May 10, 2022
New Manitoba Hospitals to be Developed with Local Input from Patients, Health-Care Workers and Communities
– – –Portage la Prairie, Neepawa Hospitals Will Improve Care for Manitobans: Gordon
Patients, health-care workers and local community members are being encouraged to provide their input as health system planners continue design work for new hospitals in Portage la Prairie and Neepawa, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.
“Ensuring new health facilities are built to better support the needs of local care providers and the patients they serve every day is an important priority in planning,” said Gordon. “Building an accessible and culturally safe health system requires the involvement of Manitobans who deliver, support and access care in our communities.”
The minister noted new, modernized health facilities are being built in Portage la Prairie and Neepawa as part of a historic $812-million investment in health infrastructure across the province. An important component of the planning for these projects is engagement with the communities these new facilities will serve, added Gordon, and collaborative and meaningful interaction with local communities, health experts and Indigenous leaders will help ensure the province builds an equitable and culturally safe health system that is accessible and responds to the needs and priorities of all Manitobans.
“Residents of Southern Health-Santé Sud come from diverse backgrounds, speak different languages and have unique health needs,” said Jane Curtis, CEO, Southern Health-Santé Sud. “We are pleased to be launching this as the first of a number of opportunities to hear from local populations about how to deliver services in a way that is more accessible to, and inclusive of, the needs of the populations who live in southern Manitoba and the providers who deliver care in Portage la Prairie.”
“Building a new facility to replace the existing, aging Neepawa Hospital is a step towards building up health care to meet the needs of our growing population,” said Brian Schoonbaert, CEO, Prairie Mountain Health. “We look forward to engaging with staff, community leaders and residents on this meaningful investment in care for the region.”
Current opportunities for engagement are focused on early capital planning efforts, with an emphasis on seeking feedback and input on physical and environmental features including cultural spaces, wayfinding, proximity between outpatient clinics and parking accessibility.
Residents living and accessing care in Portage la Prairie, Neepawa and surrounding communities are invited to complete the first survey to provide input on the design of each hospital:
- Portage la Prairie: https://engagemb.ca/portage-district-general-hospital.
- Neepawa: https://engagemb.ca/neepawa-health-centre.
Further details on the projects and additional opportunities for input will occur over the coming months with specific emphasis on connecting with local health-care workers, patients and their families to inform service delivery planning.
“Our government is committed to investing in the equipment, buildings, technology and health-care professionals that will improve outcomes and better support the needs of all Manitobans,” said Gordon.
Investing in new hospitals in these communities has been identified as part of Manitoba’s Clinical and Preventive Services Plan, Gordon added. Released in November 2019, the plan was developed and led by clinical leaders and health system experts from across the province. Detailed planning has looked at population growth and community health needs, distance to specialized 24-7 health services and the stability and reliability of the province’s health workforce.
For more information on Manitoba’s Clinical and Preventive Services Plan, visit: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/wp-content/uploads/Final_PCPSP_Final-Report_2019Nov-28.pdf.
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