Bilodeau: Traditional thinking isn’t going to fix Canada’s health care

The Canada Health Act was a good solution for its time, but hanging on to it with a kind of religious fervour will just make things worse. No policy is good forever.

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If there were easy solutions to the current crisis in our health-care system, they would likely have been found by now. Playing every few years with the structure, like most provinces do — centralizing-decentralizing-recentralizing — has produced no observable improvement.

Our system has been deteriorating for a number of years, and repairing what has been broken will also take a long time. So I am not proposing a solution but rather a series of ideas that may, over a decade or so, lead to significant improvement.

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Ontario budget: billions of dollars of new funding for health care





Liam Casey, The Canadian Press







Published Tuesday, March 26, 2024 4:21PM EDT






Last Updated Tuesday, March 26, 2024 4:50PM EDT

TORONTO – Ontario is set to inject billions of new dollars into health care, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows.

The province said it is investing $2 billion over three years in home care services, nearly $1 billion more for hospitals and hundreds of millions to expand primary care coverage.

“Ontarians are also counting on us to maintain a strong health-care system now and for future generations,” said Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy as he released the budget on Tuesday.

The province previously committed $1 billion over three years as part of its reforms for home and community care, which sees care providedat home or in a community setting by nurses, personal support workers and others.

“I don’t know many people who don’t want to age at home with their loved ones in familiar surroundings,” Bethlenfalvy said.

The finance minister said the new money for home care will be spent on increasing compensation for nurses, personal support workers and other front-line home care providers.

“A big chunk of this money is going to supporting the wages and recruiting and retaining more health-care workers so they can take care of people where they want to be taken care of,” Bethlenfalvy said.

Home care agencies have struggled to attract and retain nurses and personal support workers because there is more pay for those professions in hospitals and long-term care homes.

Home Care Ontario, which represents agencies that provide about 28,000 health-care workers who are sent to people’s homes, applauded the new funding.

“Today’s historic investment in the province’s home care system is great news for

Surgical procedure information added to MySaskHealth record

Saskatchewan patients have even more of their own health information at their fingertips with the addition of a new Surgical Procedures feature on MySaskHealthRecord accounts.

The feature is a first in Canada and with its introduction, anyone with an account can now see information about upcoming surgeries, including:

* Scheduled procedure date

* Specialist/surgeon’s name

* Procedure name(s)

* Procedure location

* Status of procedure

Accounts will also contain information about surgical procedures performed from 2018 onwards.

“MySaskHealthRecord puts important personal health information literally in the palm of a patient’s hand,” Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Tim McLeod said. “Saskatchewan continues to lead in allowing patients to access their own personal health information in an easy-to-use format. I’m happy to say that we’re the first province to make information about upcoming surgical procedures available to patients through their online health record.”

The Surgical Procedures feature will be accessible online and via the app for anyone who has a MySaskHealthRecord account. Patients awaiting surgery should already be able to see information about their upcoming procedures. Patients can also sign up for push notifications, alerting them to information.

“When patients like me can access medical information, it lets us become active participants in our own health care and reduces the anxiety that can come from not knowing,” Patient Family Partner Wendy Kopciuch said. “Having access to information about upcoming surgical procedures means I can have informed conversations with my health care team, and also arrange my personal and professional life to accommodate my surgery date.”

“Well-informed patients are better prepared for appointments with their health care providers and can be more directly involved in decisions impacting their surgical procedures,” Provincial Department Head of Surgery for the Saskatchewan Health Authority Dr. Michael Kelly said. “When patients can

9 Sustainable Fashion Apps To Green Up Your Clothing & Closet

We all know the phrase, “There’s an app for that,” and dressing clean and green is no different. 

These sustainable fashion apps make curating a conscious closet easier than ever. 

Whether it’s shopping for preloved clothing, finding new clothes by ethical brands, or recycling unloved garments, there’s an app to turn your smartphone into a sustainable fashion superstar.

Our Curated List Of Sustainable & Ethical Clothing Apps

1. Good On You

Sustainable Fashion Apps by Good On You
Images by pebble magazine and Good On You

Good On You’s Sustainable Fashion App 

Good On You is one of the best sustainable clothing apps for finding ethical brands that put their money where their mouth is.

More than a million people use it to shop ethically and share their views on popular brands.

Use it to check and compare brands based on their comprehensive rating system which scores them a number out of five from ‘We Avoid’ (1) to ‘Great’ (5) based on their impact on people, planet and animals. 

The app has over 3000 ethical brand ratings; if you can’t find one, you can ask them to rate it.

You can also discover sustainable fashion tips and edits, browse ethical brands and receive exclusive offers from highly rated brands.

2. thredUP

Sustainable Fashion Apps by thredUP
Images by pebble magazine and thredUP

thredUP’s Fashion Resale App

thredUP brings all the fun of thrifting as a means of sustainable clothing shopping to your cell phone.

The online consignment store has an app which lets you buy and sell secondhand clothes and accessories from over 55k name brands, including Zara, Patagonia, and Gucci.

Find vintage and secondhand styles with prices up to 90% off the retail price. 

Currently, the app only supports women’s and kids’ clothes but there are over 1,000 new arrivals daily. You can also set up notifications for price drops and

Lebanon Travel Advice & Safety

The security situation in the region remains unpredictable and could deteriorate with little or no warning.

Political changes in the region and international events may prompt large demonstrations or violence. Planned and on-the-spot demonstrations can take place.

Anti-government protests occur. Protests may target key institutions and sites, including banks. Some can be large and escalate into violent clashes between protesters and security forces.

Authorities use various measures to break up crowds, including:

  • water cannons
  • tear gas 
  • live ammunition

These measures have resulted in injuries.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent, including the use of weapons. You could be caught in violence directed at others.

During civil unrest and times of heightened tensions:

  • avoid all crowds, protests and demonstrations
  • pay close attention to your personal security
  • monitor the media and other sources for news on planned and possible actions
  • avoid areas where violence has occurred or is likely to occur
  • plan your activities to avoid potential unrest on days of national significance
  • be prepared to change your travel plans in case of disruptions

If you’re in an area affected by clashes:

  • stay indoors and away from windows and balconies
  • follow the advice of local authorities

Stay indoors during celebratory gunfire, which has caused casualties, and often happens during and after political speeches, weddings, funerals and religious and new year holidays. 

If transport disruptions affect your travel plans, contact your airline, travel agent or insurer for help.

Leave Lebanon if you’re concerned about your safety.

More information:

Beirut

In times of civil unrest, avoid areas of Beirut where protests are known to occur.

In Beirut, protests sometimes close main highways. Burning of tyres to block main roads is common. Groups protest against:

  • government policies
  • the situation in Syria
  • the security environment
  • the deteriorating social and

Doctors Nova Scotia concerned about proposed changes to health information law

The organization that represents more than 3,500 physicians, medical students and residents in Nova Scotia is concerned with provisions in legislation introduced by the minister of finance on March 5 as part of the budget process.

Doctors Nova Scotia said clauses in the Financial Measures Act to amend the Personal Health Information Act would grant the minister of health and her department expanded access to the health records of Nova Scotians.

“The way that the legislation is written is quite broad and it’s not entirely clear the information they might be accessing,” Dr. Colin Audain, president of Doctors Nova Scotia, told CBC Radio’s Information Morning on Thursday.

The second last clause in the 35-page bill would amend the law governing health records by including an additional obligation for doctors and other care providers “to disclose personal health information to the minister or a person acting on behalf of the minister for the purposes of planning and management of the health system, resource allocation and creating or maintaining electronic health record programs and services.”

Audain said Health Department officials have told his organization that the purpose is to allow patients to access their own records through the YourHealthNS app the province launched last November.

The department also said it wants to collect aggregate information in order to better plan services or reallocate resources.

A woman with dark hair and glasses sits at a podium.
Michelle Thompson is Nova Scotia’s health minister. (Robert Short/CBC)

“As far as we know, the information that they’re looking for right now is fairly narrow, and it includes things like the date of a visit, the provider’s name, the reason for the visit and the results of diagnostic imaging, blood and other lab tests,” said Audain.

“But I think what we’re concerned about is the broad nature of the legislation, and the fact that if there were other

Canada Adaptive Clothing Market to Reach US$ 79.08 Million by 2031, Rising at a CAGR of 8.7%

CMI

CMI

Adaptive clothing is clothes tailored for people living with disabilities. It includes clothing options for mobility, deformity, and therapeutic needs to provide independence and comfort. Adaptive clothing enhance dignity and confidence.

Burlingame, March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to CoherentMI, the Canada Adaptive Clothing Market was valued at US$ 44.10 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach a value of US$ 79.08 Million by 2031 at a CAGR of 8.7% during forecast period 2024 and 2031.

Market Dynamics:

The Canada Adaptive Clothing market is driven by the rising demand for inclusive fashion, as the population with disabilities seeks functional and fashionable clothing options. Additionally, the increasing awareness about the importance of adaptive clothing in promoting independence and self-expression among individuals with disabilities is boosting market growth.

Moreover, the growing focus of fashion brands on expanding their offerings to cater to diverse customer needs is expected to further drive market growth in the coming years.

Canada Adaptive Clothing Market Report Snapshot:

Report Coverage

Details

Study Period

2023 – 2031

Base Year of Estimation

2023

 

CAGR

8.7%

 

Largest Market

Canada

Market Concentration

High

Major Players

Silvert’s Adaptive Clothing & Footwear, Izzy Camilleri, NBZ Apparel International, Able2Wear, Professional Fit Clothing and Among Others.

Segments Covered

By Product Type, By End User

Report Coverage

Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends

Growth Drivers

• Growing customer demand for apparel that accomodates elderly populations and disabilities
• Emphasis on Air Quality Has Affected Market Demand

Restraints & Challenges

• High prices of adaptive clothing
• Less awareness about the adaptive clothing

Key Market Takeaways:

  • Canada Adaptive Clothing Market Size is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period 2023-2031, owing to the increasing demand for adaptive clothing among the geriatric population and disabled adults and children.

  • On

Staffing Issues at the County Health Department Are Affecting LA Restaurants

This story mentions a death by suicide.

The Los Angeles Times published a report on March 15, 2024, detailing operational issues impacting the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) and its food safety inspectors. In it, current and former field inspectors say that the department is short-staffed and struggling to fulfill its safety inspection duties, which they allege presents a health hazard to the public. Further, the increased workload and heightened responsibilities have taken a stressful toll on inspectors. The Times report comes in the wake of an inspector who died by suicide in February.

One of the report’s most concerning findings involves the department’s retention numbers, which have decreased dramatically in recent years, leaving fewer people to physically inspect the county’s food-related businesses and restaurants. The dozen current and five former LA County health inspectors interviewed by the Times allege that the department’s current employee retention issues began at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like other health departments across the country, LADPH’s inspectors added to its already demanding workload by administering new safety protocols. As a result of these new demands, the report says that many inspectors left the department for other jobs.

A department spokesperson told the Times that the county typically employs 244 field inspectors but currently has 69 vacancies. The health department is having difficulty locating qualified applicants, though 27 inspectors are currently in training. That leaves fewer inspectors tasked with examining food and restaurant safety, as well as rental properties, pet stores, massage establishments, and other businesses in the county.

The Times spoke to Judith Serlin, a representative from Teamsters Local 911, which is a union for workers in the private and public sector, including inspectors. Serlin alleged that management isn’t listening to its field inspectors’ concerns. She told the Times that

Prince Rupert couple recount ‘horror show’ amid ER closures

A Prince Rupert couple has been left harrowed after what they’re calling a “health care horror show” worsened by emergency department closures.

Tish Losier says she and her partner, Joe, were forced to wait for care outside an emergency room in Prince Rupert while it was closed overnight.

Losier tells CityNews she had to bring Joe into the ER a total of three times on Monday, after he began to experience grand mal seizures that morning.

When paramedics arrived, they informed her that the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Emergency Department was closed and offered to take Joe to Terrace — a 90 minute drive away.

Plagued by ongoing closures, this was the fourth time it was shuttered in as many days from 3 p.m. until 8 a.m. due to a physician shortage.

“I don’t know what the answer is, but I do know that our communities need help. Other communities need help. People’s lives are on the line,” said Losier.

“This could have ended differently. I’m grateful I still have him around.”

Tish Losier says she and her partner, Joe, were forced to wait for care outside an emergency room in Prince Rupert while it was closed overnight.

Tish Losier says she and her partner, Joe, were forced to wait for care outside an emergency room in Prince Rupert while it was closed overnight. (Photo courtesy of Tish Losier)

Losier initially agreed to go to Terrace, but by the time Joe stabilized, it was close to 7 a.m. and they decided it would be quicker to wait for the Prince Rupert ER to reopen.

“Of course I wanted him to be seen as soon as possible, so I agreed to stay in Prince Rupert,” said Losier.

“They drove him outside the hospital in an ambulance. We waited outside for over an hour for care. He had more seizures in the ambulance. It was absolutely terrifying.”

Once they saw a doctor, Losier says Joe was discharged because

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with Covid patients, emergency physician Dr. Sonya Stokes remains shaken by how unprepared and misguided the American health system was.

Hospital leadership instructed health workers to forgo protective N95 masks in the early months of 2020, as covid cases mounted. “We were watching patients die,” Stokes said, “and being told we didn’t need a high level of protection from people who were not taking these risks.”

Droves of front-line workers fell sick as they tried to save lives without proper face masks and other protective measures. More than 3,600 died in the first year. “Nurses were going home to their elderly parents, transmitting Covid to their families,” Stokes recalled. “It was awful.”

Across the country, hospital leadership cited advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the limits of airborne transmission. The agency’s early statements backed employers’ insistence that N95 masks, or respirators, were needed only during certain medical procedures conducted at extremely close distances.

Such policies were at odds with doctors’ observations, and they conflicted with advice from scientists who study airborne viral transmission. Their research suggested that people could get Covid after inhaling SARS-CoV-2 viruses suspended in teeny-tiny droplets in the air as infected patients breathed.

Ignoring this body of research was convenient at a time when N95s masks were in short supply and expensive, said Peg Seminario, an occupational health expert, and a former director at the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, which represents some 12 million workers.

Now, she and many others worry that the CDC is repeating past mistakes as it develops a crucial set of guidelines that hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and other facilities that provide health care will apply to control the spread of infectious diseases. The

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