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

When will the pandemic end? Tam is optimistic

Canada is expecting a potentially massive surge in cases in the coming weeks, driven by the new Omicron variant already spreading through communities, said Dr. Theresa Tam. While COVID-19 might be with us for many years to come, Tam is optimistic the pandemic could end in the foreseeable future.

When will the pandemic end? Tam is optimistic

Feds failed victims of military misconduct: Anand

Streamed online from National Defence Headquarters, the apology followed the federal government’s $600-million settlement with tens of thousands of current and former Armed Forces members who experienced such behaviour while serving.

Feds failed victims of military misconduct: Anand

Heavy snow expected for parts of southern B.C.

The agency says a low-pressure system is moving into the southern part of the province starting Monday night and is expected to stay on until Tuesday, bringing up to 20 centimetres of snow in some areas.

Heavy snow expected for parts of southern B.C.

Gas rationing after flood lifting in B.C.

The British Columbia government is lifting a restriction on gasoline for the general public that was put in place after flooding and landslides cut off supply. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the 30-litre limit per visit to the pumps proved effective and will lift on Tuesday.

Gas rationing after flood lifting in B.C.

B.C. increases event recovery fund to $30 million

Melanie Mark, the minister of tourism, arts and culture, says COVID-19 and recent natural disasters have had devastating impacts on events and tourism, and expanding the program to nearly $30 million is a way to help communities safely resume activities.

B.C. increases event recovery fund to $30 million

Two in five Canadians know unvaxed people: poll

The survey conducted by Leger and commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies suggests four in ten Canadians have a friend or family member who is not vaccinated. Seventy per cent of these don’t discuss the matter with them, with half of those saying they have given up trying to persuade them to get protective shots.