In a recent position statement, the Canadian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists argued that immigrant patients’ expressed wishes to be treated by a doctor of their own sex, race, culture or religion — reportedly a common phenomenon — should not …
First Nation set to build private hospital
Innovation in health care is coming from an unlikely place. A First Nation in British Columbia is using its unique constitutional position to create what is taboo in the rest of Canada. The self-governing Westbank First Nation is set to …
Harm Reduction News
A Lancet study finds e-cigarettes appear to cut consumption of smokers. After six months, however, the 57% of e-cigarette users had halved the number of cigarettes smoked each day compared with 41% in those using patches. I find it strange …
Precautionary Principle Push Back
News from the UK dealing with over reach in advice to pregnant women.
A Hospital Case: Sweden is leading the world in allowing private companies to run public institutions
SAINT GORAN’S hospital is one of the glories of the Swedish welfare state. It is also a laboratory for applying business principles to the public sector. The hospital is run by a private company, Capio, which in turn is run by a consortium of private-equity funds, including Nordic Capital and Apax Partners. The doctors and nurses are Capio employees, answerable to a boss and a board. Doctors talk enthusiastically about “the Toyota model of production” and “harnessing innovation” to cut costs.
Why are Alberta doctors getting the short end of the stick?
In their dealings with teachers and doctors, the Alberta government of Alison Redford is showing preference to one group and derision to another. But before we get into the arguments, let me state two things right off the bat: I …
Health-Care Funding Promises Ignore Reality: Province should look abroad to find innovative solutions that work
In her “A GP for Me” plan, Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid is promising an extra $100 million for 176,000 new patients. That works out to $568 per year per new patient, which would pay for a simple GP office visit about every three weeks for an average patient, one per month for the frail, or one visit every six weeks for complex or pregnant patients.