A new physician payment model will be rolled out by the B.C. government in February in a bid to recruit and retain more family physicians. At least 20 per cent of the province’s residents do not have access to family doctors and Health Minister Adrian Dix said October 31 that the new model will consider an array of factors involved in patient consultations rather than a single fee for all visits. [node:read-more:link]
With some studies suggesting that as many as half of civilian first responders such as firefighters and paramedics suffer from psychological trauma linked to their jobs, Wounded Warriors Canada is collaborating with First Responder Health Services in B.C. on a new digital mental health platform. The partnership is taking its training Canada-wide. [node:read-more:link]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced 11 March that the federal government is “pulling out all the stops” by setting up a $1-billion fund to address the potential continued spread of Covid-19. The total includes $275 million for more research, including vaccine development and, among other things, the one-week waiting period for employment insurance is being waived. [node:read-more:link]
FrontLine contributor and Occupational Health Nurse from Halifax ventures to work in New Zealand for a change of pace, and then COVID-19 hit. Here is a brief outline of some of those experiences helping out in New Zealand during this time of crisis. [node:read-more:link]
An Ottawa nurse has tested positive for the novel coronavirus just a few days after having received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As one of Ottawa’s front-line health-care workers, he had received his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Dec 18th and second dose exactly three weeks later, on Jan 8th. [node:read-more:link]
With a population of some 145 million, Russia has the world's fifth-largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases after the U.S., India, Brazil and France. Its official count topped two million this week as daily infections and deaths increased. “This topic is now a priority,” says a spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin. [node:read-more:link]
Canadians are being urged by Prime Minister Trudeau to reduce their social contacts as COVID-19 cases spike and an evolving surge threatens to overwhelm the health care network. “Canada could have up to 20,000 new cases daily by the end of December if we don’t limit or reduce our contacts now,” he said Nov. 20. “If we loosen and increase our contacts we could see tens of thousands more. I know this isn’t what people wanted to hear but we have to be realistic. [node:read-more:link]
Today, the director-general of the World Health Organization has issued an official declaration that the coronavirus is now officially a global emergency. The WHO committee praised China's commitment to transparency and the efforts made to investigate and contain the current outbreak. [node:read-more:link]
The Peel Paramedic Union, OPSEU Local 277, is warning that your family members' lives may be endangered if paramedics cannot find your location in time due to outdated maps on ambulance GPS units. [node:read-more:link]
The National Governors Association (NGA) today announced that five states – Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Utah and West Virginia – will participate in a policy academy on emergency communications interoperability. [node:read-more:link]
Norwegian air ambulance operator, NOLAS, became the first civil customer to receive an helicopter equipped with the advanced Helionix avionics system. [node:read-more:link]
A specialized treatment and rehabilitation unit provides citizens with an option to hospital care for rehabilitation needs. [node:read-more:link]
The United States Congress is praised for passing “The Kari’s Law Act of 2017” which requires direct dial access to 9- 1- 1 services from all devices. [node:read-more:link]
Airbus Helicopters signed a contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior for the purchase of 55 civil helicopters destined for search and rescue (SAR), public services, and emergency medical service (EMS) missions. The fleet will include 21 repurposed H225s, and 10 brand new H145s and 24 H125. The contract also foresees the setting up of a local training and maintenance centre. [node:read-more:link]
The third annual Rolling Barrage, a fund-raising cross-Canada motorcycle charity ride, will be stopping in Ottawa Aug. 11. The visit, beginning with the morning Changing of the Ceremonial Guard on Parliament Hill, will include the first annual Operation Resilient Maple, recognizing a member of the military hitherto overlooked for an achievement. Organizers hope to recognize first responders in later events. [node:read-more:link]
