COVID-19

Manitoba has yet to approve extended virtual care visits with doctors or specialists and is the only province in the country that doesn't allow doctors to bill for such visits.

The SMA is asking the next government to make further investments in rural mental health and addictions treatment. This echoes pleas by rural physicians for access to mental health and addictions treatment professionals such as counsellors, psychologists or psychiatrists, and the ability to call on their services on short notice. Lack of access is particularly acute with children’s mental health care.

Healthcare professionals can provide patients with information page advising on COVID-19 and breastfeeding.

The nurses, doctors and social workers involved in the mobile unit travel the city, jumping between homeless encampments and other areas to treat anyone in need of medical attention.

In response to the staffing shortages, the commission recommended that in addition to increasing the supply of PSWs, the province should ensure LTC staff recruitment efforts are addressing the need for an appropriate mixture of staff to meet the "increasing acuity and complex care needs of residents."