WINNIPEG The Manitoba government announced on Tuesday that it’s providing $889,000 for eight beds to support patient transfers from Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinics. Health Minister Cameron Friesen made the announcement in a news release, noting the funding will be provided over three years. Friesen said the ability to transfer patients to withdrawal management services is critical to the success and sustainability of Winnipeg’s RAAM clinics. “These beds will support RAAM patients experiencing withdrawal issues, reducing barriers to care, shortening wait times and ensuring quicker access to substance-use disorder treatment,” he said. RAAM clinics provide counselling, prescribe medications, and connect patients to treatment programs and primary care physicians. Patients who need help with withdrawal symptoms are transferred to withdrawal management services.
Winnipeg Free Press
Costly care-home additions remain shuttered during code-red restrictions
Look but don t go in there: Manitoba’s $17.9-million visitation shelters to allow personal care home residents to see loved ones are nearly all in place but won’t be used under code-red restrictions. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Manitoba’s $17.9-million visitation shelters to allow personal care home residents to see loved ones during a pandemic are nearly all in place but won’t be used under code-red restrictions.
Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba’s $17.9-million visitation shelters to allow personal care home residents to see loved ones during a pandemic are nearly all in place but won’t be used under code-red restrictions.
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As Manitobans prepare to pause and celebrate the holidays alone, health professionals continue to feel the pressure.
Case numbers may be stable but hospitals and care homes continue to be a busy place. In some places, such as at Seven Oaks Hospital, the staff have been too busy for Christmas decorations. Busy days and concerns over COVID are causing stress among the staff. There is a bit of anxiety about what still is to come and how bad could it be. So we are really hoping that everyone stays vigilant, Chief Nursing Officer Lanette Siragusa says.
Winnipeg Free Press
Health minister delivers precipitously optimistic turning point message By: Tom Brodbeck | Posted: 7:00 PM CST Monday, Dec. 21, 2020
Opinion
Manitobans may finally be getting a payoff after weeks of strict COVID-19 restrictions. But Health Minister Cameron Friesen’s mini victory lap Monday was premature.
Manitobans may finally be getting a payoff after weeks of strict COVID-19 restrictions. But Health Minister Cameron Friesen’s mini victory lap Monday was premature.
The province announced 167 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, the lowest daily number since late October. For the first time since Nov. 15, Manitoba’s test positivity rate fell below 13 per cent over the weekend (dropping to 11.5 per cent Monday). It’s still high and remains above the national average. The World Health Organization says the rate should be below five per cent before governments loosen their restrictions. Nevertheless
WINNIPEG A trio of personal care homes in Manitoba are getting an added layer of protection in the fight against COVID-19. Three sites, including Winnipeg’s Deer Lodge Centre, are being sent Abbott Panbio COVID-19 antigen tests. “It’s a rapid test that we get the results back in 20 minutes,” said Kevin Scott, chief operating officer at Deer Lodge Centre. “It’s really that extra measure for us to be able to keep our patients and residents safe.” The goal is to stop COVID from unknowingly infiltrating these highly vulnerable places and infecting the people who call them home.