July 23 - Inside the hospital staffing crisis

Good morning !

Today we have new info on the staffing crisis in local hospitals, including details showing that current problems date back to last year—and even to before the pandemic.

— Cam

🌤️ Today's weather: Mainly sunny. Cloudier in late afternoon. Some wind. High 22 (18 near water). Humidex 25. UV index 8 (very high). Night cloudy, before Monday rain.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.

NEWS

Behind the increase in shortages and closures at Victoria-area hospitals

This month nurses rallied at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital in response to news that its ER would be closed for the rest of the summer. But doctors say that such shortages have been brewing locally for years and have escalated over the past year-plus.

Documents obtained through Freedom of Information show that last fall Island Health was planning for long-term operating room closures at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General. This followed the loss of 19 employees to the South Island Surgical Centre, a previously private facility the province had just acquired.

Staff departures from higher- to lower-stress facilities are common, according to two doctors, but these shifts contributed to 69 days’ worth of operating room closures over three months late last year.

Read more on the problems last fall and the current situation at Capital Daily.

Capital Bulletin

🌦️ This week’s weather: Some early-week rain, then sun and cloud in the low 20s.

🔥 New fires: South Haslam Creek near Nanaimo Airport (<1ha) and Muchalat Inlet near Gold River (35ha).

NEWS

Queen of the world: Victoria’s Jimbo wins Drag Race

Jimbo the Drag Clown has won the latest edition of drag’s highest-profile competition. In Friday’s RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season finale, Jimbo defeated rival and ally Kandy Muse to secure a spot in the Hall of Fame and $200K USD. Following the win, Jimbo announced a 56-city “Jimbo’s Drag Circus” solo tour of North America for next year.

The idiosyncratic local performer was a frontrunner of Season 8 of All Stars, leading all contestants with four challenge wins. A big figure in the Victoria arts scene for years, Jimbo’s unique approach to drag—with signature clown makeup and unhinged comedy—has now amassed an international following from the high-profile program.

Read the full story at Capital Daily.

NEWS

Colwood joins View Royal in pursuing light rail project

Mayor Doug Kobayashi joined View Royal mayor Sid Tobias in support after a recent mayors’ meeting, saying he hopes that this might change the course of commuting.

Vancouver-based ThinkEco Power Inc. and UK-based Penmark initially proposed a six-month trial period in which they would test the train’s speed, safety, and functions at no cost. ThinkEco seeks provincial and Capital Regional District approval to use and widen a section of the Galloping Goose Trail.

The region, and especially the Westshore, is projected to grow significantly in the coming decades. For that reason, Kobayashi says it’s worth at least trying out an option that could expand and diversify local transit, and could carry up to 200 people at 90km//h.

Read more on this project at The Westshore, and more on other long-term transportation options—including a ferry, gondola, and conventional train—in this Capital Daily feature.

SPONSORED BY UNITED WAY SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND (UWSVI)

Support Hulitan’s Indigenous daycare

United Way Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI) is proud to be fundraising on behalf of Hulitan Family and Community Services Society for their daycare centre, which is now in development. UWSVI’s fundraising focus is to outfit the Hulitan Family Services Trauma Informed Daycare with equipment, with a capital campaign goal of $650,000.

You can donate now at uwsvi.ca

Capital Picks

🏎️ Oak Bay Collector Car Festival: See over 300 vintage and collector cars today on Oak Bay Ave. near Foul Bay. 8am-3pm. [Details]

🖼️ Creative Corridor Studio Tour: Explore local studios and galleries across Saanich today. 10am-4pm.

🌹 Victorian Garden Party: Enjoy tea and pound cake while listening to fiddler music today at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum. 1-4pm.

✨ Enjoy spectacular summer evenings with night illuminations at The Butchart Gardens, Wednesday through Sunday until September 15th. See The Gardens in a whole new light.*

🎸 Josh Warren’s Groove Circus at Hermann’s Jazz Club: The multi-instrumentalist bandleader will be joined today by saxophonist Cole Ashley, guitarist Wes Carroll, pianist Emmett Hodgins, and drummer Ryan Bennett. 5:30pm.

🎤 David July at Upstairs: See the melodic hip hop artist at his debut Victoria show, with guests Valence. Show at 7pm, tickets $15. [Tickets]

💃 Flamenco Festival: Dance and musical performances will take place at locations across the city. July 22-29.

🤝 Now hiring: On-Call Administrative Assistant at Fernwood NRG

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🌡️ Greater Victoria’s driest six months on record
From January to July, the airport weather measuring station recorded just 222.3 millimetres of rain—the least since records began in 1940. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

⚽ Pacific FC clinging to #1 spot by narrowest margin
This weekend’s 0-2 loss to Forge FC has plunged the Langford soccer team into a tie with that top rival for first place in the Canadian Premier League. Both have 26 points, but PFC holds the better goal differential. The game was paused after Djenairo Daniels was injured in a collision; he was later reported stable but sent to hospital as a precaution.
The game also paused for a moment of silence for Phil Rendall, a Westshore man who died unexpectedly in his sleep at 40 last weekend; donations are being collected for his family.

💐 Man dies after crash with Nanaimo vehicle going the wrong way
Soccer player Reid Davidson, 24, had collided with a driver who was allegedly impaired and fled the scene. [CTV]
It was one of several serious Island crashes this week, including one that killed a local man who had become a hockey star in Great Britain.

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Lighting and Scenic Technician at Butchart Gardens

• Comfort Advisor (Outside Sales) at Sasquatch Heat Pumps

• Food Security Intern at Fernwood NRG

• Payroll Clerk at Butchart Gardens

• Associate Dentist at Oaklands Dental

Looking for more openings? See 50+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

In Case You Missed It

🐻📹 Bear vs camera: A black bear got in-your-face with a camera on MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) First Nation territory, but the chew marks and broken lens were easily fixed. [Video]

🛞 New mobile health clinic: Cool Aid has gotten a second “doctor on wheels” van to bring healthcare to the region’s most vulnerable. [Capital Daily]

⛱️ Ultimate summer patio guide: 30+ local patios broken down by region and by which allow dogs and minors.[Tasting Victoria]

🐾 Cougar spotted near Camosun Lansdowne Campus: The sighting occurred Thu. near Allenby Park at Dean and Townley.

💐 Friday’s headlines: UK hockey star killed in local crash. Songhees to get new sewer system. Ferry cancellations spur new 1am run. [July 21] 

🧋 8 places to get cool drinks: From bubble tea to specialty pop, Victoria has plenty of options for non-alcoholic drinks on hot summer days like these. [Tasting Victoria]