The public consultation phase of the provincial governments -Conversation on Health" begins in Kamloops on February 2 and wraps up in Vancouver July 7.  As health care professionals, HSA members have a great deal of expertise to contribute to this discussion about the future of public health care.  As individuals, we have many questions and concerns about where Premier Campbell intends to take our health care system, and what it will mean for our communities, our families and ourselves.

Due to increased demand for steward training, HSA is offering the following course:

Steward Training Level 1 (3-day workshop):

• April 30, May 1 & May 2, 2007

Please apply ASAP as workshops have been filling up quickly.

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Application Form.

In 2005, David Bland, a vocational rehabilitation counsellor and HSA member from Richmond Mental Health, was murdered at his workplace by a former client.  His tragic death served as a sombre reminder that more needs to be done to prevent violence incidents in the workplace and protect health care workers on the job. 

The BC Health Coalition (BCHC) is inviting people who have been selected to participate in a forum in your community to please contact the Coalition directly. The Coalition is organizing a province-wide network of forum participants and welcome the opportunity to provide resources, and collect feedback from those who will attending the government's events.

HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. We will be awarding ten scholarships for full-time studies, ten bursaries for full-time studies and two aboriginal scholarships.

The criteria and details are set out on the application forms. To obtain a copy please see the HSA website: www.hsabc.org or contact your chief steward.

The provincial government has announced the dates for the regional forums on health care. In Victoria, the forum will be held March 10 at the Hotel Grand Pacific.

Deadline for registration for the forum in Victoria is January 26.

Health care professionals have been barred from participating in the public forums, but are encouraged to participate in 'professional forums.'  In Chilliwack, the 'professional' forum is scheduled for March 9.

The provincial government has announced the dates for the regional forums on health care. In Chilliwack, the forum will be held March 3 at the Rhombus Hotel.

Deadline for registration for the forum in Chilliwack is January 19.

Health care professionals have been barred from participating in the public forums, but are encouraged to participate in 'professional forums.'  In Chilliwack, the 'professional' forum is scheduled for March 2.

CBC Radio airs a three-part series on occupational health and safety issues in health care starting tonight.

The series includes a close look at occupational injury among ultrasound technologists, and features interviews with HSA members and staff,  as well as expert Judy Village, who is one of only six certified professional egonomists in British Columbia.

Ottawa  ... A new survey from Scotiabank has found that almost a quarter of Canadians (23%) have taken money out of their RRSP and one in five does not plan to reinvest that amount, despite financial penalties.

The study, designed to understand Canadians' attitudes and behaviour toward RRSP savings, found that the primary purposes for withdrawal were to buy a first home, cover day-to-day living expenses and pay down debt. More than 1,000 investors over 18 participated in the on-line survey in October.

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