The flu season winding down in Durham Region
March 15th, 2013 | Comments (0)
There were almost 200 confirmed cases of the influenza virus in Durham Region this season, which, according to the Health Department is the highest they have seen for a non-pandemic year. Senior Public Health Inspector Anne Grant says they still offer the flu shot for anyone who may still feel they need it. Grant says everyone should still take caution to make sure they don’t get sick, by always washing your hands, and staying home if you feel under the weather.
New website helps you eat healthy on a budget
March 13th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Eating healthy can be done on a budget, and the Durham health department wants to help you prepare healthy meals at home. Public Health Nutritionist Deborah Lay says they’ve set up an online tool to show people how to prepare healthy meals and save money while doing so. She says an average family of four spends around $750 a month on food. Click here for more information on the ‘Discover your inner Chef’ online learning tool.
Durham Cardiac Care is receiving international attention
March 13th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Lakeridge Health and Rouge Valley’s ability to provide quality cardiac care across Durham region is receiving international recognition. Rouge Valley Medial Director Dr. Joe ricci says they have been asked to discuss their rehabilitation and prevention program at the International Academy for Management and Business Conference in Portugal. Ricci says the program available through Lakeridge Health makes it easier for anyone who has had cardiovascular issues to access help close to home.
Thousands of staff and students in the durham district school board are getting an education in the use of defibrillators
March 12th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Over 100 sites in the Durham District School Board are now equipped with defibrillators. Manager of health and safety Gary Gibson says this initiative is very exciting and heavily contributes to wellbeing of the community. Gibson says in addition to having trained more than 1300 staff members; the board is also introducing a program that will train roughly 3000 grade 9 students every year to use the device.
Lakeridge Health works to improve CIHI ranking
March 12th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Lakeridge Health continues to implement new programs to reach their goal of becoming the safest hospital. However, the results of the latest Canadian Institute for Health Information report says it’s the worst in the province when it comes to urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers, in-hospital fractures and pneumonia. President and CEO Kevin Empey says they have a number of new programs to combat these problems, including purchasing new beds that are closer to the ground. The report says for every 1000 surgical patients at Lakeridge, 53 ended up with complications compared to the national average of 36. Empey expects the progress they’ve made to be reflected in next year’s CIHI report.
Ontario Health Minister moves to ban anyone under 18 from using tanning beds
March 7th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Ontario’s Health Minister says the Federal Government should move to ban people under 18 from using tanning beds. But since that hasn’t happened yet, Deb Matthews says the province will move ahead with its own legislation in order to protect minors from skin cancer. The minority government will need support from at least one of the opposition parties to pass the bill, and it will likely come from the NDP. A group that represents tanning salons says they already have age-based restrictions and they are disappointed the government is bringing in legislation.
Reducing the spread of HIV and hepatitis between drug users in Durham Region
March 7th, 2013 | Comments (0)
A conference on reducing the spread of HIV and hepatitis between drug users began Thursday in Oshawa. The Durham Harm Reduction Coalition wants to educate health care professionals, police and social workers on the issue. Coordinator Beth Whalen says aspects of the program such as needle exchange programs have a negative stigma but are critical. The conference will runs Thursday and Friday at the Jubilee Pavilion on Lakeview Park Avenue.
Toronto Police seize synthetic marijuana
March 5th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The Toronto Police Service is alerting the public to synthetic marijuana products being sold in variety stores across the city. Health Canada recently released warnings that these products can produce symptoms from seizures to hallucination and even acute psychosis. They further state that synthetic cannabinoids are illegal and subject to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The Toronto Drug Squad began an investigation into the selling and distribution of synthesized marijuana in February. On Monday they seized 55 packets but did not charge the store owners. The investigation is continuing.
New report urges the provincinal government to ban the marketing of junk food to kids under the age of 12
March 4th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The fight against childhood obesity continues across Ontario and a new report is calling for more action from the government. Among the numerous recommendations, the report wants the government to ban the marketing of junk food to kids under the age of 12 and have restaurants including fast-food and grocery stores, list the calories of each item on their menu. The government says it will create a group headed by Health Minister Deb Matthews to give direction on how to implement the recommendations. In 2004, 27.5 per cent of Ontario kids between the ages of 2 and 17 were overweight or obese.
Durham Health Department encouraging colon cancer screenings for awareness month
March 3rd, 2013 | Comments (0)
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and the Durham Regional Health Department is encouraging people 50 years or older to get tested. According to a new study, 66 per cent of Durham Region residents 50 years or older have not been screened for colon cancer. Screening helps detect cancer early, making it easier to treat. Public Health Nurse Patricia Beasley says there are two types of tests, a fecal occult blood test kit for low risk patients and a colonoscopy for those at high risk. Many people with colorectal cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, and Beasley says awareness is vital. Click here for more information.
Colon Cancer photo station stops in Oshawa, this weekend
March 2nd, 2013 | Comments (0)
A colon-cancer-check photo station is making several stops in Oshawa this weekend as part of Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Residents are invited to have their photo taken and make a pledge to be screened. The station is at the Oshawa Centre on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and at the Oshawa General’s game on Sunday. Regional Vice President for Cancer Care Ontario Tom McHugh says most people don’t realize they need to be screened, and the best way to fight it is early detection. Officials say Ontario has the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world.
Lakeridge Health celebrates a decade of midwifery
March 2nd, 2013 | Comments (0)
Midwives are celebrating a milestone of delivering babies at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. For the last decade, women in Durham have had the option to give birth with the help of a midwife, and director of women’s and children’s healthcare Tasha Osborne says they’re a valuable part of the labour and delivery team, and provide a specialized approach to care. More and more clients want the midwife experience, and currently they oversee about 10 per cent of deliveries at the hospital. Osborne says where they were 10 years ago is very different from where they are today, and she’s proud the hospital is moving forward with the growth and support of midwifery.