The Report

The series of atmospheric rivers that hit southwestern British Columbia in late November caused flooding and mudslides that affected the lives of many HSA members, with those living in Merritt and Princeton among the worst hit. HSA’s Board of Directors created a flood relief fund to assist members with immediate expenses caused by evacuations. We spoke to a few members...

By Lisa Daechsel, HSA member “I don’t want to be strapped to the bed” “I’m scared of loud noises” “I hate needles” “There is no way my child can lay still for that long” These are just some of the things that I hear from children and families regarding MRI imaging. For many children and families, the MRI experience can...

By Karl Riley Here at HSA, we know how committed our members are to their communities. Whether it’s in acute care, community health, or social services, our members are on the front lines every day making life better for people and ensuring they have access to the services they count on. So it’s not surprising that two of our very...

Every year, the HSA Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committee awards the David Bland Award to an HSA member who has demonstrated leadership to improve occupational health and safety at their worksite and beyond. The award was established in 2007 and honours the memory of David Bland, a vocational counsellor and HSA member from Richmond Mental Health who was killed...

A message from the President It’s hard to believe that 2020 is soon coming to close. It’s no secret that it’s been a challenging year. I am so proud of our members’ commitment to delivering quality public healthcare and social services in the midst of a pandemic that has taken a heavy physical and emotional toll on the communities we...

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer makes the case for paid sick leave In October 2020, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam released an in-depth report analyzing the state of public health in Canada, sharing important information about the impacts of COVID-19 on people across the country. The report, entitled, “From risk to resilience: An equity approach to COVID-19,”...

If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or are struggling with another mental health issue, you are not alone. The good news is there are resources available to HSA members who are looking for mental health support. The following is a list of resources that are available to you. Virtual mental health services through your benefits plan If you receive benefits...

By Tristyn Kellner HSA Member When thinking about Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) Committee duties, the average person most likely thinks about managing physical injuries and biological hazards. Chemical safety sheets might come to mind. If you are especially creative, you may think about ergonomics and safety inspections, or mental health in the...

By Samantha Ponting HSA Communications In 2006, the First Nations Leadership Council and the Province of Brit ish Columbia entered into a bilateral agreement called the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan. The accord outlined 29 action items designed to address some of the health inequities between Indigenous peoples and other British Columbians. Action item 19 mandated the development...

By HSA President Val Avery Voting in our Provincial Election will take place this Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. This is one year before our next fixed-date election, which would have been on Oct. 16, 2021. The reality is that – early election call or not -- this provincial election was always going to be held during the COVID-19 pandemic. Holding...