Health

Are you concerned about the future of health care on Vancouver Island?

Do you or someone you know have suggestions about how to improve our health care system?

Island Health (formerly the Vancouver Island Health Authority—VIHA) has launched a public consultation process to help shape its new strategic plan, Island Health 2018—and they are asking for your feedback.

The new strategic plan will lay out how Island Health will:

• Improve health for Islanders through community partnerships and health promotion
• Create a culture of excellence, quality and safety for clients, patients and health care workers
• Engage communities, clients and our workforce more effectively
• Sustain our health and care system through sound fiscal management

Island Health will be holding a public consultation session in Victoria this month. Here are the details:

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Location: Sandman Inn, 2852 Douglas Street, Victoria, B.C.

Victoria BC – As ADHD Awareness Week continues, Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver is calling for more comprehensive ADHD screening, support and early treatment for children and adults to help address a disorder that is having a significant impact on patient’s health and costing our economy billions.

According to the Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC), ADHD has significant economic consequences, not just for individuals but for Canada. “Canada loses an estimated $6 billion to $11 billion annually through loss of workplace productivity.”

Meanwhile, a British Columbia Medical Association report cites a study that estimates “the average incremental annual cost to educate a child with ADHD from kindergarten to grade 12 is more than 18 times that of non-ADHD children.”

In 2010 CADDAC produced an ADHD Report Card that rated each province according to how ADHD is handled in the school system. British Columbia was one of only 2 provinces to receive an “unsatisfactory/fail” grade.

Comprehensive, early screening can be an effective tool for supporting individuals and their families as they work with the symptoms associated with ADHD.

October 14th to 20th is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Week in Canada. The week aims to help raise awareness of the impact ADHD has on individuals and their communities. For more information on events supporting ADHD Awareness Week, please visit BCADHD.com:

Resources:

Newswire: Economic impact of ADHD in Canada 

BC Medical Association 2009 ADHD Report 

Provincial comparison of youth ADHD diagnosis and treatment 

Andrew joined over 80 community leaders, volunteers and generous donors at Our Place September 7 for a car wash fundraiser.  This event raised over $2,000.00 to support the important work done by Our Place Society.  Tours of the facility were given while local, provincial and federal politicians joined members of the Victoria Police, Firefighters, local media and community groups to wash cars for this great cause.

Our Place is a community service provider in Victoria, where transitional housing, nutritious meals and many supportive programs are offered in a safe and dignified environment for vulnerable citizens in our region. Our thanks and appreciation to City of Victoria Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe for organizing this event.