Patients in Thompson now have access to a specialized program that provides emergency care for stroke patients in rural communities.
The Telestroke program allows stroke neurologists and radiologists to consult with emergency physicians in rural hospitals through videoconferencing and shared CT images.
These specialists can determine if a stroke has occurred, the type of stroke and appropriate treatment options.
“The hours after a patient has had a stroke are critical,” said Health Minister Sharon Blady. “This innovative service will help patients in the North receive the expert care they need as quickly as possible.”
A stroke can be caused by a blood clot or a hemorrhage that cuts off blood flow to the brain. When a blood clot is to blame, a patient treated with a clot-busting drug called TPA within four and a half hours of the start of symptoms may experience partial or complete recovery.
By providing Telestroke in Thompson, local patients will have access to specialized care during this critical period of time, Blady said.
“Thompson can now provide patients with emergent stroke care by using technology to access specialists in other parts of the province,” said Helga Bryant, CEO of the Northern Health Region. “Thompson is an important hub for northern Manitoba and being able to provide emergent stroke care will benefit Manitobans in our region.”
Guard charged
A contract employee hired to guard prisoners at a northern Manitoba RCMP detachment has been arrested and charged with sexual assault.
The man, 54, was also charged with uttering threats and breach of trust.
The charges came after police investigated a
Jan. 26 report of a guard sexually assaulting a female prisoner at the Oxford House RCMP detachment on Jan. 23.
The accused was hired through the Commissionaires to serve as a guard for prisoners lodged in cells at the detachment. His RCMP security clearance and access to the building have been revoked.
He is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Thompson on March 27.
Death investigated
Shamattawa RCMP launched an investigation Feb. 4 into the death of an adult man on the remote northern Manitoba reserve.
No other details were provided as of press time. Shamattawa is located in northeastern Manitoba, near the Ontario border.
On target
The NDP government says it is moving forward to ensure every Manitoban who wants a family doctor or nurse practitioner will have access to one by the end of this year.
Health Minister Sharon Blady said one component of the plan, the Family Doctor Finder, has so far connected 23,000 Manitobans with a primary care practitioner.
“Ensuring that Manitobans have access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner who will provide them with ongoing care is a first step in building a more co-ordinated and accessible primary care system for Manitoba families,” said Blady.
The province’s Family Doctor for All strategy is built on three main pillars: training and hiring more doctors and nurse practitioners; opening more clinics to offer additional care options; and innovating to develop better, more accessible care built around the needs of patients and communities.
The province has also offered financial support to existing fee-for-service clinics to employ additional health professionals, like nurse practitioners, physician assistants and others, giving each of them the ability to accept more patients.
Break out the tackle
Feb. 14 to 16 marks another free fishing weekend in Saskatchewan – the first in winter – to promote the province’s many ice fishing opportunities.
This means everyone, including visitors from outside the province, can fish in Saskatchewan on Family Day weekend without having to purchase a licence.
“Ice fishing is a popular activity for many Saskatchewan anglers,” Environment Minister Scott Moe said. “The Family Day weekend is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to learn about and enjoy the sport of ice fishing, and to recognize the province’s diverse angling opportunities.”
Caution and common sense are key to safe and enjoyable ice fishing. Test the ice thickness before you travel on it. A minimum of 10 cm of good ice is required for walking and 30 cm for light vehicle travel.
Anglers are reminded that all other fishing regulations, including possession limits and reduced limits on some lakes and rivers, remain in effect for free fishing weekend.
Many of the rules that apply to angling remain the same for ice fishing; however, anglers should consult the Anglers’ Guide to become familiar with rules that are specific to ice fishing before heading out.
