National

Health complaints top B.C. advocate's list

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Oct, 2022 01:35 PM

VICTORIA - Complaints about British Columbia's health-care system to the provincial ombudsperson have reached a 10-year high.

Jay Chalke's annual report for 2021-2022 says the office received almost 1,300 complaints or inquiries focused on programs and services provided by the Ministry of Health.

The figure is more than 15 per cent of all 8,215 complaints lodged with the office in that period.

Chalke says in a news release that health care was top of mind for those who reached out to his office, with complaints ranging from visitor restrictions for long-term care to surgery delays, and COVID-19 measures to quality of care.

It says the Ministry of Health, the Insurance Corporation of B.C. and the Ministry of Children and Family Development were the top three most complained about public bodies.

Among the problems Chalke's office says it solved was that of a lottery winner whose $150,000 cheque was withheld because the B.C. Lottery Corp. tried to insist on signed waivers from friends who were with the woman when she bought the ticket.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Dutch officer testifies at B.C. extortion trial

Erik Verstraten told the B.C. Supreme Court trial for Aydin Coban that he found 10,000 euros in cash and a passport belonging to the man during the search of the home near the Dutch city of Tilburg, in January 2014.

Dutch officer testifies at B.C. extortion trial

Four ride-hail operators deemed 'unlicensed, unsafe, and unwelcome' and fined nearly $1800

As well, each of the operators received a Notice and Order requiring an immediate inspection of their vehicle. Officers removed (towed) one of the vehicles from the scene.

Four ride-hail operators deemed 'unlicensed, unsafe, and unwelcome' and fined nearly $1800

Training for Canadian students on use of naloxone

The Public Health Agency of Canada reported more than 5,386 deaths related to opioids between January and September 2021. The majority of the deaths — 94 per cent — were accidental.

Training for Canadian students on use of naloxone

Federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates to end: sources

The new rules are expected to come into effect on June 20, though the requirements for foreign nationals coming to Canada will not change, say two government sources close to the decision, who were granted anonymity to speak about matters they were not authorized to discuss publicly.

Federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates to end: sources

Hill false bomb tippers should be prosecuted: WSO

Police have not answered questions about the two men's account of events and released few details about the “potential threat” that prompted an evacuation of Parliament and closure of surrounding streets for several hours on Saturday.

Hill false bomb tippers should be prosecuted: WSO

New drug price rules may mean big savings: PBO

The changes are expected to come into effect on July 1, after being pushed back four times during the pandemic. The PBO says in a newly released report that if the changes had been in place in 2018, Canada would have spent 19 per cent less, representing about $2.8 billion.