Concern grows over lack of 24/7 ER access in rural Manitoba

CARMAN — Global News tracked down every hospital and health centre in southern and central rural Manitoba that provides 24/7/365 emergency room access.

On paper, all hospitals listed provide around-the-clock access. In practice, many are handcuffed by their staffing constraints. Several Carman residents reported to Global News that their town of 3,000 people had experienced a cutback in ER coverage. The town is far from the

READ MORE: Where can you get ER access 24/7 in rural Manitoba?

“Three times, we had to make the ride to Winnipeg and say ‘bite the bullet’ and avoid rural areas because there are no doctors to look after us here,” said Ashley Cartman, a resident of Carman.

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Diane Findlay, another resident said she recently had to drive to Boundary Health Centre in Winkler, approximately 35 km  away, while experiencing a stomach ulcer. She said while travelling longer distances for services is a reality of living in rural communities, she has concerns should residents encounter a life or death situation.

Dr. Denis Fortier has been a doctor in rural Manitoba for nearly 30 years and is Vice President of Medical Services of Southern Health. Fortier said medical centres are creating training opportunities for young doctors out of the city. But to convince them to stay, he said towns have to play a part as well.

“Those are considered soft things but they work. They work better than throwing money at it or flooding the system with people.”

Fortier added that in speaking to many young doctors, they wish not to make more money but to feel that they are contributing to their community.