January 20, 2021
Health System Transformation Prioritizes Support for Mental Health and Addictions
– – –Latest Moves Will Establish Strong Foundation for New Government Department, Renews Focus on Improving Quality of Patient Care
The next step in Manitoba’s health system transformation will see key information management and public health roles consolidated within Manitoba Health and Seniors Care, while an integrated mental health and addictions service is established within Shared Health, Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson and Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.
“Manitoba’s health system transformation has identified a number of front-line and administrative support services where provincial co-ordination and integrated operation will improve the delivery of care, patient experiences and health outcomes,” said Stefanson. “As Manitoba’s COVID-19 response continues to evolve, the benefits of a provincial focus on these priority areas within our health system are clear and will allow us to address new challenges in a consistent and well co-ordinated way while we plan for additional initiatives and investments that will improve care and support increased access to priority services as we emerge from the pandemic.”
“Manitoba remains committed to the development of an integrated, provincial approach to mental health and addictions,” said Gordon. “By establishing a solid foundation within Shared Health, we will be able to adopt new and improved ways of delivering care provincially, in ways that improve access to these vital services closer to home for many Manitobans.”
These changes were previously identified by the health system transformation blueprint, released in 2018. Formal notice of the intent to transfer was provided earlier today to unions representing approximately 1,600 employees who may be affected by a transition. Staff working in a variety of health system roles, service areas and facilities have been identified to transition between service delivery organizations, Shared Health, and Manitoba Health and Seniors Care as part of the second wave of the transformation.
The notice marks the start of a process that will involve collaborative discussions with union representatives. Under the terms of applicable collective agreements, no changes may occur prior to May 2021.
The transition process is being carefully planned and sequenced to be as seamless, simple and non-disruptive as possible so that staff can continue to focus on health service delivery. With notice served, discussions with union representatives may now begin to ensure appropriate labour adjustment strategies are developed and implemented well in advance of any change for staff.
Today’s notice affects staff working at Selkirk Mental Health Centre, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and Cadham Provincial Laboratory, as well as staff supporting certain population and public health functions within the department and service delivery organizations.
Final decisions related to the transition of functions, staff and infrastructure will be made following the completion of detailed planning in the coming months.
Health-care workers included in the planned transitions will not experience any change or impact to their day-to-day duties during the notice period. There will also be no impact to the access, availability or delivery of health services for Manitobans.
These transitions build upon the successful movement of approximately 12,000 staff from across the health system to Shared Health in 2019 as part of the first phase of the health system transformation. Shared Health was established in 2017-18 as Manitoba’s provincial health authority with provincial oversight of planning and health service delivery responsibilities, including human resources and health system capital planning and the implementation of Manitoba’s Clinical and Preventive Services Plan.
“We are grateful for the ongoing commitment of all health-care workers to the pandemic response and to the many health services that Manitobans continue to rely upon and access during this unprecedented time,” said Stefanson. “This preparation work is necessary to ensure a seamless transition when we are ready and able to safely do so without impacting Manitoba’s pandemic response.”
For more information on health system transformation, visit https://gov.mb.ca/health/hst/.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2021/01/BG-Health_System_Transition-HSC.pdf