Be Aware Health Care | March 20, 2024

Good morning everyone. While I can’t even release this newsletter on time for Tuesday morning, there are med students out here finding the time to pamper some elderly care residents.

Meet McMaster University's GlamourGals – led by Harleen Chahal, they're bringing monthly makeovers and manicures to Chartwell Terrace on the Square Retirement Residence in Waterloo, Ont.

These med students might not be licensed pros, but who needs a license when you've got heart? From nail filing to makeup magic, they're spreading joy and connection to residents like Elizabeth Payne.

Pharmacists on the Hotseat but Shoppers Drug Mart in the Spotlight

It's a tale of corporate targets and professional integrity: Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists find themselves in a tough spot as emails reveal pressure to hit service targets, despite corporate denials. Performance metrics and incentives for services like medication reviews are raising eyebrows, with pharmacists fearing their judgment may be compromised, putting patient care at risk.

Ontario's College of Pharmacists is on the case, investigating the issue, while Premier Doug Ford isn't mincing words – he's warning of accountability if the pressure persists.

But as the spotlight intensifies, Shoppers Drug Mart remains tight-lipped, leaving many questions unanswered. Stay tuned for updates as the investigation unfolds!

Healthcare Headache: Ontario Investigates Ottawa Clinic

The Ministry of Health is turning up the heat on an Appletree clinic in Ottawa after a routine cancer screening test landed a patient with a hefty $110 bill. Meet Eileen Murphy – she turned to the clinic out of necessity, grappling with the all-too-common struggle of finding a family doctor in Ontario.

Despite holding an OHIP card and being over 50, Eileen found herself on the hook for $97 plus taxes for the appointment – a surprise she didn't see coming.

Now, as the ministry pledges to dive into the clinic's practices, questions swirl about the legality of fees for primary care. It's a stark reminder of the hurdles faced by Ontarians without a family doctor and the pressing need for accessible public healthcare.

When it comes to healthcare, financial surprises like this are the last thing anyone needs.

Lawsuits Greenlit Against Long Term Care Homes

It's a legal showdown brewing in Ontario's long-term care (LTC) sector as class action lawsuits against 6 major providers like Sienna, Revera, and Chartwell get the green light to move forward.

Plaintiffs are alleging gross negligence during the COVID-19 crisis, which they claim led to illness and tragedy among residents and visitors alike. Expert opinions are pointing fingers at inadequate infection control measures.While legislation might offer some COVID-19 liability protection, there's no shield against accusations of "gross negligence."

Some defendants are staying quiet for now, while others are gearing up for a fierce fight to clear their names.

But that's not all – the legal storm's not just hitting LTC homes. Class actions against Ontario's LTC minister are also moving forward, with plaintiffs alleging delayed responses to the pandemic's looming risks.

In today’s long term care world, looks like accountability is the name of the game.

Hospital’s Locum Program Lifeline in Limbo

It's crunch time for Ontario hospitals as the clock ticks down on the Temporary Locum Program, a vital lifeline that's kept rural and northern ERs afloat by enticing urban doctors to fill shifts.

Originally rolled out as a pandemic response, this program's faced many renewals – and now, with the end of the month looming, hospitals are left hanging, waiting on government word about its future.

For hospitals leaning heavily on locum physicians, the program's expiration could spell trouble. Calls for a permanent fix are ringing loud and clear, but so far, the government's staying silent.

Sure, there are backup programs in play, but they're seen as Band-Aid solutions at best.

Stay tuned as hospitals across Ontario brace for impact because I think this decision is going to come last second - for better or worse.

The Alberta Healthcare Revamp Reality Check

The planned $8.4-million facelift for the Airdrie Urgent Care Centre paused when local physician Dr. Julian Kyne tossed a third-party proposal into the ring suggesting a potential private-public partnership or P3 for short. But fear not – the renovation is back on track. However, Alberta still interested in this P3 model.

This move speaks volumes about Alberta's appetite for innovative healthcare solutions. But P3s aren't new to Canada and there's chatter about their cost-effectiveness and transparency. Taking cues from places like the U.K. and Ontario, where P3s have been less than accepted by the population, Alberta's got its work cut out. With healthcare costs in the spotlight, it's high time for a transparent, evidence-backed game plan that puts patient care front and center.

Nova Scotia's Battle for Primary Care

Let me introduce you to someone… Meet Paul Morris, just one face in a sea of over 153,000 Nova Scotians desperate for a primary care provider. With the family doctor registry bursting at the seams, Health Minister Michelle Thompson's pointing fingers at population growth and practice closures.

But don't fret – there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The Clare Health Centre's set for a 2024 glow-up, promising primo primary care access in Concession. And that's not all – Nova Scotia's rolling up its sleeves, ramping up the healthcare workforce through education, juicy incentives, and a support hotline, all in a bid to plug the doctor drain.

Dr. Leisha Hawker's got one message for the masses: sign up, sign up, sign up! Because when it comes to system planning, every headcount counts.

As for Morris, he's snagging same-day appointments at the Clare Health Centre and seeing potential in this healthcare oasis. Could this be the model Nova Scotia's been waiting for?

Boosting the Nursing Crew

MP Yasir Naqvi's making moves with over $388,000 in fresh funds for the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing's (CASN) National Nurse Residency Program. This cash infusion's all about giving Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) a leg up in Canada's healthcare hustle.

So, what's in the pipeline? A pilot IEN mentorship programs, workshops, and training galore to get IENs and their mentors ready for the Canadian nursing workforce.

But wait, there's more – this funding's just the cherry on top of the $2.4 million already pumped into the National Nurse Residency Program, aimed at getting freshly minted registered nurses (RNs) up to speed.

Additionally, the Government of Canada's dropped the Nursing Retention Toolkit, a game-changer aimed at keeping nurses in the game from coast to coast.

It's all about teamwork, folks – with provinces, territories, and nursing partners joining forces to tackle challenges and keep the nursing dream alive across Canada.