542 words / 2 min read / For all members

Canada Post Strike Update

As of the time of sending out this week’s update, Canada Post workers could start to strike tomorrow, Friday, Nov 15. This has the potential to impact physician practices, including for patient information and reports sent via regular mail. Shared Health has recommended the health system, including medical clinics, to plan for the likely disruption. Dynacare has also recommended action to ensure test results aren’t delayed. 

Shared Health Updates

See this update issued yesterday by Shared Health discussing the shift to phone or email appointment confirmations or reminders. Monitor this Shared Health page for updates on how the strike may affect your practice.

Key points include:

• Clinics should transition to the use of telephone or email depending on the urgency and type of information to be shared/​gathered. Please refer to Shared Health’s guidelines for appropriate protection of personal health information.
• In certain areas, an increased use of couriers may occur. Please note: Confirmation letters for appointments after January 31, 2025 may be held for a period. Clinics/​programs are asked to revisit the distribution of these appointment letters every two weeks.
• Pre-appointment directions, clinic/​facility maps and other more urgent items may be sent by phone or email. If your clinic/​program has information or materials that you believe needs to be posted on a patient-focused website, please contact communications@​sharedhealthmb.​ca.

Dynacare Updates

Physicians who receive Dynacare test results exclusively by regular mail may experience a delay in receiving results. Dynacare is advising these physicians to take immediate action to convert to an alternate electronic delivery format. Physicians are being advised of the following result report electronic delivery options: 

1. Online
   1. Dynacare lab resulting systems – Dynacare has a web-based electronic resulting system which can be accessed by physician clients (provided the physician has registered to receive results electronically).
   2. eChart – Physicians that have access to eChart (majority of results are posted on echart). If results are not seen on eChart please contact Manitoba customer service. Customer care MB: 1−800−565−5721 ext 2.
2. Auto Faxing: If a physician does not have the ability to connect using the online options above, we do offer auto-faxing. Physicians that want to be set up for auto-faxing must call the laboratory to provide a validated fax number.

SCO Announces Support for Students

Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) announced 150 awards over the next five years for students pursuing post-secondary education in the health care field. SCO is partnering with the Business Council of Manitoba and the Province of Manitoba through the Indigenous Education Award program to provide $450,000 over five years to support students from SCO member Nations pursuing a career in health care.

Citizens from SCO member Nations can apply for the Indigenous Education Award through the Business Council of Manitoba website or submit a hard copy application by May 31, 2025. More information can be found on the Business Council of Manitoba website.

Participate in a study for equitable sexual health care

SURVEY REQUEST: A team of researchers from the University of Manitoba including Dr. Muhammad Naveed Noor, Professor Robert Lorway and Dr. Souradet Shaw is conducting a qualitative study about sexual healthcare for sexually diverse Muslim people (SDMP) living in Manitoba. This study seeks to examine multiple factors that work together to make it difficult for SDMP to access equitable sexual health care services, which further implicates their health outcomes. 

REQUEST FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: Part of the study includes obtaining information from health care providers in Manitoba, about their experience with SDMP in clinical settings, what they believe are common factors that may impede their access to sexual healthcare, and what potential actions they can think of are required in domains such as policy and practice, to improve access, equitability, and inclusiveness of sexual healthcare.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: General Practitioners and Physicians who specialize/​are involved in HIV/STI care.

OBJECTIVE: Find ways to improve sexual healthcare for queer Muslims in Manitoba, Canada.

TO PARTICIPATE: Reach out to Dr. Noor at Muhammad.​Noor@​umanitoba.​ca or Dr. Lorway at Robert.​Lorway@​umanitoba.​ca or fill out the form online here.