgery CBC.CA News Wed Nov 13 2013

A University of Alberta Hospital patient says he spent six days on a gurney wedged between two hospital beds following abdominal and leg surgery last week, leaving him without privacy or even a place to store his clothing. "The bed I was on in emergency is the same bed I was on for the last six days," Tommy Carruthers told CBC News. Besides the lack of privacy, the gurney could not be elevated to allow his leg drain to work properly, he said.

Thursday, Nov 7, 2013

The right’s latest Obamacare lie: Scapegoating America’s seniors Obamacare foes blame the elderly for rising healthcare rates. Don't believe them Martha Albertson Fineman and Stu Marvel

We have had plenty of time to consider the possible implications of the inevitable aging of the baby boomers and respond with appropriate policies before a crisis emerged. Investment in the health of every person would have been a good place to begin.  As research data from our northern neighbors handily proves, the notion that the elderly are inevitable money pits for health dollars is simply not true. Last year the Canadian Institute for Health Information [CIHI] examined thirty-five years of health care costs with a particular focus on aging populations. Like other industrialized countries

Thursday, Oct 24, 2013

6 reasons privatization often ends in disaster Inequality is much more pervasive in the private sector. Just look at the median salary for US workers Paul Buchheit, AlterNet

1. The Profit Motive Moves Most of the Money to the Top

ANDRÉ PICARD - PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTER MONTREAL — The Globe and Mail Published Tuesday, Nov. 12 2013,

Universal health care has long been identified as one of the reasons the effects of income inequality are not seen as vividly in Canada as in countries such as the United States. While it has done much to improve outcomes – Canada enjoys one of the highest life expectancies at birth – experts say that medicare is only part of the answer, because medical care is only part of the overall health picture.

Low-income earners are less likely to have a family doctor or receive early treatment for health problems, even though care is available.

Painful to see senior parents suffering Hamilton Spectator Thu Nov 14 2013

This highly pertinent article clearly outlines the current disaster regarding the unacceptable shortage of long-term care beds in the region

The luxury of growing what we eat; Local Food Act could spell win-win for farmers and food banks Hamilton Spectator Thu Nov 14 2013

The Local Food Act also provides a mechanism for encouraging the use of more locally grown food, especially fruit and vegetables, by consumers and by our broader public sector institutions, such as schools, universities, hospitals, correctional facilities, long-term care homes and others.

Bargaining bulletin November 11, 2013

HEU reached a tentative settlement Monday with Compass Group/Marquise covering more than 1,400 housekeeping and food service workers in health care facilities operated by the Provincial Health Services Authority and the Vancouver Island Health Authority, as well Fraser Canyon Hospital in Hope (operated by Fraser Health Authority).

RPN Conference 2014 January 20, 2014 to January 22, 2014 Location: The Marriott Toronto Bloor Yorkville, Toronto

November 8, 2013   |   Volume 17 Issue 43 In Hansard ... Continuing care private member's bill in House of Commons

In the House of Commons last Thursday, NDP Health Critic Libby Davies introduced a private member’s bill (C-545) to establish pan-Canadian standards for continuing care best practices, caregiver support, training, infrastructure, and affordability. “It would ensure that the federal government would play a key role in a collaborative process with the provinces and the territories to meet the needs of Canadians who need home care, long-term care, or palliative care in a timely and accessible way.” NDP Ethics Critic Charlie Angus also introduced a motion to establish a national strategy on palliative care.

November 8, 2013   |   Volume 17 Issue 43 AHS suspends lab privatization plans

Alberta Health Services has put a stop, temporarily at least, to plans for a centralized, privately-run laboratory in Edmonton.