ONTARIO SEX ED CURRICULUM POSTPONED
April 22nd, 2010 | Comments (0)
A controversial new sex ed curriculum will be postponed and reworked. Premier Dalton McGuinty says it’s obvious from listening to parents over the past two days that the curriculum needs a “serious rethink.”The changes have outraged some religious and conservative groups who say they’re not comfortable with teaching kids as early as Grade 3 about same-sex families.
HEALTH CANADA WARNING REGARDING BABY WIPE SOLUTION
April 22nd, 2010 | Comments (0)
Health Canada is warning people not to use a brand of imported baby wipe solution because it’s been found to be contaminated with bacteria. The product is called Foaming Baby Wipes Solution and it is made by Northern Essences of Georgia. The solution is contaminated with Micrococcus bacteria, which can cause urinary tract or skin infections or even more serious problems in people with weakened immune systems. Health Canada says it hasn’t been informed of any problems related to the product being used in Canada to date. But it says retailers should pull it from their shelves and people who have bought the solution should throw out what they have left. Health Canada doesn’t know how many units of the product have been sold in Canada, but it is working with the Canada Border Services Agency to stop further imports. For complete information click here.
HEALTH CANADA WARNS DISHWASHERS COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR KIDS
April 22nd, 2010 | Comments (0)
Health Canada is warning that your dishwasher could pose a risk to small children. There have been 2 reports of injuries, and in both cases the young child had their feet and ankles cut by the sharp metal at the bottom of the dishwasher’s door. The manufacturers have been notified and Health Canada is asking parents to keep their children away from the appliance.
BILL TO ALLOW EUTHANASIA IN CANADA FALLS
April 22nd, 2010 | Comments (0)
The Commons has rejected a private members bill calling for euthanasia and assisted suicide to be legalized. The bill fell by an overwhelming margin, 228 to 59. A fear of the bill was that some severly disabled or dying Canadians might be euthanized without their consent.
TORONTO POLICE HOSTING CHILD CAR SEAT CLINIC
April 21st, 2010 | Comments (2)
On Thursday, between 8:30 am and noon, the Toronto Area Child Seat Safety Coalition will be conducting a child-seat inspection clinic at 2525 St.Clair Avenue West, in the Wal-Mart parking lot. A new public-awareness campaign on child-seat safety will be launched by members of the coalition, which includes the Ministry of Transportation, the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Public Health and York Region Health. Appointments are necessary for the clinic. Vehicles arriving after noon will be turned away. It’s estimated that 80 to 90 percent of all child-seat installations are not done according to vehicle and manufacturer recommendations. The proper installation may reduce the risk of injury or death to a child in the event of a collision.
JOB CUTS COMING AT DURHAM CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY
April 20th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Some bad news for workers at the Durham Children’s Aid Society. Officials announced on Tuesday, the elimination of 31 full time positions, representing 8 percent of the organization’s total staff compliment. They say the cuts, which include both management and bargaining unit positions, are the result of a $3.8-million deficit, due to cut-backs in government funding. Stats show, that during the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Durham CAS cared for more than 1,200 children. Officials say further staffing or program cutbacks are not being looked at, at this time.
LAKERIDGE HEALTH HIRES NEW CRITICAL CARE DOCTOR
April 20th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Lakeridge Health has brought on a new critical care leader. Doctor Randy Wax has joined hospital staff as Medical Director Education and Patient Simulation and Physician Leader in Critical Care and Resuscitation. Wax has developed simulation based education programs, which are used for teaching and evaluation at Mount Sinai Hospital and is an award winning expert in patient safety.
NATIONAL ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION WEEK
April 19th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Ontario’s organ donation agency says a record number of lives were saved through donations in 2009, but more donors are urgently needed. The Trillium Gift of Life Network says nearly 700 lives were saved last year – a 17 per cent increase, thanks to a record number of donors. Director of Hospital Programs Scott Skinner says many people are unaware, of how they can help. He says it’s more than just signing the organ donation card that comes with your license. People can register as donors, with the Trillium Gift of Life Network, by going to their website… www.giftoflife.on.ca . Officials say the number of deaths among people on the waiting list decreased by nearly 24 per cent in 2009, and the agency says there were 218 deceased organ donors during the year and 1,299 tissue donors. Only 17 per cent of Ontario residents over the age of 16 with health cards have registered their consent to donate. Right now in Ontario, there are roughly 1,600 people, waiting for organ transplants.
LAKERIDGE HEALTH BOWMANVILLE EXPANDS RESPIRATORY THERAPY
April 18th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Lakeridge Health in Bowmanville is helping people breathe a little easier. It has expanded respiratory therapy coverage to be available onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Before, it was limited to just 12 hours a day and on-call for after-hours support. Lakeridge Health President and CEO Kevin Empey says the latest addition was necessary, as part of the new Critical Care Unit. Respiratory therapists work alongside physicians, specialists and nurses—-especially in areas like the emergency department and critical care.
IGNATIEFF PROPOSES TO FORGIVE LOANS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS
April 16th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Michael Ignatieff is saying he’ll forgive medical students part of their student debt. The Opposition Party Leader promised to excuse $20,000.00 on Federal loans over 4 years. Ignatieff says he hopes the initiative would help to attract and retain more health care professionals, including doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners, and boost health care in rural areas.
SPRING OFF THE COUCH WEEK
April 16th, 2010 | Comments (0)
The Durham Region Health Department wants to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity by inviting area residents to participate in “Spring Off the Couch, Turn Off the Screen” week, which will run from April 19th until April 25th. The aim of the week is for residents to turn off their televisions and computers and enjoy physical activity. According to a report from Active Healthy Kids Canada, 87% of children in the country are not getting the recommended 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity every day. Public Health Nurse Beth Cullen-Keidann says that time spent in front of screens has become increasingly persistent in the lives of youth and children, and suggests going for a walk, riding bicycles, enjoying local parks, and choosing outdoor sports that involve the whole family. For more information click here.
REPORT CALLS FOR A CHANGE TO THE WAY DOCS ARE PAID
April 16th, 2010 | Comments (0)
There’s a controversy over the way Ontario pays it’s doctors. A new report by 3 health care providers says if Ontario paid it’s doctors the same as other provinces it would save $2.2 billion, but the Ontario Medical Association says that’s misleading. The Ministry of Health says it currently has no plan to change the way doctors are paid.