Reducing the need for higher intensity and for more costly services

Vancouver (4 Nov. 2008) - The latest report by B.C. Auditor General John Doyle provides a list of recommendations to improve planning for home and community care programs.

"Ministry of Health Services is not adequately fulfilling its stewardship role in helping to ensure that the home and community care system has the capacity to meet the needs of the population," the report says.

Two FREE Public Events Next Week:

On Wednesday Nov. 5th:

Who's Minding the Store?
The privatization of long-term care and what it means for care quality

7:00PM
Unitarian Church - 949 W. 49th Avenue, Vancouver

With speakers:

Charlene Harrington, professor and researcher
Dr. Margaret McGregor, family physician and health services researcher
Lyne England, advocacy activist from Victoria

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights received a big boost to its fundraising campaign this week with a $170,000 donation on behalf of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and four of its Component unions.

The donation was announced at the 60th convention of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU/NUPGE) which was held October 24-25 in Winnipeg.

Generalvoting will be held on Wednesday, October 29 in 2 by-elections in theprovincial constituencies of Vancouver-Fairview and Vancouver-Burrard.  Polls are open that day from 8:00 am to 8:00pm.  HSA members who live in theseconstituencies are urged to vote in these critical by-elections. 

Section 74of the BC Election Act states thatemployees are entitled to 4 consecutive hours on October 29 for the purpose ofvoting.  Elections BC has provided thefollowing interpretation of this requirement:

Municipal elections will be held across the province on November 15.

The BC Health Coalition is calling on all municipal candidates to declare themselves public health care defenders!

Oct. 22 marks the seventh annual day of appreciation for child care workers and early childhood educators

Ottawa (17 Oct. 2008) ... The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is joining with Canadians across the country in acknowledging the contributions made by child care workers and early childhood educators in the development of children, families and communities.

BC Health Coalition

Who's Minding the Store?
The privatization of long-term care and
what it means for care quality

Wednesday Nov. 5th - 7-9 pm
Unitarian Church - 949 W. 49th Avenue,
Vancouver

With speakers:

On October 14, 2008 Canadians will head to the polls to elect a new federal government.  The Members of Parliament we elect can have a huge impact on the health care and community social services that HSA members provide.  HSA urges members to examine the positions of the parties on these issues, and to vote for candidates who will support public health care and community social services.

General voting day:

Tuesday, October 14

Voting times:

BC Health Coalition calls on British Columbians to reject BCAA queue jumping insurance and demand government action to enforce health care legislation.

The BC Health Coalition is deeply disturbed by BCAAs recent announcement to begin offering insurance that will allow its members to jump the health care queue and obtain services at for-profit clinics.