August 28, 2008
New One-Stop Health Access Centre In The Works For West Winnipeg: Ministers
– – –Public Invited to Learn More About New ACCESS St. James Project At Community Information Sessions Next Month
Residents of west Winnipeg will have improved access to primary health care and community services with the development of a new ACCESS health service centre in St. James, Health Minister Theresa Oswald and Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.
“The services in these one-stop community health centres are tailored to the needs of the area residents, making it convenient for people to receive care close to home,” said Oswald. “These investments in primary health care strengthen our communities and make quality health care more accessible to Manitobans.”
Plans for the new ACCESS St. James include services such as primary health, community mental health and counselling and public health care, supported living services, child daycare services, community outreach, vocational services and employment and income assistance.
ACCESS St. James will be the fourth community health service centre to be developed in Winnipeg. ACCESS River East was opened in 2004, ACCESS Transcona was opened last year and plans for ACCESS Northwest are in development.
“ACCESS centres are an innovative way to deliver a range of social services to a community,” said Mackintosh. “Uniting services under one roof connects community organizations with area residents, making sure people have access to the care and resources they need.”
Plans for ACCESS St. James have been developed through a partnership between Manitoba Health, Manitoba Family Services and Housing and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA).
“Having all these services in one location results in better co-ordination, delivery and ultimately better care for our patients and clients,” said Milton Sussman, WRHA chief operating officer and
vice-president of Community Health Services.
vice-president of Community Health Services.
The WRHA is hosting two public information sessions about the project for residents wanting to learn more about the project. Sessions will be held:
· Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. at the Health and Social Services Office, 3401 Roblin Blvd.; and
· Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Dr.
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