Category: Department Health

N.S. government has twice warned ambulance provider about poor service, says health minister

The Nova Scotia government has issued two warnings in recent months to Emergency Medical Care, the company that has provided ambulance service to the province for almost 25 years, that it’s dissatisfied with the level of service it is providing.

Health Minister Michelle Thompson told reporters about the formal warnings on Friday following question period at Province House, where she was asked about a two-hour wait for ambulances after a serious accident on a highway near Annapolis Royal. A driver and three children were seriously hurt in that crash, on Feb. 15. 

“There have been two letters of warning issued to [Emergency Medical Care] in the last number of months,” Thompson said.

She described the relationship between her department and EMC as a partnership, but maintained her department would not shy away from its responsibility as a “regulator,” including fining the company, if need be. It’s a threat that’s been levied before but, to date, the department has not fined EMC. In fact, the company has never been fined for failing to meet its contractual obligations. 

Still need to hire more staff

Jeff Fraser, the person in charge of Emergency Health Services at the Department of Health, later told reporters the warnings came last August and October. He said the first one was resolved but the most recent one, related to an inadequate supply of available ambulances, remained a work in progress.

Fraser said the problem is a lack of staff, a problem not unique to Nova Scotia.

“The government has helped out here by providing a fair package for paramedics, that EMC and the union negotiated, and we really need to dig in and lean in on what’s happening around recruitment and retention,” said Fraser. “That is clearly EMC’s responsibility to staff the system.”

A woman with dark hair and glasses, wearing a blazer.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson told

Trudeau talks health care during his stop in Sudbury, Ont.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Sudbury, Ont. on Friday where he reiterated the federal government’s $200-billion investment into health care over the next 10 years.

“We know that as we look to improve healthcare systems and healthcare outcomes for Canadians we need to make sure it’s being measured in a rigorous, transparent, comparable way so people can know what their tax dollars are delivering in terms of improvements to our healthcare system,” Trudeau said during a press conference at the Health Sciences North hospital.

“It also is about modernizing the system, getting rid of fax machines, making sure that people have access to health care data and that their specialists or their pharmacists have access to the right information to make sure people get the best quality of care.”

The prime minister referenced an announcement from 2022 that NOSM University, the northern Ontario medical school with campuses in Sudbury and Thunder Bay, is adding 30 undergraduate spots and 41 postgraduate spots to help serve rural and remote communities.

A man standing at a microphone with four people in the background.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a press conference at the Labelle Innovation & Learning Centre at Health Sciences North in Sudbury, Ont., Friday, March 1, 2024. He is joined by David McNeil president and CEO of Sudbury’s Health Sciences North, left to right, Liberal MPs Viviane Lapointe and Marc Serre and Ray Hunt, COO of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. (The Canadian Press)

Sudbury MP Vivianne Lapointe said health care is an issue that comes up a lot with her constituents.

“Their concerns for accessing health care, their concerns for accessing wait list physicians and the vital care that they need,” she said.

“And I can tell you that our federal government has listened, has heard you.”

Trudeau said the government’s new pharmacare plan is a “huge step

Dr. Naseri’s Revolutionary Approach to Empowering Women’s Health

Welcome to our International Women’s Day series, where we shine a spotlight on women who are forging paths and making significant impacts in the field of medicine, particularly in women’s health. 

Today, we are honored to introduce Dr. Sara Naseri, CEO and Co-Founder of Qvin, a trailblazing company at the forefront of women’s health technology. In our conversation, Dr. Naseri shares insights into the inspiration behind Qvin, the groundbreaking Q-Pad™ technology, and how their work contributes to this year’s theme of inspiring inclusion in healthcare.

Join us as we delve into the challenges and triumphs of innovating in women’s health, and learn how Qvin’s technologies are empowering women and people who menstruate, especially in underrepresented communities, to take control of their health in unprecedented ways.

Firstly, please introduce yourself and outline your career to date. More specifically, could you share with us what inspired you to co-found Qvin and delve into the realm of women’s health technology?

I was passionate about enabling people to be more preventative about their health and wanted to find a way that would allow patients to obtain clinically relevant information about their health regularly and non-invasively.

When I was in medical school, I identified menstrual blood as a simple way to gain health insights non-invasively and regularly for half of the world’s population – females. I led a research team that in 2019 published one of the first peer reviewed studies on the clinical relevancy of menstrual blood, previously considered waste, in the Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Medicine in 2019.

My team and I proved that essential health information can be gleaned from menstrual blood and I then went on to Co-Found Qvin and its pioneering Q-Pad™for women globally.

70% of medical decisions are made based on blood testing and lab work. The traditional

Halifax Lawyer Raises Health Concerns for Client in Nova Scotia Justice Dept. Sexual Abuse Case

A Halifax lawyer, Devin Maxwell, expresses profound concern over the health and safety implications for his client due to the extensive questioning planned by provincial lawyers in a civil sexual abuse lawsuit against Nova Scotia’s Department of Justice. Maxwell’s client is suing the government for abuse by Cesar Lalo, known as one of Nova Scotia’s most egregious pedophiles. Lalo, a former probation officer, was implicated in numerous cases of child abuse, leading to multiple civil lawsuits against him and the province, even after his death in 2019.

Unprecedented Legal Battle

The legal fight against Nova Scotia’s Department of Justice is intensifying as the case approaches the discovery phase, where Maxwell’s client will undergo questioning by government lawyers for two days. This procedure is part of a series of lawsuits following landmark rulings that found the province vicariously liable for Lalo’s actions, resulting in significant damage awards. Despite Lalo’s death, the lawsuits continue, highlighting the long-lasting impact of his crimes.

Concerns Over the Discovery Process

Maxwell’s worries stem from the potential psychological impact this extensive questioning could have on his client, who has spent a lifetime trying to repress memories of the abuse. The decision to allocate two full days for questioning has raised alarms, not only for Maxwell but also for the victim’s counsellor, both of whom fear for the client’s well-being. Maxwell questions the necessity of such a prolonged process, especially given the province’s previous commitments to sensitivity towards abuse victims.

Response from the Justice Department

In response to Maxwell’s concerns, the Justice Department emphasized its commitment to treating every claim with sensitivity and respect, while also conducting the necessary fact-finding to review claims. They encouraged Maxwell to bring his concerns directly to the department’s legal services division. Despite the ongoing legal challenges, the exact number of active

Would you cross the border for health care? 42% Canadians say yes in poll – National

Amid Canada’s ongoing battle with prolonged emergency room wait times and staffing challenges, a new poll finds that many are willing to journey southward in pursuit of timely health care, even if it means paying out of pocket.

The Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News found that 42 per cent of respondents would go to the United States and personally pay for more routine health care if needed. That is up 10 percentage points compared with January 2023.

And 38 per cent of respondents said they would travel to the U.S. and personally pay for emergency care (up nine points from a year ago).


Click to play video: 'Ontario signs on to $3.1B health-care deal with federal government'


Ontario signs on to $3.1B health-care deal with federal government


“I think the increase is happening because of the increasing level of frustration that Canadians have in the health-care system,” Sean Simpson, vice-president of Ipsos Public Affairs, told Global News.

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“It’s not the quality of care that that people are upset about, it is the timely access to care, meaning wait times in emergency rooms, wait times to see specialists, to get appointments, for screening. As a result, we have a significant chunk of the population say if they can get that service elsewhere, such as the United States, they may consider doing so.”

The Ipsos polling comes as provinces continue to struggle with shortages of family physicians, escalating wait times for surgeries and escalation of emergency room backlogs.

Speaking at a media conference Monday, Health Minister Mark Holland was questioned about Canadians’ inclination to seek medical treatment in the U.S. He responded that “unequivocally that private care is not the answer.”


Click to play video: 'New IPSOS polls paints bleak healthcare picture'


New IPSOS polls paints bleak healthcare picture


“Going and paying your way out of your circumstance creates a terrible malady in our system. Because what it means

Threats to health care sector targets likely to stay ‘elevated’ amid cultural wars: DHS

Threats to health care locations and those who work there are surging and are likely to stay “elevated,” as a result of cultural and divisive issues like abortion, gender-related care and a hangover from debates caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, federal intelligence analysts said.

The brew of hot-button socio-medical issues litigated both in the public square and in the courts will “amplify the health care sector’s visibility as a potential target for attack” by domestic extremists, according to a new briefing memo issued by the Department of Homeland Security on Feb. 26.

PHOTO: The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

An exterior view of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Building in Washington D.C., United States on January 5, 2023. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Anadolu Agency

The confidential analysis, obtained by ABC News, describes a diverse array of dangers these mounting threats could pose: from harm to patients through compromised care, to causing a chilling effect on clinicians through harassment and intimidation, to ideologically motivated cyber attacks targeting health care providers and networks.

“Violent extremist threats against the health care and public health sector have diversified since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, and will likely remain elevated in the post-pandemic era due to the expansion of medical-related ideological grievances,” the DHS bulletin said.

PHOTO: The U.S. Department of Justice seal on a podium in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Aug. 5, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Justice seal on a podium in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Aug. 5, 2021.

Samuel Corum/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

A recent “escalation in threats of violence targeting health care facilities and personnel” has included “hoax bomb threats against hospitals, attempts to incite violence through doxing [public release of personal information like addresses and phone numbers] and calls to execute particular physicians, public officials, or pharmaceutical executives,” the bulletin said.

The “surge” in threats

Healthcare Information Management Systems Society Recognizes HIMSS 2024 Changemakers in Health Award Recipients

February 29, 2024 — The Healthcare Information Management Systems Society, HIMSS, recently announced it HIMSS 2024 Changemaker in Health Awards and scholarship recipients, according to an announcement published Jan. 25 by the organization. In so doing, HIMSS reports the awards — presented in 12 categories — recognize those helping transform the global health ecosystem, and “celebrates inspirational and innovative healthcare leaders for their relentless pursuit to improve care by harnessing the power of information and technology.” The statement detailing the awards congratulated the winners, adding, “HIMSS Changemakers are inspiring leaders who rigorously challenge the status quo in their journey to build a brighter health future.”

The 2024 HIMSS Changemaker Award Recipients across 12 categories include:

HIMSS Chapter Advocate Volunteer Award

Christopher Kunney, CPHIMS, FACHDM, MSMOT, Advocacy Chair, HIMSS Georgia Chapter, Atlanta, GA

HIMSS Chapter Leader Volunteer Award

Kendall Brown, Southeast Sales Director, Centrak, HIMSS South Florida Chapter, Miami Beach, FL

HIMSS Global Patient Innovator Award

Grace Cordovano, PhD, BCPA, Co-Founder, Unblock Health, West Caldwell, NJ

Guido Giunti, MD, PhD, MBA(c), NeuroInsight MSCA Fellow, Trinity College Dublin, Adjunct Professor, Digital Health, University of Oulu, Dublin, Ireland | Oulu, Finland

HIMSS Health Equity Award was presented to the following 5 persons:

Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, FASA, FAMIA, FCPP, Senior Associate Dean and Director, Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, Professor, Anesthesiology at Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Marina El Khawand, Founder and President, Medonations, Beirut, Lebanon

Gabriel Garcia-Lopez, MSHI, CPHIMS, Health Information Systems Director, Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles, CA

Monika Sonu, DR, Co-Founder and Director, New Product Development, Healthinnovation Toolbox, Bengaluru, India

Donald Warne, MD, MPH, Co-Director, Center for Indigenous Health, Professor, Public Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD

HIMSS John A. Page Distinguished Fellow Award

Olga Kagan, PhD, RN, CIMI, FAAAAI,

Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 70 killed in strike on Palestinians waiting for aid

By Wafaa Shurafa And Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated Press on February 29, 2024.

Workers remove rubble at the site where three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in Faraa refugee camp near the West Bank town of Tubas, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Israeli troops shot and killed three Palestinian men including Mohamed Daraghmeh, a co-founder of the local branch of the Islamic Jihad militant group, in the northern town of Tubas, early Tuesday, Palestinian health authorities said. Thee was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 70 people were killed in a strike on a crowd of Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid.

Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said another 280 were wounded in the strike early Thursday in Gaza City.

The Israeli military says it is looking into the reports.

The Al Jazeera network aired footage showing a large number of bodies and wounded people being brought into local hospitals, some loaded onto donkey carts.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – The Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday that over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war nearly five months ago, as a strike on a crowd of people waiting for aid in Gaza City killed and wounded dozens, according to local hospital officials.

Gaza City and the rest of northern Gaza were the first targets of Israel’s air, sea and ground offensive launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. The area has suffered widespread devastation and has been largely isolated from the rest of the territory for months, with little aid entering.

Aid groups say it has become nearly impossible to deliver humanitarian assistance in most of Gaza, in part

‘Cybercriminals’ stole patient, employee data at Lexington Medical Center, lawsuit alleges

Cybercriminal hackers breached secure defenses at Lexington Medical Center and made off with patient and employee data, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday, Feb. 29, in federal court in Columbia.

The 32-page lawsuit was filed by Michelle Sutherland, who identifies herself as a citizen of Lexington and a former patient at Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia.

The records of as many as 1.7 million employees or patients at Lexington Medical Center may have been compromised, the lawsuit alleged.

The lawsuit seeks class action status. A judge must grant that status, which would allow for other, similar lawsuits filed against Lexington Medical Center to be grouped together and tried as a whole. So far, Sutherland’s appears to be the first.

A hospital spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

As required by South Carolina law when data breach at large companies occur, Lexington Medical Center filed a public notice of the breach on Feb. 12 with the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs. I

That public notice said one Lexington Medical Center employee’s email account and an individual data drive had been breached on Oct. 4. The hospital then did an “extensive forensic investigation and manual document review” and discovered that the employee’s email account and associated individual drive contained Personal Identifiable Information and Protected Health Information, the public notice said.

Lexington Medical Center’s Feb. 12 public notice said their breach affected 1,942 South Carolina residents and did not contain the 1.7 million number of potentially affected individuals that the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit gave as its source for its figure a Feb. 20 article in a digital medical newsletter called Medriva.

The public notice also apologized for the breach. “We are committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information in our possession and have taken many precautions to safeguard it. We

10 Palestinian children die of hunger in Gaza: Health Ministry

At least 10 Palestinian children have died from malnutrition and dehydration at hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip as the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Strip worsens.

Subhan Bakery Instagram

In a statement, on Thursday, February 29, Ashraf Al-Qudra, spokesman for the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, said that the latest deaths were of four children at the Kamal Adwan Hospital, the Quds News Agency reported.

Earlier on Wednesday, February 28, the ministry said four children died at the Kamal Adwan Hospital and two others at the Al-Shifa Medical Complex.

MS Education Academy

“We ask international agencies to intervene immediately to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in northern Gaza,” Al-Qudra said.

“The international community is facing a moral and humanitarian test to stop the genocide in Gaza.”

Kamal Adwan Hospital Director Ahmad al-Kahlout emphasized the need for urgent relief to prevent more children from dying.

Taking to Instagram, journalist Ebrahem Musalam shows an infant in the pediatric department at Kamal Adwan Hospital, and power outflow fluctuates.

He said that the malnutrition and infant formula shortage among department children, with devices unable to function due to power outages caused by fuel shortages.

On February 19, UNICEF emphasized the serious threat of malnutrition among children, and pregnant and lactating

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