Discussions

Online bookings are now being offered as an alternative to walk-ins at clinics in Vancouver, Richmond and North Vancouver. Clearly, Vancouver Coastal Health needs to do a good job scheduling thousands of appointments, especially since the latest report by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control shows that the total number of COVID-19 cases among B.C. healthcare workers rose to 3,624 from 1,442 when I last reported the figure six weeks ago.

As we mourn the loss of lives and livelihoods, so much is different. But 2020 didn't change absolutely everything. This past year also saw an outdated healthcare system continuing to rely on the fax machine, even for urgent matters. Some clinics continued to ask for their form to be used for all consultation requests, even if all of the information was included in the original request letter. And doctors continued to receive all manner of medico-legal paperwork.