MCHP Hosts Successful Rural Health Day

Many Canadians are proud to have health care that is accessible to every citizen in the country. Universality in this sense provides a piece of Canada’s identity. Manitoba is no different, but geographic location within the province can lead to some differences in the health of local populations and delivery of health care services. For this reason the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP) at the University of Manitoba, hosts its annual seminar and round-table discussion exclusive to non-Winnipeg regional health authorities (RHAs) across the province.The fifteenth annual Rural and Northern Healthcare Day was held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 at Fort Garry Place. There were 180 people at the day’s events, including representatives from all ten health authorities outside Winnipeg, as well as contingents from Manitoba Health & Healthy Living, the Manitoba Metis Federation and graduate students from the Western Regional Training Centre. Representatives from the Canadian Institute for Health Information were also present.

Jody Allan is the Manager of Planning and Evaluation for the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority. She’s attended the Rural Health Day since 2001.

“Every year we get better at looking at reports and discussing them,” Jody said. “There’s a greater awareness of the information and issues which opens the door for further discussion at the Regional Health Authority level. The whole day acts as a catalyst to make positive change.”

Presentations were given by MCHP research scientists covering topics like the cost of hospitalization, and physician integration. One of the highlights of the day was the keynote presentation by Dr. Marni Brownell who presented an update on the Child Health Atlas – a 318-page report exploring “significant disparities in child outcomes across socioeconomic status and region of residence” within the province of Manitoba.

Representatives from the provincial government can also use the information discussed at the seminar such as the data in the Child Health Atlas to create policy to improve the use of resources in various regions.

“I’ve been to every single Rural Day for 10 years,” said Lorraine Dacombe Dewar, Executive Director of the Accountability Support Branch at Manitoba Health & Healthy Living. “It’s a fabulous opportunity for myself and staff in the department to stay connected with people and issues in the various regions. The discussions make a difference in what the participants are able to address locally in their regions.”

For more information, contact:
Jack Rach
Communications Officer
Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Faculty of Medicine
Jack_Rach@cpe.umanitoba.ca
Phone: (204) 789-3669
Fax: (204) 789-3910