The Health Sciences Association is adding the unions voice to concerns raised by a group of concerned advocates for community living services and supports.

In a unanimous vote last night, Vancouver City Council passed a motion calling for the restoration of the outpatient Domestic Violence Program at Vancouver General Hospital.

VGH closed the clinic in a surprise move this summer, with no consultation with emergency room staff or with the community.

HSA Region 4 Director Brendan Shields spoke in support of the motion on behalf of the union.

HSA has completed negotiations with Lower Mainland health authorities for a transition to a region-wide consolidation of diagnostic imaging services. The agreement allows for the significant restructuring of services without displacements and layoffs of diagnostic imaging staff.

Highlights of the Section 54 agreement include:

- Provisions for seamless employment transfer

- Expanded opportunities in job postings and bumping rights

- Increased opportunities for clinical specialization, and

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in BC is looking for individuals to serve on the Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) Advisory Committee.

The purpose of the CAPC Advisory Committee is to make recommendations on CAPC-specific funding and policy, including program implementation and evaluation, to PHAC. By participating as an Advisory Committee member, an individual has the opportunity to provide input that will shape the delivery of the program in BC.

PHAC is currently seeking representation from the following:

Health science professionals who work with children have been receiving employer notifications regarding the requirement for criminal records checks.

As a result of amendments to the Criminal Records Review Act which came into effect in January 2008, all employees who work with or have unsupervised access to children (under age 19) must undergo a criminal records check every five years ... not just upon hire.  The deadline for compliance is December 31, 2010.

New evidence of Canada Health Act violations, BC Court of Appeal ruling affirming government authority to audit for-profit clinics, and resolution at next weeks UBCM Convention all signal need for immediate government response.

New research conducted by the BC Health Coalition has revealed evidence that for-profit clinics across the province continue to openly charge patients additional fees to jump the queue for health services already covered by Medicare.

The Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) is urging the Harper government to stop stalling and start working with provincial and territorial governments to bring in a universal public Pharmacare program.

The coalition has sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper appealing for action following the release of a report laying out a formula for Pharmacare that would not only offer coverage to all Canadians but could save up to $10.7 billion annually in the process.

BC Health Coalition ACTION ALERT:

Next month municipal governments from around the province will gather to address common issues and advance shared concerns at the Union of BC Municipalities AGM.

For immediate release

Reid Johnson, president of Health Sciences Association, today urged the Vancouver Island Health Authority not to waste time conducting experiments in ideology when they could be taking action to reduce MRI wait times immediately.

For immediate release

Despite strong community opposition and media attention, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority continues to dismantle the outpatient Domestic Violence Program at Vancouver General Hospital. The 18-year-old program is slated to close at the end of this week.

HSA President Reid Johnson said the sudden closure of this program puts vulnerable women at risk.