What’s the story?
A traveller’s tales
Page 4
Page 8
Your Weekly Clover Valley Newspaper January 31, 2013 ❖ www.CloverdaleReporter.com ❖ 604-575-2405
More nurse practitioners for Fraser Health Follows expansion of powers granted by province Jeff Nagel chronic care model that better fits the An extra 45 nurse practitioners are to needs of B.C.’s aging population. “Nurse practitioners are a valuable part be hired across B.C. this year, including of our health-care team,” Health Minister 10 in Fraser Health and nine in the VanMargaret MacDiarmid said. couver Coastal health region. B.C. Nurse Practitioner Association The province last spring announced it would spend more than $22 million over president Rosemary Graham said graduthree years to add 190 new nurse practi- ating nurse practitioners have been frustrated by the lack of opportunity, but tioner positions. added she’s hopeful the proThey’ll work in primary fession will gradually prove care settings, such as medical their value and build a case clinics, mental health clinics, for more funding. residential care homes and She said more reforms First Nations services. are needed to recognize The new positions funded and improve understanding this year will target highin the medical community priority groups, such as the of how doctors, nurses and frail elderly, mentally ill, subnurse practitioners can work stance abusers and patients together in collaborative without family doctors. teams. B.C. already has more than “Historically, nurse practi250 registered nurse practitioners have been positioned tioners but many have been Margaret MacDiarmid as gap fillers,” Graham said. unable to find work in the “This generation going forprovince and dozens more graduate from training each year, often ward wants to do more – not just fill gaps, not replace physicians, but to find their leaving for other jurisdictions. The province in October became the own unique place in health care.” Funding for new nurse practitioners second in Canada to let nurse practitioners admit and discharge patients from in Fraser Health is allocated for Burnaby hospitals, while working with doctors (focus: refugees and new immigrants), the Tri-Cities (frail elderly with chronic and other health-care providers. That followed legislation in 2011 al- conditions), Eagle Ridge hospital (frail lowing nurse practitioners to make diag- elderly), Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows noses, prescribe drugs, order diagnostic (homeless, chronic mentally ill), Surreytests and treat most common conditions. North Delta (two positions: marginalDoctors have resisted additional pow- ized substance users, urban aboriginals), ers for nurse practitioners, fearing they Hope (frail elderly in care homes and may end up doing nearly all the work of First Nations), Langley (frail elderly physicians for much lower pay of around in hospital and post-discharge), White Rock/South Surrey (homebound or hos$100,000 a year. But the positions are seen as important pitalized frail elderly) and Chilliwack in shifting the health care system from (homebound frail elderly). – Black Press an acute care model to a preventive and
The UPS Store
Clover Square Village | 604.575.5095
Power position
MacMILLAN TUCKER MACKAY
&
#102 - 17750 Hwy 10, Cloverdale email: store382@theupsstore.ca
EE! R F S H T N O 3 M t a MAILBOX for 1 yr
n orate When you re ness & Corp si u B l, a n o Pers
Courier ServiCeS UPS, DHL, TNT, CANPER, GREYHOUND
• Copy Centre • Fax Services • Digital Printing • Packing Supplies & Services • Custom made Stamps (same day service)
“WE DISTRIBUTE FLYERS”
“Your Cloverdale Law Firm” Our goal is to provide you with top quality service in a comfortable, friendly environment.
&
ICBC CLAIMS GENERAL PRACTICE • Free Consultation and Percentage Fees for ICBC Claims • Corporate and Commercial
JENNIFER LANG PHOTO
A BC Hydro worker points a thumb down, signaling to the crane operator (not pictured) positioning a high voltage wire into place. A crew replaced a power pole at the 175 Street right-of-way and 56A Avenue Monday without service interruption.
• Civil Litigation • Family and Divorces • Real Estate • Wills and Estates
5690 - 176A Street, Surrey www.mactuc.com 604-574-7431
South Fraser’s ONLY
CAT HOSPITAL
BOARDING AVAILABLE
New Patients Welcome Dr. Susan Thompson B.Sc., DVM, Dip. Surg.
Dr. Laura Kiehlbauch B.Sc., DVM
Members of the American Association of Feline Practitioners
Feline Hospital & Housecall Practice
604-574-8873
Unit #3 – 17967 56th Ave. Cloverdale
www.catsathome.org
Email: catsathomehospital@shawbiz.ca