The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority has some serious concerns surrounding Greyhound Canada's proposal to cut its bus schedule. The NRHA relies on the existing bus service for crucial tasks such as delivering medications to Snow Lake and forwarding time-sensitive lab samples to Winnipeg. With Greyhound hoping to eliminate its overnight bus from Flin Flon to Winnipeg and reduce service between Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson, the health care system would feel some effects. "The changes would negatively impact our services, both financially and the overall delivery," said spokesperson Corliss Patterson. "We're very concerned because it would affect a lot of our program and service areas. We would have to find alternative ways to continue providing what we have been doing." Greyhound Canada, which owns the Grey Goose bus line, says the passenger demand no longer exists to continue with the current schedule. The company hopes to reduce services starting March 1. See 'Letter' P.# Con't from P.# The NRHA recently outlined its concerns in a recent letter to the Manitoba Motor Transport Board, which will ultimately decide whether the cutbacks go ahead. Among the concerns outlined in the letter: Costs for the Northern Transportation Program would be impacted, as the NRHA pays for busing and accommodations for patients who need medical services in Winnipeg. With no overnight bus to the city, patients will have to stay in Winnipeg for a longer period of time and thus require more money. Lab samples forwarded to Winnipeg are time-sensitive. Lab Samples requiring "stat" results from The Pas will be affected. Lab supplies, such as blood, received from Winnipeg will incur delays. Films from diagnostic imaging services that are sent to Winnipeg will incur delays. Medications are sent to Snow Lake on a regular basis via the bus. Snow Lake sends invoices to The Pas, which in turn sends cheques back to Snow Lake. There would therefore be delays in payment to staff, including physicians.
