News
Island Health Marches Proudly at Nanaimo Pride
On Sunday, June 8, Island Health took part in the Nanaimo Pride Parade for the first time, held on the traditional and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Men's Health in June
June is Men's Health Month in Canada, with June 9 to 15 marking Men's Health Week for 2025. It is a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of preventative health care and early detection of disease, prioritizing mental health and wellness, and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits amongst men.
New Suicide Risk Management Guideline
Island Health’s MHSU CARE Network has approved a new Suicide Risk Management Guideline for Adult MHSU (March 2025). This represents a foundational rebuild and replaces the 2011 Guideline.
Standing Together: Island Health Supports Pride Month
June marks Pride Month across Canada: a time to recognize the rich history of queer advocacy and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community—Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and other sexual orientations and gender identities—in all its diversity.
Province strengthens community-based primary-care services
The Province is launching an assessment of its primary-care system to ensure it is effectively supporting community-based solutions, including in rural areas, and providing everyone in B.C. with timely access to primary care.
Virtual Psychiatry Service Brings Timely Care to Rural Communities
Island Health has launched the Virtual On-Demand Urgent Psychiatry service, an innovative program that provides adult emergency patients in five rural and remote community hospitals with evening and weekend access to psychiatric consultation through secure virtual technology, improving timely access to mental health care.
Remembering Dr. Steven Kent
It is with deep sadness that we are writing to inform you of the unexpected passing of our colleague and friend, Steven Kent MD, BSc (Med), FRCPC. Dr. Kent passed away, surrounded by loved ones, on Thursday May 22 at Royal Jubilee Hospital. Our thoughts are with his family in their time of grief.
Trauma Tuesdays spotlights concussions June 3
Join Dr. Shelina Babul, director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, BC Children's Hospital; and Olivia Aguiar, injury prevention and safety promotion lead in Population and Public Health at Island Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control June 3 for an online session to learn about concussions.
Expression of Interest: Help Shape Patient-Centred Sustainable Healthcare Messaging through Choosing Wisely
Join our time-limited Working Group and help us shape the next phase of our Choosing Wisely at Island Health Public Awareness Campaign. Physician funding available through Health System Redesign.