334 words / 1.5 min read 

Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Randy Guzman and DRMB staff met physicians and health system leaders in Steinbach and surrounding areas last week to learn about what is working well and what help they need.

WHY IT MATTERS: Physician shortages are straining health care access, especially in rural and northern communities, leaving patients with less access to care and putting immense pressure on doctors, nurses and health care workers in all communities. The challenges in Steinbach and other communities in Southern Health-Santé Sud reflect what’s unfolding across the province, threatening patient outcomes and physician well-being.

WHAT WE SAW: After meeting dozens of physicians from Steinbach, St. Anne, Niverville, and St-Pierre-Jolys, we saw how the shortage of doctors is affecting these communities firsthand, including:

• Challenges maintaining some services at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, including pressure to keep the ER open.

• St-Pierre-Jolys has challenges staffing multiple services with limited physician resources.

• Ste. Anne Hospital is needing additional support for in-patient services.

• Niverville identified the need for intensified efforts on recruitment and retention

• Utilization of FM+ is allowing physicians to provide more comprehensive care to their patients.

These communities could use 20 – 30 more physicians tomorrow, and likely many more.

Dr. Guzman’s Take: ​“Each community, area of practice, and physician has different needs and perspectives,” Dr. Guzman stressed, ​“so it’s important that Doctors Manitoba connects with them to see the challenges being faced, to help collaborate on solutions specific to the needs we have identified.”

PUBLIC ADVISORY: In December, President-Elect Dr. Nichelle Desilets warned the public about ER closures and service disruptions. As summer approaches, this will become a serious issue again.