Island healthcare workers need to be respected, said Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh

More details about the program, first launched in Vancouver, will be announced next week

A frontline worker said illnesses amongst homeless people are hard to detect due to stigma preventing them from accessing care

This budget is a nearly 10% increase from last year

Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses are filling hospital beds, while surgeries are being postponed to make room

“Mostly because of the staffing issues, there's more being put on each nurse’s shoulders, with less resources available to support them,” said one Island Health nurse

The Island’s drug checking project tested 400% more samples over the holidays compared to last year

Nearly nine out of 10 hospital beds in the province are full