41 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

I think that's the plan, to exclude anyone who isn't a Colwood resident.

 

But how would that withstand a court challenge? 

[Nparker]

If we can't even exclude people from across Canada taking up semi-permanent residence on the sidewalks of the 900 block of Pandora Avenue, I can't imagine a municipality has the authority to deny health services to those whose legal address is outside their borders.

[Mike K.]

In any case, they have several years to figure this out. It may not even come to fruition as they imagine it today, given the legalities of limiting access to healthcare.

[Barrister]

The doctors will be assigned patients from the provincial list based on their postal code until they are full. This is how it works across the province, Doctors in Sooke can patients in Sook first. if the doctor has spots left over then they will go further afield. presently there is not a single GP in Calwood so I dont expect any empty spots to exist.

[spanky123]

In any case, they have several years to figure this out. It may not even come to fruition as they imagine it today, given the legalities of limiting access to healthcare.

 

They also have to find doctors.

 

I think that the other challenge will be that a doctor cannot simply fire their patients and join a new clinic unless it is a move of a certain minimum distance. So if they hire a doctor from Saanich then they would have to keep those patients AFAIK.

Edited by spanky123, 25 September 2024 - 10:09 AM.

[Barrister]

Apparently they are looking for doctors outside BC, including Canadian doctors now practicing in the US.

[spanky123]

Apparently they are looking for doctors outside BC, including Canadian doctors now practicing in the US.

 

Ha. They realize that not only do Canadian doctors practicing in the US get paid far more, but in order to return to Canada and practice they would need to rewrite exams and be re-certified?!

[lanforod]

Ha. They realize that not only do Canadian doctors practicing in the US get paid far more, but in order to return to Canada and practice they would need to rewrite exams and be re-certified?!

 

If the latter point is true, that seems like an easy thing to get rid of. A good example of stupid red tape.

[LJ]

Colwood green-lights leasing medical clinic, hiring doctors.

 

The Royal Bay clinic, staffed with eight family doctors paid on salary by the city, could open within two years, says the mayor.

 

https://www.timescol...sicians-9567849

I don't believe the doctors are paid by the city, they are on a salary model from the provincial government. The city is paying for the space and support staff. I agree with the model, most doctors hate all the ancillary paper work involved in their practice.

[Victoria Watcher]

I don't believe the doctors are paid by the city, they are on a salary model from the provincial government. The city is paying for the space and support staff. I agree with the model, most doctors hate all the ancillary paper work involved in their practice.

 

This seems accurate, now re-reading the article.

[Bambam]

But it wasn’t until 2017 when he had heart failure followed by a diagnosis of diabetes — “both preventable if I had a family doctor” — that he was finally attached to a family physician.

“That’s the only reason I have a family doctor today,” he said. “I have seen the suffering, the pain. I’ve seen the waiting.”





Not so sure about that first paragraph. Lifestyle and diet might have prevented that, not so sure a doctor was required.

 

Re: diabetes and other health challenges one way to get a very good idea of potential health concerns, especially in the absence of a GP, is to ensure you get an annual eye exam whether you wear glasses/contacts or not.

 

I made an appointment last week with Mayfair Specsavers (where I got my last corrective eyewear/lens' in 2024), which also has on-site optometry staff.

 

I noticed my left eye had a floater which needed attention ASAP. Turns out the issue was not a detached retina or leakage of the viscous fluid in the eye, the most common causes of "floaters", but more likely just aging. However in addition the optometrist reminded me eye exams can provide early detection of everything from diabtes to high blood pressure to thyroid issues to various forms of cancer.

 

In my case fortunately the images of my left eye showed in addition to the prominent floater, a small piece of plaque embedded in one of the capilleries near the retina; eyes don't create plaque - it gets there by breaking off from somewhere else in your system, i.e. very likely the cardiovascular system.

 

He immediately fired off an email to an opthamologist-specialist colleague who the optometrist figued "will call you in 2-4 weeks". They called less that an hour later and I have an appointment first thing Monday morning in their office. The most serious scenario is that they initiate a full work up on my cardio system and if significant arterial blockage(s) are detected they "clean out the system" by removing all the plaque and installing a heart stent. That would be life changing from a lifestyle and dietary standpoint - but would also potentially save a life.

 

Lesson here is even if you don't have GP get an eye exam which can potentially save your life.

[lanforod]

You’re getting old? 🙂

Good reminder, it’s been a bit for me, time to make an appointment.

[LJ]

I have an exam with my ophthalmologist every year, he is also an on-call emergency eye surgeon, which can sometimes interrupt the exam.

[Tony]

Heart specialists can not "clean out the artery system" they can evaluate the degree of arterial blockage in the various heart arteries as a means of assessing what the next steps may be............as serious as heart surgery to replace nearly clogged arteries. or more simply  put you on a drug, diet, exercise and weight loss program.

 

When there is a complete blockage or nearly full blockage of a heart artery (heart attack) they use coronary angioplasty  to open clogged arteries and insert one or more stents to maintain the arteries open.

We are fortunate in Victoria to have a cardiac unit at Jubilee Hospital open 24 - 7 to do these procedures. When I had my STEMI heart attack ( the most serious type) from the time 911 was called to being taken up to the cardiac intensive care unit after the procedure was less than 90 minutes.

 

If you have a good dental cleaning done they will also check all the interior of your mouth for any signs of cancer.

Edited by Tony, 07 July 2025 - 07:56 PM.

[Bambam]

Heart specialists can not "clean out the artery system" they can evaluate the degree of arterial blockage in the various heart arteries as a means of assessing what the next steps may be............as serious as heart surgery to replace nearly clogged arteries. or more simply  put you on a drug, diet, exercise and weight loss program.

 

When there is a complete blockage or nearly full blockage of a heart artery (heart attack) they use coronary angioplasty  to open clogged arteries and insert one or more stents to maintain the arteries open.

We are fortunate in Victoria to have a cardiac unit at Jubilee Hospital open 24 - 7 to do these procedures. When I had my STEMI heart attack ( the most serious type) from the time 911 was called to being taken up to the cardiac intensive care unit after the procedure was less than 90 minutes.

 

If you have a good dental cleaning done they will also check all the interior of your mouth for any signs of cancer.

 

Yes I know the general drill my mother was an OR surgical nurse at RJH for 38 years who participated in countless open heart procedures over the course her career, two members of my extended family and one very close friend all have had stents implanted. All three had the catheter inserted into their radial (wrist) artery which has become more commonplace in recent years. RJH has always had some of the very best cardiac doctors in Canada at least during my lifetime, including one of the very best, one Dr Beliveau who was my specialist thirty years ago. And 'yes' my dentist does a thorough oral exam at least twice annually......

[Bambam]

Following up on the above I had a scan of my carotid arteries last month which came back as < 50 blockage which is apparently considered acceptable or a "pass" - you're either < than 50 or > than 50%, which is something of cold comfort: theoretically you could get a "pass" but still be at 49% blocked....

 

Long story short I am now on several different meds for reducing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and also a diuretic. All good. I did draw the line however at Ozempic - nuh uh, not going to do that. I'll get to the pool and do more cardio in the gym, and be more diligent about diet rather than take that one, thank you very much. The shopping list of side effects and potential side effects is as long as your arm. Nope.

 

On a side note however this experience is a reminder of why I'm glad for our system of medical coverage. The out of pocket cost for the five meds was somewhat eye watering - depending on the details of an individual prescription Ozempic alone could potentially be in the range of $1500 annually if not covereded by a plan. However my medical plan - and I work for the insurer, a happy coincidence - covered the cost for all of the meds save the $18 and change I paid out of pocket. Since I'm not proceeding with Ozempic I don't know how much of that would have been covered under my plan, and I don't intend to find out.

[Mike K.]

You’d likely stand to benefit from it.

Why are you against it? Is there a risk your doctor identified?

[Tony]

After a major heart event the motivation to act and change behaviours is often at the highest level it will ever be. Before turning to more drugs the items that you can control are a great first step.

 

The education programs and supervised exercise program for post cardiac event patients in Victoria is excellent..   Information  is provided on  Diet... what and how much you eat, Exercise....a variey from walking to gym work outs and weight training at home. Life style choices including stopping smoking and reducing amounts of alcohol.

 

If these measures do not work for the individual then weighing the benefits and risks of adding more lifetime drugs is an option that they may consider.

[Bambam]

After a major heart event the motivation to act and change behaviours is often at the highest level it will ever be. Before turning to more drugs the items that you can control are a great first step.

 

The education programs and supervised exercise program for post cardiac event patients in Victoria is excellent..   Information  is provided on  Diet... what and how much you eat, Exercise....a variey from walking to gym work outs and weight training at home. Life style choices including stopping smoking and reducing amounts of alcohol.

 

If these measures do not work for the individual then weighing the benefits and risks of adding more lifetime drugs is an option that they may consider.

 

Precisely, you get it: the "drug" option is - or should - always be the last alternative for any condition unless naturally there is simply no other option.

 

Re dropping lbs there are plenty of non-drug options such as focusing on diet, increased cardio and other lifestyle adjustments, all of which are infinitely more appealing than pumping yet another drug into your system, one that has shown in clinical trials to be potentially problematic especially for older patients, everything from possible vision to gall bladder problems, gastro-intestinal and thyroid issues, including cancer in the case of the thyroid.

[Mike K.]

So, less eating?