March 31 National Day of Action for a New Health Accord

BC HEALTH COALITION The current Health Accord expires March 31st, 2014 and the federal government is refusing to renegotiate it. Expiration of the accord will result in a $36 billion dollar cut to public health care, and an additional $16.5 billion dollar cut to health care equalization payments. On March 31, people across the country will be holding rallies to sound the alarm and let their MP's know that it is time to step forward and ensure that our health care system has a future. Here in BC, 8 communities are holding rallies - see list below.

Derrick Hoyt re-elected as Region 2 representative on HSA Board of Directors

Derrick Hoyt has been re-elected as the Regional Director to represent members from Region 2 on the HSA Board of Directors. Hoyt is pathologist’s assistant at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria.   He has served in many roles as an active union member for the past 25 years, including as a Member at Large and Steward. He was first elected to the Board of Directors in a November 2013 byelection. Hoyt’s election is for a two-year term, which expires at the end of the 2016 HSA Convention.

HSA to hold mental health forum March 31

Health Sciences Association of BC, a union representing mental health professionals working in hospitals and communities across the province, will hold a public forum on mental health services March 31 in Vancouver.

Government proposing new Laboratory Services Act (Bill 7)

Bill 7, the Laboratory Services Act was introduced in the BC Legislature by the Liberal government on February 17, 2014, and is currently at the stage of first reading. The proposed legislation makes significant changes in several areas, including the legislative framework, governance and funding models for medical laboratory services. A general overview of these changes is available here on the HSA website.