Health Policy News

Health Minister Mark Holland appeals to Senate not to amend pharmacare bill
The bill is the result of weeks of political negotiations with the New Democrats, who early this year threatened to pull out of their supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberals unless they could agree on the wording.
C.D. Howe report calls for more nurse practitioners in primary care, says doctors’ groups have too much influence
The report argues that provinces have not been able to make the necessary institutional reforms to our healthcare system due to ‘fear of provoking interest groups—particularly physicians’ organizations.’

Ottawa resumes suspensions for overdue student vaccine records after two-year pause

Last year, 66% of 7- and 17-year-old students who had their records checked were overdue for vaccines to start the year.
Manitoba is getting its first extended hours primary care clinic

‘People don’t get sick exclusively during business hours.’
Quebec labour tribunal says nurses cannot pressure the province by refusing overtime

Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec had threatened that its members would stop accepting to work overtime starting Thursday, potentially throwing the health network into chaos.
Ontario considers further expanding pharmacists’ scope to include more minor ailments

Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association said the way some doctors have been reacting to expanded scope is ‘almost like hysteria.’
Eby pledges involuntary care for severe addictions in B.C., ahead of October election

Premier David Eby said involuntary help would be aimed at people struggling with overlapping addictions, mental illness and brain injury concerns who are not able to ask for help for themselves.
B.C. accepts change for psychiatric care after alleged attack by mentally ill man

A report into a triple stabbing at a festival in Vancouver’s Chinatown last year says the man accused of the crimes had been let out of a psychiatric care facility 99 times in the year prior without incident.
B.C. signs national pharmacare deal with Ottawa, promises to expand drug coverage

The coverage was to be for birth control and diabetes drugs and supplies, but B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix says oral contraceptives are already covered under a provincial program, so that share will be used to cover hormone therapy for women.
AI scribes cut time physicians spent on paperwork down by 70%-to-90%, Ontario survey finds

Primary care providers who use AI scribes also saved three to four hours a week doing administrative tasks.

Health Minister Mark Holland appeals to Senate not to amend pharmacare bill

C.D. Howe report calls for more nurse practitioners in primary care, says doctors’ groups have too much influence

Ottawa resumes suspensions for overdue student vaccine records after two-year pause

Manitoba is getting its first extended hours primary care clinic

Quebec labour tribunal says nurses cannot pressure the province by refusing overtime

Ontario considers further expanding pharmacists’ scope to include more minor ailments

Eby pledges involuntary care for severe addictions in B.C., ahead of October election

B.C. accepts change for psychiatric care after alleged attack by mentally ill man

B.C. signs national pharmacare deal with Ottawa, promises to expand drug coverage

AI scribes cut time physicians spent on paperwork down by 70%-to-90%, Ontario survey finds