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Cindy E. Harnett

Cindy E. Harnett

Cindy Harnett is a Times Colonist reporter focused on health.

Cindy is originally from Toronto, where she attended York University and Ryerson University before taking her first newspaper job in northern Ontario, where she learned about forestry, wildlife, block heaters, and snowstorms in May. She has worked as a reporter in Quesnel and a managing editor at Black Press, and has contributed to publications including Maclean’s magazine.

In 2008, Cindy and her Times Colonist colleagues picked up a Jack Webster Best News Reporting of the Year award for coverage of the 2007 Lee family murder-suicide, which highlighted gross inadequacies in domestic violence and child protection services and police co-ordination.

Over the years, Cindy has gravitated to issues of justice, including the 1997 swarming and murder of teenager Reena Virk, the 2012 botched firing of eight B.C. Health Ministry researchers during which one committed suicide, the 2018 toxic drug poisoning death of Elliot Eurchuk, and the 2019 William Head jailbreak that saw two prisoners charged with murder.

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Recent Work by Cindy E.

Island Health on hunt for facilities for hard-to-house patients now in long-term care homes

Island Health on hunt for facilities for hard-to-house patients now in long-term care homes

Nurses says patients with mental-health, substance-use and behavioural issues in need of around-the-clock medical care pose a risk to the frail elderly
Harm-reduction supplies still available at hospitals where kiosks removed: Island Health

Harm-reduction supplies still available at hospitals where kiosks removed: Island Health

The province is reviewing the kiosks, which were intended to provide an option for those who wouldn’t or couldn’t seek in-person services
Almost 250,000 B.C. patients matched with doctors through registry: province

Almost 250,000 B.C. patients matched with doctors through registry: province

The Health Connect registry for patients and a second one for physicians were launched in July 2023
Victoria chief says police handing off mental-health patients at hospital face hours-long waits

Victoria chief says police handing off mental-health patients at hospital face hours-long waits

Del Manak says the problem could be solved in part by provincial legislation to give security guards in hospitals special constable status.
Victoria General Hospital set to make the shift to all-digital

Victoria General Hospital set to make the shift to all-digital

A 24-7 command centre and urgent care centre are ready for the move, set for 7 a.m. Saturday
Man arrested after youths attacked with knife, bear spray on trail in Langford

Man arrested after youths attacked with knife, bear spray on trail in Langford

A man described as acting erratically was arrested at a nearby home.
Victoria General Hospital set to switch from handwriting and faxes to computerized system

Victoria General Hospital set to switch from handwriting and faxes to computerized system

Victoria General Hospital, South Island Surgical Centre, Gorge Road Health Centre to switch at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Poilievre tours Vancouver Island shop floors to appeal to 'ordinary' workers

Poilievre tours Vancouver Island shop floors to appeal to 'ordinary' workers

B.C. Conservatives aim to appeal to “ordinary” workers. Poilievre visits Duncan and Nanaimo on Wednesday.
Premier asks for review of harm-reduction supply vending machines at hospitals

Premier asks for review of harm-reduction supply vending machines at hospitals

Supplies come under fire, said to enable drug use instead of offering treatment.
Some patients are smoking meth in care homes, endangering others, worker says

Some patients are smoking meth in care homes, endangering others, worker says

Staff want no-smoking rules enforced, full-time security, and specialized clinicians to deal with hard-to-house residents.
More work by Cindy E. >