Latest news with #IWKHealthCentre
CTV News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Anne Murray donates iconic bedazzled JUNOs jersey to raise funds for IWK
Anne Murray acknowledges the crowd after receiving the Lifetime Achievement award during the Juno Awards, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, March 30, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns) Canadian music icon, Anne Murray, is turning heads once again—this time for a meaningful act of generosity. The singer has donated the now-famous bedazzled Team Canada hockey jersey she wore while accepting her Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 JUNO Awards. The one-of-a-kind outfit, covered in rhinestones, is being auctioned off to raise funds for the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. 'I tried to think of what would be the best thing to do with it, and of course IWK came to mind right away,' Murray said in an interview with CTV Atlantic's Katie Kelly. The red-and-white jersey first made waves at the JUNOs in March, where Murray made a rare public appearance to receive her 26th career JUNO. In her speech, Murray noted she was pressured to move to New York or Los Angeles early in her career because most of her work was in the U.S., but she said – to a loud round of applause and cheers – she 'just couldn't do it.' 'I knew instinctively that I needed a place to go to escape when my work was done,' she told the crowd. 'Canada was my safe haven, my safety blanket, my light at the end of the tunnel and it still is.' Murray says the idea came together at the last minute. 'I couldn't find a thing to wear, and my friend said, 'Why don't you wear a hockey jersey?' I thought, 'What a great idea!'' she said. Her daughter Dawn suggested she 'bling it up,' and with help from her Vancouver-based team, the glittering garment was born. While the outfit stole the spotlight on JUNO night, Murray hopes it will now do even more off-stage. 'What's more heart-wrenching than a sick child? I didn't even hesitate when we talked about donating it,' she said. 'I'm really happy that's where it's going.' The auction runs until June 12, with 100 per cent of proceeds supporting the IWK Health Centre, which provides specialized care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritimes.
CTV News
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Maritimers step up in generosity again for IWK Telethon
Watch the 41st annual IWK Telethon for Children on CTV and support Maritime children and families in need. Every year, Maritimers rally behind a cause that is close to home and touches countless lives – and that's supporting the IWK Health Centre through the IWK Telethon for Children. The telethon – broadcast live on CTV Atlantic – brings in millions each year for the IWK, which is an internationally renowned children's and women's hospital. But the hospital itself does need help, said IWK Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Gillivan, because government funding only goes so far. 'It's an old building and it needs upgrades,' said Gillivan. 'We need new technology. It keeps changing. So, we need better equipment, all the time. We have new programs and research, and it drives new ways to treat kids and patients.' Now in its 41st year, the IWK Telethon has become a powerful showing of the generosity of community, which is always there to support the cause. IWK Telethon Volunteers operate the call-in donation lines at the 41st annual IWK Telethon on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Jesse Thomas/CTV Atlantic) Last year, it raised a record $7.5 million for its 40th anniversary. Even when times are tough financially for people, Gillivan said Maritimers step up in generosity. 'There's something right about a community when they know to put kids and women first,' said Gillivan. 'To actually support them in this way, there's just something right about that.' It's no small task to pull off the telethon and TV broadcast, but it's a labour of love for the roughly 400 volunteers and those working in front of the cameras, telling the stories, and those behind the cameras helping to deliver the show. IWK Telethon Former CTV Atlantic chief anchor Steve Murphy and former CTV News at Five host Jayson Baxter share a laugh during the 41st IWK Telethon on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Jesse Thomas/CTV Atlantic) 'I don't think people realize how much work has gone into building the set, writing the scripts and finding those patient stories,' said CTV's Liz Rigney, who is also the lead producer of the IWK Telethon. 'There is a big team, and everyone is so happy and so proud at the end of this production.' The IWK Telethon is about raising money for the hospital but at the heart of it, it's about highlighting the patient stories and the real lives and families who have been touched by the incredible work and staff who make a difference at the IWK. 'I can't believe the level of skill, the knowledge, and the genius of the people who work at the IWK,' said Rigney. 'I don't think people understand, it's a world class facility and we're so happy to support it with the telethon.' The IWK Telethon runs until 6 p.m. Sunday. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Health advocates express concern about potential alcohol sales changes in N.S.
As the Nova Scotia government prepares to uncork consultation on whether to expand retail options for alcohol in the province, a coalition of health groups is calling for those talks to be transparent and for consideration of potential risks to play a factor in any decision. "Talking to groups that are trying to make a difference and move the needle on health outcomes that are impacted by alcohol is a really important voice to have when we do these types of consultations," said Kara Thompson, an associate professor, research chair in substance use policy and prevention, and director of the Institute for Innovation in Health at St. Francis Xavier University. Thompson also chairs the Nova Scotia Alcohol Policy Coalition. The group sent a letter this week to all 55 MLAs in the province, along with senior health and finance officials, outlining their concerns with the potential of expanded sales points. Signatories on the letter also include representatives for the Canadian Cancer Society, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor from the IWK Health Centre and organizations that fight intimate partner and family violence. Counter to key government mandate "[The government] has committed to fixing health-care in this province and the suggestion that we expand access to alcohol is directly counter to that mandate," said Thompson in an interview. "There is no doubt that increased access to alcohol is going to increase health-care costs." The letter to MLAs says that in 2022, alcohol was responsible for 571 deaths and almost 44,200 emergency department and hospital visits across the province. Alcohol-related harms cost the province hundreds of millions of dollars a year in related expenses, the letter says. Government officials confirmed last month that the idea of expanding sales for alcohol in the province to locations such as convenience stores was being kicked around. At the time, Premier Tim Houston said he was intrigued by the idea, but pledged "extensive consultation" before any changes happen. Details from gov't to come Finance Minister John Lohr's department will lead consultations when they begin. Lohr was not made available for an interview Wednesday, but a department spokesperson said in a statement the government is working to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, and changes in the alcohol sector "may be a key part of that effort." "Before any decisions can be made about how alcohol is sold, we first need to engage with stakeholders to better understand the broader issues and what Nova Scotians may want to see," said Heather Fairbairn. "We'll be happy to share more about what that process will look like shortly before the engagement begins." Representatives for the province's craft brewing and wine growers associations support the idea, provided any new shelf space comes with requirements for a certain amount of Nova Scotia-made products. They also want to be consulted. 'Significant access' already available Mike Hammoud, Atlantic vice-president for the Convenience Industry Council of Canada, declined an interview request. In a statement, Hammoud said the organization has not been invited so far for any consultation but has long supported opening up new sales channels for provincial producers of beer, wine and ready-to-drink products. "Our members have a stellar track record of retailing age-restricted products," the statement said. "We look forward to the day when Nova Scotia and the other Maritime provinces join the majority of Eastern Canadians (Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland) who already have the choice to buy local beer and related products in licensed and inspected retail convenience stores." But in their letter to MLAs, Thompson and coalition members say it's unclear why there is a need for more retail options given that there are already 110 NSLC retail stores and 65 agency stores. There are also four private retailers in the Halifax area and craft breweries, wineries and other producers can sell direct to customers. "Nova Scotia already has significant access to alcohol and a privatized retail system," the letter said. If the government does go ahead with opening up sales, coalition members are calling for "appropriate guardrails," such as requirements for training for people working in stores, rules about how close alcohol can be sold in proximity to schools, and parameters around what kinds of products are allowed to be sold in various retail outlets.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Health minister not concerned about delays to electronic medical records launch
Social Sharing Health Minister Michelle Thompson says she doesn't love that there are more delays with the launch of Nova Scotia's new electronic medical records system, but she says it's important to get things right. Officials with Nova Scotia Health recently announced the $365-million system will now begin rolling out at the IWK Health Centre in December, as opposed to this summer. Rollouts at subsequent health-care sites would follow. Thompson told reporters on Thursday that the delay is only with the start date, and that the development of the clinical information system, also known as One Person One Record, remains on track. "It's going to be a very important tool for us and it's going to make a big difference and, you know, we only get one shot to do it first and I want it to be as smooth as possible and this is the path," she said. After the system launches, the work done to prepare will be applicable for the other rollout stages and so the minister said people should not be worried about further delays beyond that. What the program will do When it launches, the system will allow health-care professionals anywhere in the province to see what's happening in real time with a patient who's entered the acute-care system. The program, which is being designed by Oracle Cerner Canada, a division of U.S.-based tech giant Oracle Corp., will replace dozens of systems health-care professionals use now to view patient records, many of which are unable to communicate with one another. It's also important to ensure there's capacity in place to support the people using the system, said the minister. She recalled touring a hospital in Vancouver where a similar system had been recently introduced at the site's intensive care unit. "I thought it would be pandemonium when I went in there, to be honest, and it was so calm, people were so happy because of the preparatory work that was done," she said. Despite the delays, Thompson said there would be no change in the cost of the system. Opposition reaction New Democrat MLA Susan Leblanc said it's been a long wait for the system to be ready and it's disappointing there are further delays. Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette said a lot of money is going into the initiative and he's taking a wait-and-see approach on things.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Halifax hospitals short nearly 4,000 parking spots to meet peak demand
Social Sharing New numbers from Nova Scotia Health reveal that it needs nearly 4,000 more parking spaces than currently exist to handle the demand at the biggest health-care facilities in Halifax. For months, a lack of parking has been a major point of contention at the Halifax Infirmary, Victoria General and IWK Health Centre. Those frustrations grew after the government lifted parking fees across the province, leading to more visitors at hospital lots and pushing staff off site. Health Minister Michelle Thompson addressed the controversy Thursday, saying that hospitals are going through "growing pains" as they adjust to the new free parking program. "I think people can expect to see tweaks to the program. We want people to be happy. This is a good news story. We'll get there. There are bumps," Thompson said as reporters pressed her on staff concerns. Staff have refused to speak publicly, fearing repercussions at work, but they've been venting their frustrations to their unions, opposition leaders and CBC News. They're not allowed to park in the main lots during peak hours, and are told to either use off-site lots or alternatives to get to work as a way to provide more spaces to patients and their visitors. If they park at the hospitals, they're charged $6 an hour, or about $72 for their 12-hour shifts. Available spots are limited New numbers obtained by CBC News show just how competitive it is to find a spot. Nova Scotia Health said it has 2,365 parking spots at the Victoria General, Halifax Infirmary and off-site lots. It estimates at peak times, it needs 6,220 spots for the staff, volunteers and patients who drive to the facilities. That leaves 3,855 people trying to find other places to park in the city's downtown, which is already busy. Those numbers don't include the needs of the nearby IWK Health Centre, and were calculated before parking became free and demand increased. "What we need to do is strike a balance between allocation for patients and allocation for staff and make sure that we have the right mix," said Thompson. "There will be more things to understand as we move forward." She said for now, they need to take a close look at the logistics of the lots and see what the actual need is. "There's certainly been a spotlight on it," she said. "I think we need to go through these growing pains and I have confidence they'll be worked out." Members of the province's opposition parties said they don't understand why the work hasn't already been done. Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette said the government should have foreseen the problems. "We're hearing ... from nurses and medical professionals that right now it's a disaster," he said. NDP MLA Susan LeBlanc echoed Mombourquette's disbelief. "It's beyond me why this idea of free parking at hospitals couldn't have been figured out before it was played out. But frankly no, it's not working," she said. The health authority said it is working on solutions and expects to announce some changes to the program soon.
