23 minute read
Funding for Port Alberni hospital
Port Alberni hospital gets $6.25-million for ER
Expansion will add 2,626 square feet for patients, after facility’s use has grown to 25,000 emergency visits a year
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By Melissa Renwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Port Alberni, BC - The West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni is set to undergo a $6.25-million emergency department redevelopment in March. The 2,626 square-foot expansion will include the addition of three new patient exam beds, extra space for those awaiting test results, a private room for people in need of emergency mental health care, improvements to the triage and admitting areas, along with two separate entrances for ambulances and the public. Not only will the increase of clinical space reduce wait times, it will also off er more privacy and security for patients. “Currently, patients who are agitated or violent and need emergency mental heath care are located in an assessment room near the waiting area,” said Island Health. “A seclusion room will provide security and privacy for those patients and for people in the waiting area.” When the hospital was built in 2001, the emergency department was designed to meet the needs of the region’s population at that time, which was around 12,000 patients annually, said Chris Francey, business director of the West Coast General Hospital Foundation. Now, it receives over twice as many patient visitations. Mid-Island Pacifi c Rim MLA Josie Osborne said that over 25,000 patients visited the emergency department in 2019-20. Along with Port Alberni, the emergency department serves the surrounding communities, such as Tofi no, Ucluelet and Bamfi eld. “Expanding and improving the emer-
Photo by Eric Plummer
Since it was built in 2001, visits to the West Coast General Hospital have more than doubled. gency department at West Coast General oquot Regional Hospital District, which “West Coast General Hospital is an Hospital is critical not just for Port Al- is contributing $1.7-million. important part of the community and berni, but all of the West Coast communi- “Upgrades are needed so the hospital region,” said Osborne. “It’s great to see ties,” said Francey, in a release. can continue this high level of care for action being taken to upgrade the emerProject costs are being shared be- people for decades to come,” said Health gency department, which will improve tween the province, which is providing Minister Adrian Dix. patient privacy and make it easier for $2.55-million, the West Coast General According to Island Health, the rede- larger family groups to accompany their Hospital Foundation, which is putting velopment will not require an increase in loved ones.” forward $2-million and the Alberni-Clay- staff to meet patient care needs.
Transforming diet, activity level and losing weight in the process
Continued from page 1. Sam transformed what he eats, cutting out fatty and high-sugar food, instead relying on vegetables, a variety of local berries and mixed nuts to quell his appetite. “I stay away from pastries and all kinds of junk food,” he said. “I don’t really have it here in my place or I’d eat it.” He consumes some meat, but minimizes carbohydrate intake to better control his blood sugar level. “For my dinner I just peel one potato. Sometimes I don’t even fi nish that if it’s a big potato,” said Sam. “When I buy bread, a loaf of bread, I put it in the freezer and pull off a couple of pieces for my toast in the morning. It stays in the freezer so I don’t keep on eating it.” In Sam’s freezer small Tupperware containers are neatly stacked, each containing a carefully measured portion of a meal for future consumption. This discipline in controlling intake is maintained while eating out as well, said Dickens. “When he goes to a restaurant he asks for a take-out container instantly, so he can put half of his portion away before he starts eating,” she said. The other component to Sam’s transition is a steady reliance on moderate exercise. He began last year by walking his 230-pound frame around his apartment. Now at 185 pounds, he travels much further, often using an electric bicycle to take local trips. One of his favourite destinations is Paper Mill Dam park on the Somass River. “If I can’t make it back home I use the motor on the bike,” said Sam. “I can ride a lot farther than I used to.”
~ Paul Sam
A pair of light kettlebell weights lie at the ready on his fl oor, and Sam increased his initial output of four leg squats to 30. He’s seen others push themselves too hard to lose weight, then quit out of hunger. Sam points to the importance of keeping a balanced lifestyle, rather than working excessively hard towards his goals. “I think he’s being very modest, he has worked very hard,” commented Dickens. “It’s right in that it’s not that hard to do. He still enjoys certain things and he’s not going to the gym for a crazy amount of hours or anything like that. He has been dedicated.” Over the last eight months Sam’s daily supplemental insulin intake has declined from 65 units to 25. And his dedication to improved health has led to another mark of victory: weening himself off of pain medication. “It’s next to nothing; I quit taking painkillers,” he said. “I let my body fi ght that pain. The painkillers are no good for me anyway. They’re no good for my liver, it gets me constipated. [Painkillers] just disconnects something in your brain - that pain is still there; your brain is just fooling you.”
FNHA reports that 40 percent of the coronavirus infections among Indigenous people occurred on reserve
By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter
British Columbia – By mid January the First Nations Health Authority reported that 4,000 units of Moderna, the COVID-19 vaccine, were delivered to B.C. Indigenous communities between Dec. 29, 2020 and Jan. 13. They say that more than 19 Indigenous communities have received the vaccine with another 41 communities to receive vaccine very soon. “We are coming up on a year since the fi rst cases of COVID-19 were reported in BC,” said Dr. Shannon McDonald, acting FNHA chief medical offi cer. As of Jan. 13, 2021, there have been more than 2,500 Status Indians in British Columbia that tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 12 months. Near the beginning of the pandemic, about 25 percent of the Indigenous cases were residing on reserve. That ratio has now increased to about 40 percent according to Dr. McDonald. Sadly, the 32nd Indigenous death due to COVID-19 was just recorded. “Those are people, they are not just numbers,” said Dr. McDonald. The FNHA has adopted a whole-community approach to vaccinating people in Indigenous settlements. They are usually remote, with access to secondary-level health care. Housing shortages experienced at most reserves mean that people are usually living in crowded conditions with several generations living in one home. For these reasons the FNHA is offering the vaccine to everyone on reserve over the age of 18. Since New Year’s Day there have been cluster break outs of coronavirus on reserve in places like Snuneymuxw and Cowichan Tribes. Municipal leaders in the Cowichan Valley publicly condemned racist incidents that arose following news of the outbreaks. Most notably, a dentist canceled a Co-
Photo supplied by Courtenay Louie Ahousaht residents were among the fi rst in B.C. to receive immunization for COVID-19. Indigenous people living off reserve have not been prioritized for vaccination, although elders are expected to receive shots as early as February. wichan Tribes patient appointment without asking her any screening questions, but simply because she was from the First Nation. Message boards on social media were fi lled with racist commentary. Stating that they were deeply saddened by what Cowichan Tribes members were going through in their community, the First Nations Health Authority said they are committed to supporting them in their approach to managing the COVID-19 cases. “We would also like to raise our hands in gratitude to the many community and health care leaders in the Cowichan Valley who stood up and called out this unacceptable intolerance. We must continue to stand together in our refusal to allow racism in all its forms,” FNHA wrote in an open letter dated Jan. 13, 2021. The doctors at FNHA agreed that racist backlash suff ered by the people of Cowichan Tribes is not new. “It’s always been there, just under the surface,” said Senior Medical Offi cer Dr. Nel Wieman. “It’s likely that COVID is a stressor that brings it out.” Cowichan Tribes members are receiving vaccine during the second week of January. Dr. McDonald reminds people that it takes about 10 days after immunization to develop immunity. She stated that it is not known if people that are vaccinated can carry the virus to the unvaccinated. For that reason, it is important to continue to follow guidelines set out by the provincial health offi cer, she said. McDonald went on to say that the First Nations Health Authority does not have service responsibility for Indigenous people living off reserve or away from home. But they collaborate with local health authorities, like Vancouver Island Health Authority, to plan for the safe and culturally-sensitive distribution of the vaccine in urban areas. Island Health reports that it has limited supplies of vaccine, but expects to receive more doses in increasing quantities over time. The vaccine will be free for everyone in B.C. but it will be rolled out according to priority groups. Between December 2020 and February 2021, the following groups will be offered vaccine: Residents, staff and essential visitors to long-term care and assisted-living residences. Individuals in hospital or community awaiting a long-term care placement Health care workers providing care for COVID-19 patients Remote and isolated First Nations communities From February to March, the immunization program will be expanded to include: Community-based seniors, age 80 and up; Indigenous elders age 65 and up People experiencing homelessness and/ or using shelters Provincial correctional facilities Adults in group homes or mental health residential care Long-term home support recipients and staff Hospital staff , community GPs and medical specialists It is expected that all British Columbians will be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021. The provincial health offi cer’s orders and guidelines remain in place for everyone, regardless if they have received the vaccine. “We all need to continue to protect each other by avoiding social interactions outside our immediate household, washing our hands often, staying home when we’re sick, staying physically distant from people we don’t know and wearing a mask in public indoor spaces,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry .
Health professionals warn people to remain vigilant
By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter
British Columbia – Indigenous communities in the province are among the fi rst to receive the vaccine for COVID-19 nearly a year after the fi rst cases were recorded in the province. People are lining up in droves with grateful smiles as they roll up their sleeves to receive the vaccine that, in time, promises a return to ‘normal’ life. But health offi cials are warning people that they must continue to avoid gatherings. “Having the vaccine is a big tool in our toolkit,” said Dr. Shannon McDonald, acting chief medical offi cer for the First Nations Health Authority. “We have to continue to do the things that we’ve been encouraged to do to stay safe. To avoid gatherings, to hang out in your family bubble, to wash your hands, to wear a mask when you’re in public. All of those things are absolutely necessary now and for the next while.” As of Jan. 12, just over 4,100 vaccines have been administered in First Nations communities around the province. It is estimated that more than 60 Indigenous communities will have received the vaccine by the end of January. To date, there have been more than 2,000 positive cases of COVID-19 among First Nations people in B.C. with 600 cases being active. Until 75 percent of the general population has been vaccinated, there is still a risk to communities, according to the FNHA. Health authorities do not know whether those that have been vaccinated can carry the virus to those that have not received the vaccine. It takes two doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to reach full immunization. The second shot is administered three or more weeks after the fi rst one. “Even immediately after you get the vaccine it’ll take seven to 10 days before your body has developed enough immunity to protect you against COVID. So especially during that period it’s very important to continue with all the public health measures that we know,” Dr. McDonald stated. New strains of COVID-19 have reached Canada, but Dr. McDonald assures people that the existing vaccines are effective against these diff erent varieties of the virus. To date the following Nuu-chahnulth First Nation communities have received the fi rst dose of Moderna: Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/ Che:k’tles7et’h’ , Huu-ay-aht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht. Ditidaht and Toquaht will be hosting vaccination clinics this week for their community members.
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Although we would like to be able to cover all stories and events, we will only do so subject to: - Suffi cient advance notice addressed specifi cally to Ha-Shilth-Sa. - Reporter availability at the time of the event. - Editorial space available in the paper. - Editorial deadlines being adhered to by contributors. Ha-Shilth-Sa will include letters received from its readers. Letters MUST be signed by the writer and have the writer’s full name, address and phone number on them. Names can be withheld by request. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. We reserve the right to edit submitted material for clarity, brevity, grammar and good taste. We will defi nitely not publish letters dealing with tribal or personal disputes or issues that are critical of Nuu-chah-nulth individuals or groups. All opinions expressed in letters to the editor are purely those of the writer and will not necessarily coincide with the views or policies of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council or its member First Nations. Ha-Shilth-Sa includes paid advertising, but this does not imply Ha-Shilth-Sa or Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council recommends or endorses the content of the ads. Delays in COVID-19 vaccine supply
Elderly and health workers prioritized, non-vulnerable groups to be eligible in July
By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter
British Columbia – The fi rst month of vaccination programs are well underway in British Columbia with the province’s most vulnerable people receiving initial doses of Moderna or Pfi zer vaccines, beginning in December 2020. But a shortage in the supply of vaccines to Canada is causing concern. Canada receives its supply of Pfi zer vaccine from Belgium. According to the Pfi zer website, the company is working on ways to ramp up production to meet world-wide demand. They are making modifi cations at their facilities to deliver 2 billion doses by the end of 2021. “There will be a temporary impact on some shipments until mid-February in order to quickly enable increased production volumes afterwards,” stated Pfi zer, adding that delays will be resolved by the end of March. In British Columbia, 144, 550 doses of vaccine have been received. As of Jan. 26, 122, 350 doses have been administered with 118,254 people receiving fi rst dose and 4,104 receiving second dose. Because of the shortage, the provincial government has delayed administration of the second dose to 42 days, which is the maximum number of time allotted by the World Health Organization. This will allow more people to receive fi rst doses as the second wave of COVID-19 spreads across Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a televised statement the federal government is working to secure six million doses of vaccine from both Pfi zer and Moderna by the end of March. The First Nations Health Authority states that the worldwide shortage of Pfi zer vaccine may aff ect the start date of some vaccination clinics in B.C.’s First Nations communities. “Health offi cials in B.C. are expecting a shortfall of approximately 60,000 doses of Pfi zer’s COVID-19 vaccine over the coming weeks,” stated FNHA. “The FNHA is continuing to work with our provincial and federal partners to prioritize available doses for First Nations communities, however there will likely be a delay.” The number of COVID-19 cases in B.C. remains consistent with 407 new case on Jan. 26. On Vancouver Island there were 22 new cases reported on that day, with 210 active cases. Health offi cials are warning people to follow current orders even if they have received one or both doses of vaccine. Provincial health restrictions are in place until Feb. 5, and may be extended. Everyone is reminded to avoid gatherings and that socialization must be limited to immediate household bubbles. People are reminded to practice physical distancing, washing your hands regularly and wearing a mask. “We will not be able to stop these measures until most people have been vaccinated,” states the Province of B.C. website. The province has set up a four-phase vaccination program for its residents. Phase 1 runs from December 2020 to February 2021. The following groups are eligible for vaccine: -Residents and staff of long-term care facilities -Individuals assessed for and awaiting long-term care -Residents and staff of assisted living residences -Essential visitors to long-term care facilities and assisted living residences -Hospital health care workers who may provide care for COVID-19 patients in settings like Intensive Care Units, emergency departments, paramedics, medical units and surgical units -Remote and isolated Indigenous communities For Phase 2, from February to March 2021, the following groups will be eligible for vaccine: -Seniors aged 80 and over who are not immunized in Phase 1 -Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) seniors age 65 and over, additional Indigenous communities not immunized in Phase 1 -Hospital staff , community general practitioners (GPs) and medical specialists not immunized in Phase 1 -Vulnerable populations living and working in select congregated settings -Staff in community home support and nursing services for seniors In Phase 3, from April to June 2021, the following groups will be eligible for vaccine: -People aged 60 to 79 -People aged 16 to 69 with underlying health conditions who are extremely vulnerable, for example: organ transplant recipients, people with specifi c cancers, people who are taking immunosuppression drugs, people with severe respiratory conditions including cystic fi brosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Phase 4, runs from July to September 2021, and will cover the remainder of the population. Those between the ages of 55-59 will go fi rst followed by the next fi ve-year increment group going backwards to the fi nal age group of 18 – 24-year-olds in September 2021. The Pfi zer and Moderna mRNA vaccines require two doses to be fully effective. The second dose is administered between 21 and 42 days after the fi rst. The vaccines are about 70 per cent eff ective 14 days after the fi rst dose and 95 per cent eff ective after the second dose. As with any vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccines may not fully protect all those who receive them. Questions remain about how long immunity lasts and whether a vaccinated person can still transmit the disease. Research into these and other questions continues. According to FNHA, Canada has agreements with several companies to receive enough doses in 2021 for the entire population.
Justin Trudeau
Ha-Shilth-Sa belongs to every Nuu-chah-nulth person including those who have passed on, and those who are not yet born. A community newspaper cannot exist without community involvement. If you have any great pictures you’ve taken, stories or poems you’ve written, or artwork you have done, please let us know so we can include it in your newspaper. E-mail holly.stocking@nuuchahnulth.org. This year is Ha-Shilth-Sa’s 47th year of serving the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. We look forward to your continued input and support. Kleco! Kleco!
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Changes to Mental Health Act are needed to be er serve the province’s vulnerable youth, says Charlesworth
By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor
Victoria, BC - The province is imposing an overbearingly institutional system on B.C.’s young people who struggle with mental health issues, thereby failing those who need the support the most, according to a recent report from the Representative for Children and Youth. On Tuesday Jennifer Charlesworth released a critical study of how the B.C. Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is serving vulnerable young people in the province, noting that forced detentions into treatment facilities has gone up 162 per cent over a decade. That statistic covers the period from 2008-2018, showing a rising number of involuntary detentions undertaken according to provisions of the Mental Health Act. According to the provincial legislation, a young person can be kept against their will if they present a safety risk to themselves or others - or if this is deemed necessary to prevent “mental or physical deterioration”. The act allows treatment to be imposed on those who are detained, as well as discipline, restraint and isolation, states the representative’s report. But much more can be done to ensure young people’s rights are upheld, argues Charlesworth, who challenges the value of how youth are treated while detained. “I am concerned that a standout memory for many young people is being isolated and restrained,” she said in a press release. “The absence of legislation and regulation to guide the use of this extraordinary power is also troubling. The fact that these measures are coercive and may be experienced as traumatizing underlines the need for rigorous oversight and accountability.” Charlesworth’s report drew from interviews with youth, more than half of whom disagreed with their treatment for mental health issues. “I’d wake up…and either be calm and go back to sleep or freak out and get sedated again,” said Sean, whose comments are included in the document. “It was like that for about three months. It’s just a big blur.” “They said I could call a lawyer. I don’t have one and I hate court. I just waited it out,” noted Charlie, another young man who was interviewed. “I was an eagle trapped in a cage. I can’t fl y or enjoy things. They took that away from me.” Charlesworth noted a serious lack of community supports that are available for young people upon discharge, and recom-
Photo submitted by B.C. Representative for Children and Youth A recent report by Jennifer Charlesworth, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth, highlights a dramatic increase in forced detentions done under the province’s Mental Health Act, as well as imposing medication on vulnerable young people.
mends better oversight of detentions, with the involvement of independent bodies that advocate for patients. Little data is available on the involuntary placements in facilities, but the Ministry of Health believes that Indigenous youth are disproportionally represented. Charlesworth stressed that a young person should be able to notify their First Nation if detained, and points to the absence of cultural relevant treatment for Aboriginal kids. “The bottom line is that the Mental Health Act was not designed with the needs of children and youth in mind and is not meeting the needs of young people in this province,” she said. “Generally, they were looking for therapeutic support but found that, instead of that, what they received was forced medication.” Back in the summer an amendment to the Mental Health Act was tabled in Victoria, which some feared would put Aboriginal youth at an even greater risk by expanding the use of detention. “It wasn’t addressing the issue that youth fi nd themselves in,” said Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. “Just throwing them in to be assessed for seven days doesn’t address the problem.” The Union of BC Indian Chiefs opposed Bill 22, warning that it would lead to more fatal drug overdoses. “Our families and communities require culturally safe, wraparound services – not additional legal mechanisms to detain our youth and ignore our rights,” stated Kukpi7 Judy Wilson of the UBCIC in July. With the NDP still without a majority of seat in the legislature, Bill 22 did not pass last summer. But the need remains to change the provincial law to better serve vulnerable people, added Sayers. “If they’re going to be amending the Mental Health Act, we can’t just put them in an institution because we know it doesn’t work,” she said. “They really do need to amend the Mental Health Act so this doesn’t happen, but at the same time we need to have something alternatively for them to utilize.” Charlesworth’s report largely drew on information from before COVID-19 transformed the delivery of health services in the province. Since the pandemic began in March, youth have faced a growing list of challenges in maintaining mental health. Initiatives like the Warriors Program, which fosters a sense of brotherhood while building leadership qualities through land-based learning, have been aff ected by the inability to gather. Since March the six Nuu-chahnulth nations that run the program have been unable to hold weekly meetings or camping excursions. Teechuktl Mental Health has had to adapt to the elevated risk by closely monitoring social media posts to catch warning signs of self harm. In response to Charlesworth’s report, Sheila Malcolmson, B.C.’s minister of Mental Health and Addictions, committed to listening to young people and their families. “Our main focus continues to be on boosting the voluntary system of care so young people can get help early on, before smaller problems become larger ones,” she said in a statement. Meanwhile, Malcolmson pointed to how mental health services have improved since her ministry was formed nearly four years ago. “We’ve been making progress for young people in B.C. since 2017 by expanding voluntary services that support them,” she said. “New Foundry centres, child and youth teams in school districts, doubling the number of youth substance use treatment beds and expanding specialized services are just some of the examples.”
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