Media Release
WRHA introduces Walk-In Connected Care
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority today announced extended access to primary care services at a number of Access Centres and existing primary care sites in the region as part of the ongoing consolidation of health services in Winnipeg.
Beginning January 2, 2018, other than the McGregor Avenue location, the services currently offered at Quick Care Clinics (QCCs) will shift to Access Centres and other primary care clinics. Resources, including staffing and equipment, will be transferred to existing Access Centres including the St. Boniface, Nor’west and Fort Garry locations. These locations will join Access Winnipeg West in offering extended clinic hours to offer reliable access to Walk-In Connected Care (WICC) services. The McGregor Avenue QCC will remain open and continue offering services to the public.
“Access centres are equipped to provide a variety of complementary services that can improve health outcomes for patients and their families. But, these services need to be open and available at the times of day that patients need them,” said Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living. “Consolidating primary care at existing sites will ensure accessible, predictable and high-quality care is available to Winnipeggers both in the evening and on weekends.”
WICC services will ensure the care patients receive is connected back to their primary care provider as appropriate. Patients who do not have a primary care provider will be connected to the Family Doctor Finder program. In circumstances where patients require additional support, WICC staff will be more involved in securing a provider before the patient leaves the clinic.
“These changes will enhance access to timely primary care that complements the work of family doctors within the region,” said Gina Trinidad, chief operations officer for the WRHA. “While more than 80 per cent of Winnipeggers indicate they have a family doctor, more than half of them still rely upon episodic care – like Walk-In Connected Care – when their own doctor is unavailable.”
Access Centres are “one-stop locations” where community and provincial partners work with the WRHA to provide coordinated, accessible health and social services under one roof. Services available at each location range from family physicians to employment assistance to healthy-living workshops and home care services. The model benefits clients and families with multiple health concerns or complex care needs.
WICC services will be available in most areas of the city starting January 2018. Plans to introduce the model to the north east area of the city are underway and will align with the service changes at Concordia Hospital taking place later in 2018. To determine the hours of the nearest clinic, patients are encouraged to call ahead or visit myrightcare.ca. Staff at every Access Centre are also able to assist those seeking a family doctor using Family Doctor Finder.