1921 replies to this topic

[Love the rock]

Yeah we all need free dental care for those pearly whites in our coffins when people are dying to see a doctor. 

[spanky123]

I'd pay $100.00 for a legitmate concern, and I'd do that all day long. $5K a year seems a bit much.

 

From what I understand with similar clinics (ie the Telus and False Creek ones), the $5K a year also gets you a full day physical which includes imaging, lab tests and consultation with a range of caregivers. Similar 'executive health' assessments generally cost $2,500 - $3,000 so I assume that is where the bulk of the annual fee goes. From what I have read, that is also where a lot of the controversy lies over who is paying for what.

 

If you are the type of person who sees a GP once every 5-10 years then this is probably not a service that would interest you. I know of lots of people however that have chronic, difficult to diagnose conditions that have to resort to google and home remedies for medical care because they really have nowhere else to turn. The 6 minutes you get with constantly changing tele-health providers give the GP enough time to hear a portion of your history and guess what the problem is. Ok in some cases, but not so great if your symptoms can be caused by one of a dozen or more issues. The GP could always refer you to a specialist of course as long as you can wait a year or two.

 

For those people, a few thousand a year to at least get time with someone who will listen to you is worth the investment.

Edited by spanky123, 02 May 2022 - 08:03 AM.

[JohnN]

Quebec reaches agreement with family physicians for better access to primary care

 

...... Quebec said the agreement would allow patients registered with a family doctor to access them within 36 to 72 hours, depending on their clinical situation. For those who are not registered with a family physician, a platform called the Guichet d'accès à la première ligne (family physician access window), which is under development, will be used to make appointments within a "reasonable" time frame.

[JohnN]

An emergency doctor's life: constant extra shifts, worry about being able to provide needed care

-- Region’s hospitals are operating beyond capacity, walk-in clinics full within hours of opening --

...Dix said this week it continues to be an extremely challenging time in health care given the dual pandemic and opioid-overdose health emergencies but assured patients that hospitals on Vancouver Island continue to be ready to serve patients.

[JimV]

Yep, they’re ready to serve patients.  Still plenty of room in the hallways.

 

When questioned about our ramshackle health system all politicians in power read from the same script:

 

1.  Yes, we have a serious problem.

2.  It’s not our fault (immigration, aging population, drug “epidemic”, covid, etc.)

3.  Look at all the good stuff we’ve already done.

4.  We need more money.

5.  We’re talking to doctors, stakeholder groups, etc.  Stay tuned.

 

None dare mention that the system is fundamentally flawed and that the only plausible solution is a parallel private system combined with the ability to buy private health insurance (i.e. the policy followed by most advanced countries in the world.)

[JohnN]

B.C. hiring more health-care staff as it wipes out surgery backlog: minister

 

Adrian Dix says 400 nurses and 100 technicians had received training under the surgical renewal program to bolster staffing. 

[Nparker]

How will this help me to see a doctor for preventative health care?

[sebberry]

How will this help me to see a doctor for preventative health care?

 

All the good medical advice can be gleaned from the internet anyway, so.... 

[JohnN]

Ucluelet Medical Clinic could close in June due to static pay, rising costs

[Nparker]

Any other health care options in Ucluelet?

[Victoria Watcher]

Any other health care options in Ucluelet?

Residents in Ucluelet could soon be faced with a 40-minute drive to see a doctor in Tofino or even farther to Port Alberni if the town’s clinic closes, which one of the three doctors says is now a real possibility after the lease ends May 31.

[spanky123]

B.C. hiring more health-care staff as it wipes out surgery backlog: minister

 

Adrian Dix says 400 nurses and 100 technicians had received training under the surgical renewal program to bolster staffing. 

 

So backlog is wiped out and you no longer have to wait for surgery?!

[Nparker]

I guess nurses and technicians can perform surgeries now.

[Victoria Watcher]

Surgeries can’t be that hard. With YouTube.

[JohnN]

Majority of non-urgent surgeries postponed during pandemic now completed: Dix

 

Island Health has had fewer COVID hospitalizations and returned to surgeries earlier than most other health authorities, resulting in the best surgical outcomes in British Columbia, according to the health minister.

[JohnN]

B.C. health agencies target workers who report under-staffing, burnout: nurses union

 

--Health care workers are not covered under B.C.’s whistleblower legislation, B.C.’s Public Interest Disclosure Act.

[JohnN]

Editorial: Family medicine reform comes in many ways

[JohnN]

Sooke’s creative approach to health care

West Coast Medical Clinic manages to survive while other clinics close doors due to doctor shortages

[JohnN]

Ucluelet’s only medical clinic could close at month’s end

"Ideas being explored include primary care networks sharing resources between clinics, municipal help in the ownership or lease for the clinic, the health authority taking over the building, alternate payment plans, and fee-for-service incentives

[Victoria Watcher]

After months in pain, these patients paid thousands for surgery outside of B.C.

Patients going abroad reflects how B.C.'s medical system is 'failing,' says surgeon

https://www.cbc.ca/n...broad-1.6445382



Joy was put on a referral list in November to see the first available surgeon, and was then told in February he would have to wait up to 18 months for surgery in B.C. to treat the osteoarthritis at the base of the toe.

___________

Unwilling to wait more than a year, Joy chose to pay nearly $12,000 US for surgery in Seattle, Wash., in April of this year.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 May 2022 - 12:28 PM.