As summer vacations come to an end, and we begin to look forward to the fall, it is a good time to start thinking about how to best protect ourselves and our loved ones from illnesses like influenza.

Beginning Aug. 1, 2012, British Columbia parents will be able to register the birth of their newborn child online, with the launch of a new birth registration system.

Doctors have ratified a new four-year agreement that will support ongoing efforts to recruit and retain physicians, while also improving access to specialists and care in rural and remote communities.

Nine local governments will receive Age-friendly BC Recognition for their efforts to support older residents to remain healthy and active in the community.

The Queen Charlotte/Haida Gwaii Hospital Replacement (QCHGHR) project took an important step forward today with the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to design and build a new hospital. The RFQ is the first step in the process to select a qualified team to design and build the replacement facility.

Minister of Health Michael de Jong has issued the following statement:

"Today the Medical Services Commission released an audit of Cambie Surgeries Corporation and the Specialist Referral Clinic (Vancouver) Inc. which indicated a practice of billing patients for publicly insured medical services.

The Medical Services Commission has found evidence that Cambie Surgeries Corporation and the Specialist Referral Clinic (Vancouver) Inc. have billed patients for publicly-insured medical services at two Vancouver clinics, the Cambie Surgery Centre and the Specialist Referral Clinic.

Construction is now underway on the Mission Community Health Project, which includes a new community health centre and 200-bed campus of care for seniors.

Northern Health today released a tender for site preparation for the new Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre.