Building health care for one Manitoba

Notre Dame

Access to health care is one of the top concerns I hear about from Manitobans every single day. Families want to know they’ll be able to see a doctor, get care quickly when they need it, and trust that the health system is there for them in moments of uncertainty. That is why our government has made health care one of our top priorities — and why we are taking real, practical steps to strengthen care across the province.

One of the most important steps we’ve taken is making health care easier to access. Through Medinav, Manitobans can now book same-day and next-day appointments online at dozens of participating clinics. Whether it’s a walk-in connected care clinic, a minor injury and illness clinic, or one of the extended-hours primary care clinics, Medinav gives families the ability to find care faster and closer to home. It’s a tool that is helping reduce wait times while keeping emergency and urgent care services available for the people who need them most.

We’ve also opened new extended-hours clinics to provide same-day care when your regular provider isn’t available. In Winnipeg, this includes the Misericordia Minor Injury and Illness Clinic (7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily) and the Minor Treatment Clinic at Health Sciences Centre, along with primary care at Grace, Concordia, and Victoria Hospitals. More clinics are on the way, ensuring families can get care evenings, weekends, and holidays when they need it most.

But opening clinics alone is not enough. We know that people are the heart of the health care system. That is why we are continuing to build our system with the addition of 3,397 net new health care workers, including 285 doctors and more than 1,100 nurses. These professionals are making a difference every day — and giving Manitobans the peace of mind that help will be there when it’s needed.

To support this, our government has also expanded the Nurse Re-Entry Program. This program helps nurses who have stepped away from practice, or internationally educated nurses looking to work here, update their training and return to the profession more quickly. By streamlining licensing requirements and increasing training supports, we are ensuring experienced nurses can get back to the bedside where they are most needed.

Health care challenges won’t be solved overnight, but our government is committed to listening, investing, and building solutions that work. With new clinics, innovative tools like Medinav, and thousands of new health care workers, we are taking meaningful steps to build a healthier Manitoba for everyone.