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The Screen Problem you knew about but didn’t KNOW About …
Excessive screen time has been linked to progressive and irreversible eye disorders such as dry eye disease and myopia, according to experts. Research suggests that staring at screens for extended periods can change the structure of the eyeball, leading to atrophy of the glands that keep it moist. One study of Canadians showed that, on average, people spend 3.2 hours per day looking at screens. However, occupational and recreational screen time averages among participants were much higher, with many reporting six to seven hours per day. By 2050, more than half of the world’s population is expected to be myopic.
Good News is it only takes 10 minutes to get through this Newsletter and stay informed with health care!
In this week’s email
Ontario News:
Another Emergency Department Closure | Minden, ON TOP STORY
Ontario Rally: Health Care Workers vs. Bill 60
Ontario helping more students become doctors?
Canada 🇨🇦 as a whole:
Canada: First Covid Now Tuberculosis?
BC: Telus Health Fee-for-Care dispute settled
Ontario News
Another Emergency Department Closure | Minden,ON
The Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) announced last week that the ER site would be closed as of June 1 and all services would be relocated to the hospital in Haliburton, 30km away. The HHHS board cited staffing challenges as the reason for the closure. The move has prompted community outcry, and concerns have been raised about the impact on patients who require emergency care.
Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) has stated that the closure of the Minden ER is a "preview" of additional permanent ER closures in the province. The ONA has also called for hospital CEOs to support a better contract for those on the front lines.
Community Response
The Minden community and surrounding areas have trended with a negative response - not agreeing with the closure. Since the announcement the community has banded together to try and save their ER.
10,000 + Petition Signtaures have been obtained
4000+ member Facebook group
800 signs have been placed in and around the surrounding area
and much more has been done to protest the closure.
Resources to Support Minden:
Ontario Rally: Health Care Workers vs. Bill 60
Health care workers gathered outside a hospital in Barrie, Ontario to protest Bill 60, which would allow private clinics to conduct OHIP-covered surgeries and diagnostic services. They believe that this would worsen the healthcare crisis by drawing more funding and staff away from public hospitals. They are also concerned that private clinics may upcharge patients and provide inadequate care. The government, however, says that the bill will strengthen oversight of community surgical settings while expanding capacity in the province. The protesters plan to continue rallying and collaborating with the Ontario Health Coalition for a citizen-run referendum.
Ontario Helping More Student’s Become Doctor’s?
The Ontario government is expanding the number of undergraduate and postgraduate medical school positions to address the shortage of doctors and meet the growing health care needs of Durham Region's population. Queen's University will be allocated 14 new undergraduate seats and 22 new postgraduate medical training positions. This is part of the government's plan to create 100 undergraduate medical school seats and 154 postgraduate medical training positions provincewide. The expansion is intended to help more Ontario students become doctors in their home province and enhance access to care for communities throughout the province.
Canada 🇨🇦 as a whole
Canada: First Covid Now Tuberculosis?
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected Canada's attempts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in the country, with crucial services such as contact tracing, prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and care for TB having been reduced as resources were diverted to fight COVID-19. Several areas across Canada have seen recent increases in TB cases, particularly in Inuit and First Nations communities, losing ground after years of progress. Manitoba and Nunavut, which have the highest TB rates in Canada, have seen an increase in cases. TB has long had a disproportionate impact on Indigenous people and immigrants and refugees to Canada.
BC: Telus Health Fee-for-Care dispute settled
The Medical Services Commission (MSC) in British Columbia is no longer seeking a court injunction against Telus Health's LifePlus program, which charged patients between CAD3,000 and CAD5,000 ($2,411 and $4,019) a year for access to care. The program was accused of violating the Medicare Protection Act by charging patients for services that should be publicly covered, but Telus Health denied the accusations, saying the program was designed to relieve pressure on the public system and that fees were for uninsured dietitians, kinesiologists and other health and wellness needs.
Under a new agreement, the MSC has withdrawn its petition against LifePlus, and Telus Health has modified the program to ensure a clearer delineation between insured and uninsured care delivery while maintaining continuity of care for its clients.
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