A new rapid access to addictions medicine (RAAM) clinic is now open in Thompson, but a similar clinic is unlikely for Flin Flon.
The clinic in Thompson, which was officially opened on Oct. 18, was one of five RAAM clinics funded by Manitoba Health this year. Two of the four other centres are located in Winnipeg, while the other two are in Brandon and Selkirk.
The new clinic provides care for anyone seeking help with substance use and addiction, including people impacted by drugs or alcohol. The clinic can also provide tips and assistance for active addicts who wish to stop using or abusing strong substances and treatment for substance users suffering from illness related to addiction, including hepatitis, some bloodborne illnesses and infections.
At the NHR’s recent annual general meeting, CEO Helga Bryant confirmed that a similar addictions treatment centre in Flin Flon was unlikely to be built soon.
Bryant said Manitoba Health had allocated finances for only one centre in the north and five across Manitoba, adding no further funding for similar centres has yet been announced.
“At this point, we have the addictions centre in Thompson. The current government has implemented five across the province. The north received one,” she said, acknowledging further addiction care in the north is necessary.
“We know there is a huge need for more, we know that. We see that and our physicians and nurses see the challenges around substance abuse in our emergency departments, we see it in our social sector,” she said.
Bryant said NHR, as well as other health regions and groups, will push the provincial government to add more funding for addiction care.
“We’ll certainly keep lobbying and I expect that every region will be lobbying as well. Five is not enough for the whole province,” said Bryant.
