The Manitoba government has recently released their Provincial Clinical and Preventive Services Plan, which supposedly outlines their five year plan for health care reform in Manitoba. However, as usual, this is nothing but a “plan to have a plan” as it is short on detail when it comes to northern health services. The government will be picking and choosing winners and losers in the north when it selects “regional hubs” for services, rather than ensuring all northerners have the care they need close to home.
The president of the Manitoba Nurses Union stated the changes the government is proposing for northern health care could potentially extend travel times to emergency rooms and other care facilities. The union is also concerned this plan could have detrimental impacts on patient care for those in northern Manitoba. Likewise, the plan will likely mean further cuts to and closures of heath care facilities in rural and Northern Manitoba.
This government continues to place the services and safety of northern Manitobans at risk, as it continues on its trek to privatize and cut valuable services in the north. First, it was the suspension of obstetric services (for over a year now) which has prevented northern women from delivering in or near their home community. Then, it was the privatization of LifeFlight. Now, they are cutting 24-hour ferry services at South Indian Lake, which is the only route out or in for emergency services. How will families, mothers and seniors access these hubs with reduced ferry service, inadequate LifeFlight services and cuts to snow clearing on northern runways and highways among other barriers?
What we need from this government is transparency - a clear explanation on what they specifically intend to do to improve and invest in health care services in northern Manitoba. The reduction of services that this government is forcing particularly on northern Manitobans is simply unacceptable.
The legislature resumes session March 4. As the critic for labour and northern issues, I will be busy challenging and defending the rights of workers in our province and the rights of northerners. Above all, we will fight to hold this government to account, particularly on the issues impacting the north.
I wish you all the best in the coming new year. For any concerns or questions, please contact my office at Tom.Lindsey@yourmanitoba.ca, or call me at 1-204-687-3246
