Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/4/2017 (1253 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Change can be difficult. Many of you know the changes I went through as my former community Plessis IGA grocery store was replaced by a new Sobeys store across the street.

It was emotionally challenging and difficult to accept that the new "corporate store" would better serve the needs of Transcona. While I may not have been the most enthusiastic supporter of the change, it’s now difficult to deny that the neighbourhood is better served by the newer store with its enhanced hours, larger selection and more jobs for the community.

Before last year’s Manitoba election, I was often asked, "What are you going to do to fix health care?" My answer was clear: we will respect the advice of experts on how to improve the system. The changes our government is making to improve Winnipeg’s health care system align with independent consultant Dr. David Peachey’s report, which was commissioned by the former NDP government.

What do these changes mean for Transcona?

Concordia Hospital will no longer have an emergency department, but it will be a leader in our city in specialty orthopedic care and orthopedic surgeries, as well as new beds for geriatric rehabilitation for our seniors.

As well, a new enhanced homecare services program will allow more than 1,200 patients to transition to the comfort of their own homes for recovery. The goal is to keep more seniors at their own homes with appropriate health-care support.

Our promise is to improve health care services for Transcona and for all Manitobans. Residents of Transcona with critical emergencies such as heart attacks have, for several years already, been directed or transferred to St. Boniface Hospital or Health Sciences Centre. Those hospitals have the staff and resources to handle such emergencies. Through our improvements, those emergency departments will provide even more focused and specialized care.

Those of us who have visited Winnipeg’s emergency departments know that many of the patients waiting would be well-served at an urgent care centre instead. By doubling the number of urgent care centres in Winnipeg, we will improve wait times.

Many other Canadian cities have fewer emergency departments per capita than Winnipeg, but have shorter wait times. More is not always better. Our current system isn’t delivering the quality of care that patients and their families deserve, so we have to act.

These changes to Winnipeg’s health care system will cause some disruption. Adjustments will need to be made. But the changes are necessary. We are improving patient care and creating a more sustainable health care system.

I appreciate your e-mails, phone calls and messages. Your concerns and opinions are very important, and I value each one in helping me work to build a better Transcona community and province for all Manitobans.

Further information is available at www.healingourhealthsystem.ca. Please continue to reach out to my office at 127 Regent Ave. West, call me at 204-615-0844 or e-mail at BlairMLA@blairyakimoski.ca