Healthcare news · Manitoba

Manitoba health policy

Funding, legislation and system changes from the province and Ottawa.

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Services & workforceManitobaWinnipeg (WRHA)

Winnipeg pharmacist fined for dispensing incorrect dosage of anti-psychotic medication

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba fined pharmacist Rumina Ishani $3,500 plus $5,000 in costs for professional misconduct. The disciplinary action follows an August 2025 incident where the pharmacist failed to verify a prescription, resulting in a patient receiving a 20mg dose of an anti-psychotic instead of the prescribed 2mg.

This case serves as a reminder to ensure rigorous verification of drug dosages and patient identification during the clinical review process.

Due tomorrowHealth policyManitoba

Autism advocates take to the legislature to make sure government keep its word on policy reversal

Dozens of autism advocates rallied outside the Manitoba Legislature on Saturday to hold the government to its reversal on Bill 232, the autism screening and supports bill, ahead of Tuesday's vote. The government had proposed amendments excluding adults after a 14-hour committee hearing, but Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine rolled them back Friday after public outcry, and now says it will support the bill in its original all-ages form. Rally speakers, including Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureux, who introduced the bill, said supports must continue across the lifespan, not just in childhood.

If Bill 232 passes in its original form on Tuesday, autistic adults in Manitoba keep access to screening, diagnosis and supports across their lifespan instead of losing them at 18 — a direct follow-up to the government's policy reversal.

News source: CBC News (opens in a new tab)

Due tomorrowHealth policyManitoba

Manitoba government drops plan to limit new autism strategy to children

Manitoba is dropping amendments that would have limited its new autism strategy to children, so the bill will pass in its original all-ages form, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced. The reversal followed public outcry, 70+ emails to her office and a 14-hour committee hearing, from adults and families who said supports like help staying employed and living independently should not end at 18. Fontaine also announced $5 million to expand children's autism services at St. Amant, $1.75 million for overnight respite care, and said community pediatricians can now submit autism diagnoses.

Autistic adults in Manitoba keep access to the strategy's supports, employment and independent-living help won't cut off at 18, and the St. Amant funding expands children's services and respite care.

News source: CBC News (opens in a new tab)

Public healthManitobaWinnipeg (WRHA)

2026 Flu & COVID-19 Immunization Clinics

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is hosting community clinics for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Residents can book appointments online or by phone, and walk-ins are welcome. Immunizations are also available through primary care providers, ACCESS Centres, and local pharmacies.

You can direct your patients to book their flu and COVID-19 shots online, by phone, or at local pharmacies and ACCESS Centres.

Official source: WRHA (opens in a new tab)

Public healthManitobaWinnipeg (WRHA)

Plasma donation company Grifols begins phased reopening of centres after 2-month hiatus

Grifols has begun a phased resumption of plasma collection at its 17 Canadian centres, starting with Winnipeg (Innovation Drive) and Edmonton, with fewer daily donor appointments that will grow over time. Collection was paused on Aug. 14 after Health Canada issued a non-compliance rating at its Winnipeg Taylor Avenue clinic, whose licence remains suspended. The pause followed CBC reporting that two people died after donating plasma at Winnipeg Grifols clinics in 2025 and 2026.

Winnipeg donors can book again, but the Taylor Avenue site stays closed until Health Canada is satisfied the company has fixed its compliance problems.

News source: CBC News (opens in a new tab)

Services & workforceManitobaSouthern Health-Santé Sud

New Pharmacy Marks Another Milestone in Boundary Trails Health Centre Expansion

The pharmacy team at Boundary Trails Health Centre is moving into a new, expanded space starting in October 2026. This two-phase transition includes a new chemotherapy compounding area designed to meet national regulatory standards, supporting increased service capacity for the Morden and Winkler region.

Pharmacy staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre will move into a new, expanded space with a chemotherapy compounding area starting in October 2026.

Services & workforceManitobaWinnipeg (WRHA)

Mental Health Supports on the Move

Shared Health has launched mobile crisis services for adults in Winnipeg facing mental health emergencies. This initiative provides support directly to individuals in their own environment, reducing the need for them to travel to hospitals or clinical settings for care.

Expect fewer mental health patients arriving at hospitals as mobile teams now provide care directly in the community.

Official source: Shared Health (opens in a new tab)

Tech & trendsManitobaWinnipeg (WRHA)

Could AI help reduce Manitoba's surgical wait times?

Dr. Jay Toor, an orthopedic surgeon at Concordia Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, is leading a Research Manitoba-funded initiative to use AI and large language models, a system called ORION, to cut surgical wait times at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre. Over 1,300 Manitobans face a median wait of 170 days for orthopedic surgery. In year one the team will test ORION against 10 years of HSC data, then trial it live in year two, predicting 5-8% more surgical capacity, 10-15% shorter waits, and $2-4 million a year in savings.

A Manitoba-made AI tool aims to shorten the 170-day median wait for orthopedic surgery, a number frontline staff see in their clinics every day.

News source: UMToday (opens in a new tab)

Services & workforceManitobaNorthern Health Region

Ikiskawasoot – She Carries Life

The Northern Health Region has launched Indigenous Birth Helper Services at Thompson General Hospital. Part of the Ikiskawasoot initiative, these helpers provide cultural, spiritual, and physical support to families throughout the birthing process. The program aims to ensure families feel connected to their traditions and community while receiving care.

You can now connect families at Thompson General Hospital with Indigenous Birth Helpers for cultural and spiritual support during their birthing process.

Services & workforceManitobaPrairie Mountain Health

Dauphin Regional Health Centre: Building Back Better

Following flood damage on July 1, 2026, the Dauphin Regional Health Centre remains under restoration. Emergency and inpatient services were relocated to Ste. Rose and Grandview, with temporary lab and treatment clinics established. Provincial authorities and health organizations continue efforts to restore full clinical operations at the facility.

Emergency and inpatient services are currently relocated to Ste. Rose and Grandview while restoration work continues at the Dauphin facility.