Province will be first to meet wait-time benchmarks, health minister vows The Alberta government announced Tuesday a new plan to reduce surgical wait times by funding an additional 80,000 surgeries over the next four years as it expands agreements with private facilities — a move critics called a step toward “American-style health care.” “We promised […]
Montreal Children’s Hospital employs medical hypnosis to reduce anxiety, pain
MONTREAL – A Quebec hospital is touting the use of medical hypnosis after the results of a pilot project suggested it can reduce pain and anxiety in patients. The trial conducted at the Montreal Children’s Hospital also resulted in a reduction in the amount of medication administered to perform medical imaging procedures. “Patients don’t move. […]
WCB approves 2020 premium rates
The 2020 rate marks the first time in 12 years the average premium rate has not dropped Regina, SK, Dec. 4, 2019 – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has approved the 2020 average employer premium rate of $1.17 per hundred dollars of payroll. This is the same rate as 2019, marking the first time […]
Province plans to extend work leave for victims of sexual violence, stalking or their guardians
Status of Women Minister Cathy Cox introduced a bill in the legislature Monday that would amend employment code standards to allow anyone who suffered from interpersonal violence to take workplace leaves of absence. JESSICA BOTELHO-URBANSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Progressive Conservative government has introduced legislation that would extend employment leave provisions to victims of […]
MD in court to claim too-long waits give patients right to pay for private health care
Doctor’s 10-year-old case amounts to ‘political theatre,’ B.C government says Dr. Brian Day, 72, will step into a courtroom on Monday as final arguments begin in the culmination of a battle he launched a decade ago against the British Columbia government based on a constitutional challenge saying patients have a right to pay for private […]
Saskatchewan is expanding workers compensation to cover more cancers diagnosed in firefighters.
REGINA – Saskatchewan is expanding workers compensation to cover more cancers diagnosed in firefighters. Prostate, skin, breast, cervical, ovarian and multiple myeloma cancers are to be added to the Workers’ Compensation Board list on Friday. READ MORE
‘Slosh, slosh, slosh’: the maddening, twilight world of medical waiting lists
Our treasured health care system is corrupt, in the sense that not all of us are treated equally When Bill Bagyan was woken earlier this month, lying in a hotel room he’d paid for himself after making yet another drive to Ottawa from his home in Kingston, and was told told in sorrowful tones by […]
Finally, a viable way to offer public toilets downtown
Most people agree downtown Winnipeg needs more public washrooms. The problem has always been the expense. It costs a lot to buy, police and maintain an array of stand-alone toilet facilities. How about this as a less-expensive alternative? Require all new buildings that receive public money to provide and maintain washrooms open to the public. […]
Workplace mental health programs deliver healthier bottom lines
Deloitte analysis finds a median return on investment of $1.62 for every $1 spent Programs that promote good mental health at work aren’t just good for the people — they’re good for business, too. READ MORE
Folk fest agrees to pay former employee over human-rights complaint
Highest general-damage amount in a Manitoba human-rights case The Winnipeg Folk Festival has agreed to pay a breast cancer survivor $110,000 in lost wages and $20,000 in damages by not letting her return to work after her health battle. The $20,000 in general damages is the highest ever seen in a Manitoba human-rights case. READ […]