Be Aware Health Care | June 27th, 2023

Unraveling the Science of Sleep: Insights on Optimal Sleep Duration and Napping

Recent studies have shed light on the complex relationship between sleep and brain health, offering reassurance and new perspectives. Contrary to expectations, research suggests that getting less than the recommended seven or eight hours of sleep may not be as detrimental to brain health for some individuals. Moreover, a study found a modest link between regular napping and larger brain volume, potentially compensating for poor sleep. However, sleep science remains a nascent field, and experts emphasize the importance of individual variations in sleep needs.

Here are 4 tips to improve your quality of sleep:

1. Establish a consistent sleep routine.

2. Create a sleep-friendly environment (darkness, noise, comfort).

3. Adopt relaxation techniques before bed (meditation, deep breathing, avoid stimulating activities).

4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle (regular exercise, balanced diet, manage stress).

   

In this week’s email:

Ontario News

• Minden Community Gets Urgent Care Centre

• Campaign Launched by Ontario Doctors to Improve Health Care Equity

• Ontario Expands French-Language Nursing Programs

• Surgeon's Battle for Payments Leaves Patients in Pain and Limbo

Canadian News 🇨🇦

• Cross-Country Cyclist Raises Funds for Health Care, Stops in Saskatchewan

• Advancing Health Equity: Experts Call for Race-Based Data Collection via Health Cards

• Canada's ERs on the Brink: Crisis Looms Amidst Overwhelming Pressures

Ontario News

Minden Community Gets Urgent Care Centre

Not too long ago the Minden community lost their emergency department. A new urgent care clinic is set to open in Minden Hills, Ontario, thanks to funding provided by the Ontario government. The Kawartha North Family Health Team (KNFHT) will operate the clinic at the former Minden Emergency Department site, providing routine and urgent care services to the community. The Ministry of Health will not only provide ongoing operating funding but also one-time investments for equipment purchases.

The clinic will initially operate on weekends starting June 30th and plans to expand to seven days a week based on community needs. Staffed by KNFHT Nurse Practitioners and Registered Practical Nurses, the clinic will serve patients with non-life-threatening health concerns through walk-ins and appointments.

The collaboration between KNFHT, Haliburton Highlands Health Services, and the Ministry of Health aims to improve access to convenient care for residents in Minden. The urgent care clinic will be located at the former emergency department site, eliminating the need for major renovations. The community is actively engaged in determining how the clinic can best meet their needs.

Campaign Launched by Ontario Doctors to Improve Health Care Equity

Ontario doctors are launching a campaign to improve health care equity in response to the lack of family doctors and the negative impact of social determinants of health. The Ontario Medical Foundation, supported by a $150,000 donation, will study initiatives at local levels and seek partnerships to address factors like accessibility, food insecurity, and homelessness. The campaign aims to accommodate the diverse needs of the population and improve health care in underserved areas, including Indigenous communities. Innovations such as mobile clinics and community engagement programs will be explored. The goal is to inspire innovation and improve health care access and outcomes in Ontario.

Ontario Expands French-Language Nursing Programs

The Ontario government is expanding access to French-language nursing education in the province. Collège Boréal is launching a new four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at its Sudbury and Toronto campuses. The program aims to provide French-speaking students with more opportunities to learn in their primary language and ensure that Francophone communities have access to the care they need.

The expansion of nursing education is part of the government's plan to address the need for more nurses in Ontario and reduce barriers to French-language education. In addition to the new degree program, the government is supporting an additional 70 practical nursing spaces at Collège Boréal. This initiative is part of a broader investment in nursing education, with $80 million allocated to increase enrolment in nursing programs across the province.

Surgeon's Battle for Payments Leaves Patients in Pain and Limbo

Patients in Ontario, Canada, are experiencing prolonged pain and uncertainty as a highly specialized orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Lewis, faces a battle over delayed payments and mounting pressure to prioritize common procedures. With limited resources and funding, hospitals and surgeons are forced to make difficult decisions about patient prioritization. Lewis's decision to step back from complex surgeries has left patients, including those with severe scoliosis, waiting indefinitely. The conflict highlights the challenges within Canada's healthcare system and the need for systemic improvements to ensure timely care and fair compensation for surgeons.

Canadian News 🇨🇦

Cross-Country Cyclist Raises Funds for Health Care, Stops in Saskatchewan

Jurjen Weerman, a cyclist on the Great Cross-Canada Tour made a stop in Estevan, Saskatchewan. He aims to cover 8,700 kilometers from B.C. to Newfoundland by August 31, raising funds for the Children's Hospital and Wingham District Hospital. Weerman has already surpassed $7,000 of his $10,000 goal. During his visit, he praised Estevan as a nice city with affordable living. Follow his progress on his Strava page.

Advancing Health Equity: Experts Call for Race-Based Data Collection via Health Cards

Body: A group of experts is urging all Canadian jurisdictions to routinely collect data on racial and Indigenous identity during the health card application or renewal process to address health care inequities. Dr. Andrew Pinto, the lead author of a commentary published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, emphasizes that Black and Indigenous patients face barriers to care and poorer outcomes. Collecting voluntary identity data could help track racism in the health-care system and inform tailored programs and services. Nova Scotia and Manitoba have already started collecting race-based data, aiming for a standardized and consistent approach that respects patient privacy and avoids reinforcing discrimination. Advocates argue that not collecting this data outweighs the potential harms of doing so.

Canada's ERs on the Brink: Crisis Looms Amidst Overwhelming Pressures

Canada's emergency rooms (ERs) are facing an escalating crisis, marked by staffing shortages, burnout, longer wait times, closures, and inadequate funding. The strain on the system, which is worse than during the COVID-19 pandemic, threatens to overwhelm healthcare providers and compromise patient care. Tragic cases of patients dying after extended waits in crowded hospitals highlight the urgency for reform. Medical organizations and physicians are calling on provincial governments to prioritize healthcare system reforms. Immediate action is needed to protect healthcare providers and ensure timely access to care for all Canadians.