Manitoba Introduces Doctor to Triage Health Links Calls

The Manitoba government has announced a significant enhancement to its Health Links–Info Santé program by adding a doctor to monitor calls, aiming to alleviate pressure on emergency rooms. This initiative, confirmed in a news release on Thursday, is designed to reduce unnecessary referrals to emergency departments by providing additional support for callers seeking medical advice.

The Health Links–Info Santé program, which operates as a bilingual telephone service, offers assessment, triage, and health advice to Manitobans. Patients can contact the program to receive guidance on whether to visit their family physician, a walk-in clinic, or an emergency room. With the new addition, the program will now have a doctor available to speak with patients from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. A second clinician is anticipated to join the program by the end of December 2023, who will work overnight shifts.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara highlighted the importance of this addition, noting that many Manitobans have experienced long waits in emergency rooms after calling Health Links. By integrating a physician into the service, the government aims to streamline the triage process and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. On average, Health Links receives approximately 400 calls per day, with around 40 patients being referred to emergency departments daily. Since the doctor joined the service, there has been a notable shift: in the first ten days, 160 patients consulted with the physician, and only 10 were subsequently directed to emergency care.

New Bursary Program for Emergency Medical Responders

In a related development, the Manitoba government has introduced a new $5,000 bursary program aimed at emergency medical responder students. This initiative, announced on Wednesday, intends to encourage enrollment in training programs by providing financial assistance. Students awarded the bursary will be required to enter a one-year return-of-service agreement, committing them to work in rural Manitoba after their training.

Minister Asagwara stated that the bursary program is designed to attract trainees to rural municipalities, allowing them to gain practical experience in real-world emergency situations. By the fall of 2026, an estimated 50 to 60 students are expected to graduate, pass the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators exam, and become eligible for provincial emergency medical services.

Jason Linklater, President of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, emphasized the critical role of fully trained paramedics in responding to emergencies. He pointed out that emergency medical responders, while valuable, do not possess the same level of training as paramedics and may not be equipped to handle high-acuity situations such as cardiac arrests or severe trauma effectively.

The recent changes in Manitoba’s healthcare landscape reflect a broader commitment to improving patient outcomes and addressing the pressing challenges faced by the healthcare system. The addition of a doctor to Health Links and the introduction of the bursary program signify steps toward enhancing healthcare accessibility and effectiveness in the province.