September

I was discouraged to read Dr Arkinstall’s letter extolling the virtues of a private insurance system for those with the opportunity to get extra coverage, leaving the government to provide medical care for those without such coverage or unable to pay (BCMJ 2007;49[6]:296). It sounds simple, but I have two words of advice: look south.

I know it was either a typo or misheard by a steno, but taking the name of one of the world’s great mechanical geniuses in vain (BCMJ 2007;49[4]:170) just has to irk an old coot who has spent much of his life punching holes in paper and (occasionally) medals for fun!

There are major changes to the UK state pension scheme in progress. Anyone who worked in the UK for 3 years (and possibly even 1 year) is entitled to some portion of a UK state pension. You can pay back up to 7 years and only 30 years will be required for a full pension.

BCMA-government partnership benefits family physicians

Primary care renewal in British Columbia—long identified as key to health system sustainability—is finally getting the attention it needs to move from well-meaning talk to goal-directed action. 

1915 - 2007

Born in Geneva, Switzerland, Andre F. Pasquet of Terrace, BC, passed away peacefully in June. He graduated from Queens University in 1943 with a specialty in anesthesia. His anesthesia career was perhaps most distinguished by his close relationship with Wilder Penfield in the late 1940s and early 1950s.