Province Announces Request for Proposals for New St. Vital Primary Care Access Clinic

October 15, 2015

New Centre Next Step in Efforts to Build Stronger, More Accessible Primary Care System for South Winnipeg Families: Minister Blady

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) to lease approximately 19,000 square feet of space to develop the St. Vital Primary Care ACCESS clinic, Health Minister Sharon Blady announced today.

“As part of our commitment to Manitobans, I’m pleased to see this project move forward,” said Minister Blady.  “The services planned for this new clinic will be tailored to the needs of area residents, making it convenient for people to receive care close to home.”

The minister added that along with existing family physicians who provide quality care, close to home for the community, this clinic will help build a more robust, co-ordinated and accessible primary care system.

The RFP will be issued by the WRHA, which will manage the project.  The minister said that although the plan may change to accommodate future needs, services to be provided at this time include:

• primary care services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure;
• community mental health including crisis intervention, prevention, and rehabilitation; and
• public health including maternal child health, immunizations and healthy schools programs.

Youville Health Centre offers a wide range of services focused on healthy living including health care, wellness education, counselling and other supports in the St. Vital area.  It will be located with the new WRHA clinic to better co-ordinate the primary health care needs of the community, Minister Blady said.

“Primary care continues to be a strategic focus for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority,” said Real Cloutier, vice-president and chief operating officer, WRHA.  “We look forward to partnering with Youville Health Centre to enhance community based primary health services in the St. Vital area.”

The minister noted this new primary care ACCESS clinic will support the province’s commitment to ensure any Manitoban who wants one has access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Other recent investments to support this commitment include funding for new health-care professionals at doctors’ offices, construction of new primary care clinics across the province, the Family Doctor Finder program and the launch of 14 My Health Teams, the minister said.  She added the St. Vital Primary Care ACCESS Clinic Centre will be part of My Health Teams in Winnipeg.

For more information on primary care in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/primarycare/public/index.html.

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