News
Improving measles immunization rates to prevent outbreaks
With measles circulating internationally, Island Health is encouraging everyone to ensure their routine immunizations are up to date to lift collective immunization rates this National Immunization Awareness Week (April 22 to 30).
Island Health Magazine Spring 2024
This issue features a day in the life of a Hospital at Home registered nurse, the empowering effects of programs in virtual care, mental health and substance use programs, and unique approaches to patient care.
April 16 is National Advance Care Planning Day – It’s about conversations and sharing your wishes
April 16 is National Advance Care Planning Day, to raise awareness that having a plan and discussing it are so important.
Island Health grant program fuels transformative wellness initiative at Ucluelet Secondary School
Ucluelet Secondary School (USS) is championing student mental health through its new initiative, Wellness Wednesdays. Supported by a $50,000 resilience and safety grant from Island Health, the school is introducing a range of engaging activities designed to enhance students' well-being.
Reflections from the frontline on the 8th anniversary of the toxic drug crisis
In the eight years since the toxic drug crisis was declared a public health emergency in B.C. on April 14, 2016), 2,428 sons, daughters, parents, grandparents, loved ones, neighbours and friends have been lost in the Island Health region (as of January 2024).
Visiting physicians support patients and staff at West Coast General Hospital
Dr. Jocelyn Black, an emergency department (ED) physician, and Dr. Nanamma Maughn, a family physician, are friends and colleagues who live and work in Haida Gwaii. Both have supported West Coast General Hospital (WCGH) in recent months by providing locum physician services in the ED.
Grant gives Indigenous youth a fighting chance through boxing
In April 2023, Richardson’s Red Girl Rising Movement Society was one of 29 recipients of a portion of a total $1.1 million through the first Island Health Resilience and Safety grants aimed at helping improve mental well-being, build youth resistance and mitigate harms associated with the toxic drug supply.
Resilience and safety grant recipients
Vancouver Island communities are set to benefit from nearly $1 million in resilience and safety grants, aimed at empowering youth, supporting healthy workforces and promoting better health and well-being across the region.
SPARK Nanaimo: Looking at the Toxic Drug Crisis through a Different Lens
The SPARK program aims to bring together a diverse set of participants to identify health-care challenges and develop potential solutions.