Acute care services are offered at four community hospitals, two tertiary hospitals, and three long-term care centers in the Winnipeg area.
Community Hospitals:
- Concordia Hospital
- Grace General Hospital
- Seven Oaks General Hospital
- Victoria General Hospital
Tertiary or Teaching Hospitals:
- Health Sciences Centre
- St. Boniface General Hospital
Long-Term Care Centres:
- Deer Lodge Centre
- Misericordia Health Centre
- Riverview Health Centre
Health Sciences Centre (HSC) and St. Boniface General Hospital
- The two major acute care hospitals in Winnipeg are both recognized for their research work in the fields of pharmacology; immunology; cardiology; hematology and blood products; health care delivery studies; physiology; molecular and cellular biology; neurosciences; respiratory; diagnostics and gerontology.
- The Health Sciences Centre (HSC) is one of the largest health care facilities in Canada. It occupies 32 acres of land in central Winnipeg and is the major tertiary referral center in Manitoba for complex health problems requiring expert consultation.
- The Health Sciences Centre also serves as a major teaching and research facility affiliated with the University of Manitoba Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and School of Medical Rehabilitation.
- The St. Boniface General Hospital, founded by the Grey Nuns, was the first hospital in western Canada. The hospital’s mission focuses on the quality of care, staff education programs, and research for the improvement of patient care. St. Boniface General Hospital is affiliated with the University of Manitoba faculties of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and other health care disciplines.
General Health Services
Emergencies
Emergency services are available 24 hours a day in Winnipeg. Winnipeg provides fire and ambulance (called Emergency Response Services) and police services. In smaller rural communities surrounding Winnipeg, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provide police service. Volunteers often provide ambulance and fire department services in rural communities.
Manitoba Health Insurance
All permanent residents of Winnipeg receive Manitoba Health coverage. Many of these services are paid for by a publicly financed health care system. Call or visit Manitoba Health as soon permanent residency is esablished to receive a Manitoba Health Insurance Certificate (health card). New immigrants to Canada are eligible to receive health care benefits (except personal care homes, dental work, eyeglasses or medications) from the first day they arrive. If medical services are required before receiving a health card, proof of permanent resident status must be shown.
Medical Services
The cost of many medical services in Winnipeg, such as a visit to a doctor’s office, is covered by a publicly financed health care system. These services are available free of charge to all residents of Manitoba. However, some doctors charge extra fees for some services.
Doctors
The common types of medical services in Winnipeg are Health Links, family doctors (family physicians), walk-in clinics, community health centres, the urgent care centre, and hospital emergency care. People visit these services for different reasons.
If you are not sure whether to see a doctor or go to a walk-in clinic or the Emergency Department of a hospital, call Health Links at (204) 788-8200 withing the city or outside Winnipeg call 1-888-315-9257. You can call 24 hours a day. A Registered Nurse will answer your questions or tell you where to get service. You may have to leave a message, but someone will return your call.
Family physicians give medical check-ups and take care of non-emergency medical problems. A family doctor becomes familiar with your medical condition and has a chart of your medical history. Children can get regular vaccinations at their family physicians. Pregnant women can receive care during their pregnancy. You must make an appointment to see your family physicians. You may have to wait a few days, a week or a few weeks for the appointment. If you need immediate medical attention, you may be able to get an appointment the same day.
Manitoba Health at (204) 786-7111 has a list of family physicians that are accepting new patients. Doctors who are specialists may only accept new patients if they are referred by another doctor.
Sometimes you need to see a doctor immediately, outside of your doctor’s regular work hours. If your problem is urgent but not dangerous, call your doctor’s office. They may have “on-call” service. Another doctor may be available to take care of patients when your doctor is unavailable. If your doctor does not have this service, go to a walk-in clinic. Be sure to take your Manitoba Health (medical) card with you. You do not require an appointment at a walk-in clinic. If you have a problem that requires ongoing care, you should go back to your family doctor for your next appointment.
Go to the Emergency Department of your local hospital if a medical problem or injury is serious or life threatening. You can go at any time and do not need an appointment. The most serious problems are treated first so you may have to wait to see a doctor.
Dentists
The cost of dental care is not covered under Manitoba Health Insurance. Dental care is paid by the patient or privately purchased dental insurance. Some workplaces provide their employees with dental insurance coverage. Dentists are listed in the Yellow Pages under Dentists.
Eye Care
Eye care is only partially covered by Manitoba Health Insurance. People up to the age of 18 and over the age of 65 can receive a free eye examination from an optometrist every two years. If you are between 19 and 64, you have to pay for most eye care services. Manitoba Health Insurance only covers eye care that is necessary for certain medical problems. It covers an eye examination only if your prescription changes significantly.
Provincial Drug Program
The Provincial Drug Program is a government program that helps some Manitobans pay the cost of some prescription drugs. You must first pay a deductible, based on income, before you can be reimbursed for certain costs. As a resident of Manitoba, you can be reimbursed for the cost of any eligible prescription drugs that cost you more than the basic deductible amount you are allowed each year.