B.C. is committing $2 million in one-time funding to the Michael Cuccione Foundation to support childhood cancer research and treatment, Health Minister Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid announced today.

Patients staying at the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver centre will no longer have to be moved to a separate examination room when receiving general check-ups, thanks to a new bed-lighting system that will assist doctors in conducting examinations in-room.

Necessary upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) building are expected to ensure disease-related agents are properly contained.

A $400,000 investment by the B.C. government is expected to greatly improve the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital.

The medical air compressors at St. Paul's Hospital are being replaced to maintain patient safety.

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.

British Columbia will invest $39 million in life science that will improve the lives of British Columbia families and support jobs in the life science sector.