Health Systems Updates — Week ending April 25
Share Your Feedback with CancerCare
CancerCare Manitoba’s CervixCheck program is working to transition from primary Pap testing to primary HPV testing for cervical cancer screening. As part of the transition, CCMB is considering providing direct referral to colposcopy for patients. This process might be similar to approaches used by BreastCheck or ColonCheck, whereby patients go directly from test results to follow-up care. They would not need to see their primary care provider or wait for a referral from primary care.
The potential benefits of direct referral include:
Shorter wait times for patients
Equitable delivery of follow-up care
Ability to select colposcopists based on colposcopy wait times and/or based on the patient’s geography or personal preference
Less administrative work for primary care providers
Standard screening guidelines for all Manitobans
The potential disadvantages include reduced opportunity for patients to discuss concerns or questions with their primary care provider
CancerCare would like your feedback on whether and how direct referral to colposcopy could be implemented in Manitoba. Take the survey here.
Dr. Hajidiacos Appointed
Dr. Nick Hajidiacos has been appointed department head of internal medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, and provincial medical specialty lead – internal medicine, Shared Health, effective May 1, 2025, for a five-year term.
ABOUT DR. HAJIDIACOS: He has served as interim department head of internal medicine and provincial specialty lead – internal medicine since July 2024. For the past 16 years, Dr. Hajidiacos has been the director of quality improvement and service design at the department of internal medicine, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
Project ECHO Sessions Ahead
📅 An ECHO session on ADHD and Autism in Adults is set to begin May 16th for a 4‑week program occurring every other week (May 16 and 30; June 13 and 27) Sessions are held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHAT’S COVERED: The sessions provide education centered towards primary care providers.
ADHD:
Identification and Diagnosis
Monitoring and Treatment
Autism:
Presentation and Management
Neurodevelopmental Conditions:
Current Trends and Additional
Considerations
OF NOTE: Dr. Antonio Paletta and Dr. Erin Johns will speak on ADHD, and Dr. Robin Westmacott on Autism.ECHO Mental Health and Addictions Manitoba has been accredited by RCSPC, and this activity has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Manitoba Chapter for up to 8 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits.
FREE REGISTRATION: Space is limited, the deadline to register is midnight on May 12.
Measles Update
Public health officials with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care are notifying the public of two new confirmed cases of measles in the Southern Health-Santé Sud.
The individuals both attended Southwood School in the Garden Valley School Division during the infectious period.
Public health is communicating directly with the school to notify staff, volunteers and families of students who attend the school and/or who ride the school bus, to provide advice specific to their exposure, including monitoring symptoms until May 7.
Public Health has also issued a notice to health care providers including advice on facility management, laboratory testing and reporting.