To Our Health TOGETHER LEADING THE WAY FOR A HEALTHIER TOMORROW.

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1 To Our Health TOGETHER LEADING THE WAY FOR A HEALTHIER TOMORROW. Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Spring 2013 What s Inside this Issue Meet the Southern Health Santé Sud Board of Directors page 2 French language services improve health outcomes page 13 Mental health a priority for page 15 Let us introduce you to Southern Health-Santé Sud a vibrant community The health authority unites the former South Eastman and Central Manitoba Inc. Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), but it s about much more than its bricks and mortar facilities, its many programs and its caring health professionals. also brings together a vibrant collage of rich cultures and talented people with histories that run as deep and proud as the flowing waters of the Red River that joins them. The physical characteristics of the are impressive. It covers over 27,000 square kilometers that span 29 rural municipalities and 1 unorganized territory and is home to 4 cities (Morden, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie and Winkler), 12 towns, 5 villages and numerous communities. a diverse population But more impressive is that over 183,000 people make up the population of this diverse region. There are seven First Nations communities and over sixty-six Hutterite colonies throughout the area. Aboriginal people in the region represent 10% of the overall population, and are relatively young in comparison. Approximately 70% of rural French-speaking Manitobans live in the region representing nearly 11% of its population. There is also a large and growing population of Mennonite, Germanspeaking, Ukrainian and other cultures. The average car radio in the region is probably tuned to a golden-oldie station, as baby-boomers (aged 55 to 64 years old) make up the fastest growing age group, but all age groups within the region are growing at a faster rate than the provincial average. Over the past decade, Southern Health-Santé Sud has grown by 19% and has accounted for almost a quarter of the provincial population growth. a good place to live The region is a great place to live, which is probably why the Southern Health- Santé Sud is the most populated RHA outside of the City of Winnipeg and, according to data from community health assessments done in 2009, life expectancy rates and premature mortality rates were better than those in other areas of the province based on a number of health status indicators. That s not to say that there aren t health challenges and some disparities within the region. But as its 5,600 employees across the region work together to share ideas and programs, engage people and communities and encourage everyone in the region to get active about his or her own health, perhaps the Southern Health-Santé Sud will one day also be known as the healthiest in Manitoba.

2 2 Spring Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Spring Armande Leclair Denise Harder Roy Enns Line Leclerc Guy Gagnon Don Kuhl Board of Directors Appointed by the Minister of Health, the Board of Directors is responsible for implementing and establishing a sustainable, integrated regional system of health services by providing leadership in addressing the health needs of the population. Ron Tardiff Susan Hart-Kulbaba Leo Van Den Bussche Governing with Principles The Board of Directors of any organization is accountable for its operation and activities, and it must decide in what way it wants to govern. Southern Health-Santé Sud has chosen to operate under a policy governance model. Policy governance is based on a set of principles that provide a framework for the Board of Directors to perform its duties and govern the whole organization. A policy governance Board pro-actively drives the organization through policies that it identifies and develops. These define the organization s Vision, Mission and Values, and establish boundaries for acceptable practices in the organization. This in turn lays the foundation for the CEO and senior leadership team to develop the programs and activities which will meet those goals. There may be some new faces at the table, but the job for the fifteen members of the Board of Directors of Southern Health- Santé Sud remains unchanged. An integral part of what we do is to set the direction and focus for the region, says Denise Harder, Board Chair. The Board sets the flight path for the organization, adds Kathy McPhail, CEO for. They build the tone and the organizational culture, she says. The first priority for the Board, says Harder, was to develop a vision, mission and values for the expanded region, which meant first figuring out what was important for this new Board entity. The more time we spent together, the more we realized that we are all here for the same reasons. We all have very similar values. Which meant that the Board had a good foundation to build on and has rolled up its sleeves and quickly got down to business, says Guy Levesque, Southern Health-Santé Sud Vice-Chair. We have accomplished much already, he says. We have our mission and vision developed, we have a new logo/identity and we have started reviewing our policies and have already adopted several. The new Board includes some seasoned veterans and some new folks, so education has been a vital component of every Board meeting and many have attended workshops organized by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and others. The J. Guy Levesque Board has done a lot self education, with some internal facilitation by members of the senior leadership team, but they have spent a tremendous amount of time learning about policy governance and the system s operations on a larger scale, says McPhail. Harder says bringing together the two boards of the former South-Eastman and Central Regional Health Authorities into one is like bringing two families together and it s a gratifying process. We have spent a lot of time learning about our region and each other and building relationships, gaining and earning trust with each other, she says. It s been wonderful to see those relationships forming and to work with people who are all passionate about the health of our communities. Both Harder and Leveque are convinced that the expanded RHA offers more opportunities to share programs, services and skills to the benefit of everyone in the region. Going forward, we are going to be able to blur some of the lines and improve services, says Harder. The way I look at, it we have more options than before, says Levesque, who was Chair of the former South Eastman region. We can t afford to have specialities everywhere but maybe different facilities will specialize in certain fields and that will mean that our residents will be able to stay within the region for those specialized services. One of the primary responsibilities of the Board is community engagement. Jean A. Balcaen Paul Cenerini New Board Same Mandate With such a large and diverse region, the Board needs to understand and be in-touch with the community. It is an important accountability tool for the Board. Board ENDs have been developed that outline the strategies and actions that form a strategic health plan for and which are underpinned by the values that guide the organization. But it will take time for people to fully understand the new and realize that its Board, its senior leadership team and its 5,600 employees are all committed to those values, vision and Board ENDs. When we say that integrity, compassion, excellence and respect are our values, we hope that, through their experiences, people are going to realize that we really mean what we are saying, says Levesque. Guy Gagnon has had some of that experience. Gagnon can speak from both sides of the fence as a rural Manitoban who has recently seen a close family member accessing health services for a serious illness, and as a new appointee to the Board of the region. I am convinced and have seen much evidence in the relatively short time I have been a board member that challenges and health issues in will be dealt with in a timely manner and, more importantly, health care will continue to be delivered successfully and efficiently to those in our communities who are most in need, he says. Donna Harasymec Daren Van Den Bussche Cheryl McKitrick Mark Your Calendars The Southern Health- Santé Sud Board of Directors would like to invite you to its Annual Public Meeting to be held on October 2, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Sanford Collegiate. Everyone Welcome has 12 Telehealth sites. has 3 regional hospitals: Bethesda (Steinbach), Boundary Trails (Morden/ Winkler), & Portage la Prairie. Long time Portage la Prairie resident, DENISE HARDER, is the Southern Health-Santé Sud Board Chair. She served on the former RHA Central Board for five years, two of those as Board Chair. As we honor the achievements of the two former RHAs reflected in the incredible depth and breadth of our programs and services, we agree that we are not turning away from the former We are turning toward the new. We are grateful for the diversity of the people who live in Southern Health- Santé Sud and so we commit ourselves to represent all of them. Having been employed in the insurance business for nearly four decades, JEAN A. BALCAEN has worked the last 30 years as a Regional Sales Director for a large International insurance company. A very active community member, Jean has contributed on a number of boards in the education, recreational and health services field. Jean and his wife Maria have two daughters and grandchildren. PAUL CENERINI is an educator from the Mountain-Pembina Hills region, where he was born and has resided all of his life. He has served on a number of teacher associations and various French cultural and education committees. Since his retirement in 2001, he has been involved as a volunteer with the renewal of the health infrastructure in his community. He is married to Yvonne and together they have two daughters and a son. Having served in multiple rural locations across Southern Manitoba, ROY ENNS has been employed by the Royal Bank for more than 35 years. He is married to Carol and together they have four married children and four granddaughters. Outside interests include involvement on the Corporation Board of Providence University College, local business associations and the local church. Personal hobbies include camping, biking, gardening and snowmobiling. J. GUY LEVESQUE, Vice-Chair has always been keenly involved on local and provincial committees including the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (president), Land Value Appraisal Commission (currently serving), Town of Ste. Anne C.A.O. (+26 years), Council for the Town of Ste. Anne, Ste. Anne Curling Board, Ste. Anne Arena Board as well as any more boards and committees. The youngest of eight children, Guy enjoys retirement with his grandkids. Having served as a high school teacher for 34 years, GUY GAGNON is currently retired. Guy and his wife Suzanne own a Bed & Breakfast in Ste. Agathe. They have two married sons and grandchildren. Guy has always been actively involved in the francophone community having served on numerous local and provincial boards. He is currently a member of the provincial Board of Directors of the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues (CDEM) and the Manitoba representative of RDÉE Canada (Réseau de développement économique et d employabilité). Owner & Chief Operating Officer of DH Privacy Consulting, DONNA HARASYMEC is a certified Master Access & Privacy Professional (MAPP), and the Manitoba representative for the Canadian Association of Professional Access & Privacy Administrators. Donna maintains certifications as ABCP (Associate Business Continuity Planner) with the Disaster Recovery Institute of Canada. SUSAN HART-KULBABA has worked for 30 years with unions including three terms as President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. She was named YWCA Woman of the Year in 1990 and received the Caesar Chaves Order of the Black Eagle in Her past community activities include Vice-Chair of the Arts Council, and Chair of the Occupational Health Centre, the Apprenticeship Board and Liquor Licensing Board. Susan is married with three children. Having served on several agricultural organizations over the years, DON KUHL is currently a retired farmer. Don also spent two terms on the Garden Valley School Division Board, and fifteen years on Winkler Council. He is a member of the Winkler Lions Club and presently serves on the South Central Cancer Resource Board. Married to Liz, together they have three married daughters and grandchildren. They enjoy supporting and following their grandchildren in activities such as sports, music, dance and drama. Don took up the game of golf in his later years and is also an avid reader. Having worked 30 years in education, ARMANDE LECLAIR is a retired teacher/school administrator. Keeping bilingual roots and health care close to her heart, Armande has been a member of the Table de concertation régionale du Centre for numerous years, as well as member of Santé Montcalm Healthy Community. She serves on the Board of Musée St- Joseph Museum Inc. and is involved in her local church community. Since retiring from her teaching career, LINE LECLERC continues to be actively involved in early years programs. She has always enjoyed serving her community by participating on committees and boards. Line brings a passion for healthy communities, for children and their families. In her spare time, she likes to travel, garden, and read but mostly to spend time with her husband, four children and their families. Retired after 33 years as a general duty Registered Nurse, CHERYL MCKITRICK is now a Port Medic for Insurance Companies. She was Board Chair of the Genesis House for six years, and enjoys contributing on boards. Cheryl has a passion for people and their well being, having recently completed a year as District Governor for her Lions district which is a part of the Lions International Organization. Cheryl has been involved in many organizations and has had the opportunity to serve on many boards. Together with her husband Bill, they have three grown children and one grandson. RON TARDIFF is the the Broker/Owner of Trinkl Realty a small boutique real estate company committed to personalized service. His past board experience includes two terms as a director of the Winnipeg Realtors Association, past president of the Manitoba Real Estate Association, and 12 years in local municipal politics. DAREN VAN DEN BUSSCHE is a career Fire Fighter for the City of Portage la Prairie. He has served as the past President of the Portage and District Labour Council and past VP for the Manitoba Federation of Labour. He currently also sits on the Portage Adult Learning and Literacy Centre Board. Daren and his wife have two married adult sons and grandchildren. LEO VAN DEN BUSSCHE is a Public Relation Representative with American Income Life Insurance Company and has served on numerous boards in the past. Leo and his wife have two daughters. has a total of 1152 personal care home beds.

3 At the Helm LEARDERSHIP TEAM WORDS THAT MATTER Kathy McPhail Kathy McPhail stands at the helm of a very large ship. As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of, she negotiates a few larger waves but keeps a steady rudder as the former Central and South Eastman Regional Health Authorities learn how to sail together. Kathy McPhail is a CEO, administrator and leader. But if you ask the people who work with her, they will tell you that she is also a motivator, collaborator, relationshipbuilder and steward, who is taking a systematic approach to building a new regional health authority that is responsive to the needs of the more than 183,000 people living within its expanded borders. McPhail and the senior leadership team she has selected bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that is essential to support the Board of Directors of in its role, says Board Chair, Denise Harder. Kathy and members of the leadership team attend our meetings and they have their fingers provide immediate answers to most any questions that we have. Priorities were quick to rise to the surface like planning the structure and framework for the new organization, working with the Board of Directors to map its direction and putting a senior leadership team in place. But as far as her personal goals are concerned, says McPhail, nothing has really changed. My goals have always been to be connected to our communities and staff, to be innovative in service planning and delivery and, above all, to deliver quality health care to the citizens of the region with the resources that we have. I don t think that has changed, she says. Some things have changed. Southern Heath-Santé Sud has a vast geography, a larger and more diverse population, and a greater expanse of programs and resources. Having said that, some familiar challenges remain even under a new name and regional identity. In the context of a very large region, we need a broad vision of health going beyond the bricks and mortar and ask how we provide access for the less privileged in society with programs and services such as primary health care, healthy living, and cancer care etc... We all know that we are going through tough economic times and we have to be very good stewards of the resources that we have, says McPhail. We have an obligation to future generations to make sure that our precious health care services remain viable and sustainable. We need the courage to make the right decisions and, in any new developments, to make sure we can sustain and support them. Part of my task is to work with our various organizational leads to try and meet the region s needs by being more creative and efficient within current resources to sustain, re-shape or enhance programs. And most importantly, we need to work with our funding partners at all stages of planning. Kathy McPhail, CEO, We were two regions with great strengths, so there are many strong processes and commitments to build on and help us move forward to achieve our goals, adds McPhail. She uses the word we and ours consciously, realizing that the strength of Southern Health-Santé Sud lies in its relationships and in building a sense of ownership amongst its staff, its communities and its residents. Our vision, Together leading the way for a healthier tomorrow is very purposeful in signalling that the business of health care is a shared responsibility with everyone. Anyone following in McPhail s footsteps over the last year would have covered many miles, meeting with a new board, visiting communities and groups across the region, becoming familiar with new faces and facilities and listening to suggestions and concerns. It has been really important to try and put a structure in place for the organization, to frame and shape it and give it direction. It s through relationships that all of that is achieved, says McPhail. I believe it s important to be present, whether that s via phone or or, as I personally prefer, face to face at a table, to build relationships and show my commitment to this organization and the people of the region. McPhail s commitment is very much in evidence, says Harder, and is mirrored by the senior leadership team she has assembled. Kathy brings a passion and a commitment that we as a Board are always in awe of, she says. Relationships are vitally important because that s where you build trust and confidence. I think as more and more people in the organization and the region s communities have come to know Kathy and the leadership team, they have become more and more comfortable. Being CEO of Southern Health-Santé Sud is a trust and a privilege, says McPhail and one that she takes very seriously. I see this role as a true privilege and with that comes lots of responsibility this responsibility is to the organization and the citizens of the region and, as well, to the larger citizenship of Manitoba, says McPhail. But I also know it s a responsibility that many others are keen to share and, as our vision indicates, together leading the way. Chief Executive Officer, Kathy McPhail VP Medical, Associate VP Medical, Dr. Denis Fortier VP Human Resources, Jim Hunter VP Planning/Innovation, Quality, Safety & Risk, Jane Curtis VP Finance & Capital, Ken Klassen VP Clinical Standards & Chief Nursing Officer, Jan Gunness VP Corporate, Martin Montanti Medical Officers of Health, Dr. Shelley Buchan Dr. Anna Johnston Communications/FLS Administrator, Claudette Lahaie Executive Director-North, Marianne Woods Executive Director-East, Deb Taillefer Executive Director-West, Paulette Goossen Executive Director-Mid, Cheryl Harrison Community Engagement Some residents, community groups and staff of recently took part in consultations at various locations around the region with representatives from Manitoba Health to help develop a model for ongoing and meaningful community consultation across the region. A common theme around those tables was that, with a much larger geography, people wanted to make sure their voices would continue to be heard, says Kathy McPhail, CEO of. Community consultation approaches vary in each of the former RHAs and are part of what is being examined by the provincial process but the importance of maintaining strong connections with the community of the region is shared by all. My approach has always been to work with local stakeholders, says McPhail. Often community groups have formed and are doing great work in the community. My intention would be to continue to communicate with stakeholders in communities across the region and I feel that any new consultative model will probably enhance that. VALUES Integrity Compassion Excellence Respect V ISION Integrity Compassion E xcellence R espect Together leading the way for a healthier tomorrow. MISSION To support people and communities in achieving optimal health by providing innovative, sustainable and quality health services. Four Board ENDs and corresponding Strategic Priorities provide the planning structure and framework for : Healthy people and healthy environment STRATE G IC PRIORITIES: Promote wellness initiatives People supported to take responsibility for their own health and well-being People supported throughout their health journey. Accessible health services STRATE G IC PRIORITIES: Access to appropriate care in appropriate settings population are addressed Safe, people-centred, quality health care STRATE G IC PRIORITIES: Safe health care Quality innovative health care People-centred health care Sustainable, accountable and responsive health organization STRATE G IC PRIORITIES: Skilled, healthy and safe workforce Responsive and innovative organization Sustainable and accountable organization Communities are engaged These are not just words; they are the core values that the Board of Directors, senior leadership team and the 5,600 employees of are guided compass that guide the organization, they set the culture and the tone, says Kathy McPhail, CEO of Southern Health-Santé here to serve the region with excellence and be compassionate in our every day work, which we do with integrity and respect. Making these values come alive, says Deb Taillefer, Executive Director East for, is about embedding them into all elements of the services, programs and daily care that the RHA provides to the region, and that involves everyone from management and governance to every employee across the system. How we do business at the Board table and at the staff table is going to have a direct impact on how we provide health care services to the citizens who come to our many doors, says Taillefer. My personal values in regards to having a sound and efficient healthcare system are also the values of Southern Health-Santé Sud, says Guy Gagnon, a recent appointee to its Board of Directors. what I, as a Manitoban, have come to expect from my RHA. From his own experiences in accessing health care services, Gagnon says that it s obvious that the staff of Southern Health- Santé Sud care deeply about their work. I have seen a team that adheres to a moral, ethical and professional code of conduct that can be trusted and relied upon because of their integrity, knowledge and expertise, he says. In her work, Stephanie Verhoeven, Regional Director of Public Health Healthy Living sees much disparity in the health status of people that live within the region and believes respect is something that helps to equalize some of those disparities. It s vital that we are meeting people where they are at in their lives and respect the diversity of the people who live in our region, she says. Bringing that into our approach, into how we set up programs and how we plan our services, to think about how we can make things more fair for all the people in our region and be inclusive of everyone regardless of age, culture, living conditions, gender or sexual orientation is really important. Compassion begins with focusing care around the needs of the client, says Taillefer. Every single day we challenge ourselves to ensure that the decisions we are making are really about the people that we are providing the services to, and also the people who are providing the services, she says. Best practices in health care are a good example of excellence in action, says Paul Enns, Director of Health for Boundary Trails Health Centre located between Morden and Winkler. Best practices are about competence and are are research-based and mean that we are looking at the best models to deliver the best possible service that we can based on what has proven effective elsewhere. Something that falls into the excellence category is innovation, says Taillefer. Some of the innovative things like reaching out to citizens to provide health focused services, as opposed to illness focused ones, are a departure from how we have done things in the past. is on the cusp of innovation and excellence in helping our citizens and communities understand new ways to keep themselves healthy. Values need to resound loudly to reach across the vast region that is now Southern Health-Santé Sud, and it s the smaller, defining words behind the core values that amplify those larger words and make as caring, empathy, honesty, the golden rule, inclusiveness, diversity, competency, commitment and trust that are all a part of the core values, says McPhail. I see these words exemplified every day in the people who deliver bedside care, in the physicians, nurses, dietary aides, health care aides, maintenance people, it doesn t matter what their role is, and they constantly strive to serve with integrity, compassion, excellence and respect. by the Board of Directors in September, 2012 and consists of a symbol and the words Southern Health Santé Sud. organization s bilingual signature. It succinctly identifies as the organization and helps shape the corporate image. C olours/ M eaning of L ogo of service, trust and integrity. It also suggests water and sky (reaching out). Red is the color of energy, vitality and life-force and also signifies the Red River. the most prominent letter within Red River, a meeting ground between the two former regions, echoing a spirit of coming water which has a universal life giving role in most cultures and the contiguous shapes demonstrate energy and forward movement. human element reaching out and embracing a growing community evoking the compassionate nature of our service. serves 183,632 residents.

4 6 Spring Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Spring Providing Patient-First Care To download the report Empathy, Dignity and Respect: Creating cultural safety for Aboriginal people in urban health care or to see the video visit healthcouncilcanada.ca/ pub/urban-aboriginalhealth patients requiring an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan now have more flexibility in booking their appointment at the Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC) thanks to extended service hours. There has been a very positive patient response to the extended evening and weekend hours, said Chris Murray, Diagnostic Manitoba (DSM) Senior MRI Technologist. In addition to providing convenience and flexibility, the department can now see more MRI patients each week. DSM has listened to community residents and answered to the need for extended MRI service to meet the busy schedules of patients who have found it difficult to make MRI appointments during the regular week day. Initially, the MRI Department was staffed with two technologists providing weekday appointments. DSM has gradually improved access to the service since 2010 with the staffing of two additional technologists and clerical support. Patient appointments are now available weekdays from 7:30 AM-10:00 PM and from 8:30 AM-4:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. The extended hours have increased patient appointments by 44%. We are extremely pleased to partner with DSM to be able to offer Southern Health-Santé Sud residents improved access to diagnostic imaging services, said Kathy McPhail, Chief Executive Officer. These results are a testimony to the highly dedicated team at Boundary Trails Health Centre, DSM and Manitoba Health who have demonstrated their commitment to improving patient experiences and patient volume capacity. Since first introducing MRI service to the region in 2007, Boundary Trails Radiologists have been key in the continuous improvement of the service. The MRI unit recently received equipment that can now image the forefoot and ankle together in a single scan and also provides improved image data of the minute anatomy of the wrist which will help Radiologists to make diagnoses on everything from sprains, to breaks to tumors. DSM s Boundary Trails imaging team is going above and beyond to offer exemplary service and ensure a patientfirst environment. MRI Technologist Julia Stoesz was recently recognized with a patient safety champion award from the region. Boundary Trails Health Centre laboratory and imaging services, and Diagnostic Manitoba Extends MRI Hours at Boundary Trails Health Centre all lab and imaging services within are part of DSM s provincial diagnostic network. DSM was created in 2002 as the not-forprofit corporation responsible for all of Manitoba s public laboratory services and for rural diagnostic imaging services. With more than 70 sites located across Manitoba, DSM is proud to be the province s leading provider of public laboratory and rural diagnostic imaging services. For more information about Diagnostic Service Manitoba visit dsmanitoba.ca. has a budget of $331.5 million. Doretta Harris, Regional Director Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Health Receive National Recognition An innovative program which delivers health services to Aboriginal people in the region has received national recognition from the Health Council of Canada and is featured in a report and video on its website. Aboriginal Health is centred out of the Portage la Prairie District General Hospital and is one of the first in rural Manitoba. The program provides health care services which are sensitive to the cultural needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. The national recognition that the Aboriginal Health program has been given is so deserved, says Kathy McPhail, CEO of Southern Health-Santé Sud. I am very proud of this collaborative program, which grew out of a grassroots need that was identified by the community. Doretta Harris is the Regional Director of Aboriginal Health with and she was invited to share details about the program at one of the cross-canada meetings held by the Health Council of Canada last spring to discuss cultural competency and safety in health care. The Health Council of Canada used our Aboriginal Health program as an example of an innovative program that enhances cultural competency and cultural safety and ultimately improves the health outcomes for Aboriginal people in healthcare systems, says Harris. Cultural Competency is the other corner stone of Aboriginal Health that is so imperative to its ongoing success. Cultural Competency in health care means that the health care provider respects and understands that people from different cultures have different values and beliefs that will impact upon the delivery of health care for that person, says Harris. Culturally Competent health care providers recognize the value of these cultural differences as a learning opportunity to ensure that the appropriate care is given to help our clients feel comfortable and safe when they are accessing care, she adds. Cultural competency is key to Aboriginal Health, which incorporate many different resources and practices, including traditional smudges and sharing circles for clients, families of clients and health providers around the region. Intensive Cultural Competency training and education has been undertaken since the outset of this program for health providers, physicians and board members, says Harris. This facilitates the broader understanding and application of the principles and concepts of Cultural Competency and directly impacts how providers approach their care and service delivery. Aboriginal Health embeds and incorporates Cultural Competency education by providing cultural information through discussions in daily interactions with health providers and physicians. Aboriginal Support Workers are a vital part of Aboriginal Health and have contributed greatly to its success. Aboriginal Support Workers are based at the Portage District General Hospital and provide support for Aboriginal people to help them successfully navigate the health system. They provide culturally sensitive support and interpretation services for Aboriginal clients and the nurses, physicians and other health care providers assisting them, making sure there are no misunderstandings or miscommunication about the care the client requires and receives. Our Aboriginal Support Workers help to empower clients and their families to be involved and engaged in decisions about their own health plan and health outcomes, says Harris. Aboriginal Health is making an important difference in helping... Aboriginal patients navigate the healthcare system and help[ing] medical professionals understand how recognizing culture can be good medicine, says John Abbott, CEO of the Health Council of Canada in a letter thanking Harris for participating in the video and report. Building relationships is vital to the successful delivery of Aboriginal Health and without the support and involvement of the Aboriginal community, health care providers, Board of Directors, CEO and senior leadership team of the program could not have achieved all that is has, says Harris. We have really shown that the program adds value to the health system and we are a recognized and respected part of the health care teams in our region, she says. We know that our Aboriginal population bears a large burden of chronic health issues, such as diabetes and hypertension, says McPhail. The Aboriginal Program, however, is much larger than any one disease issue; it s a program that is broad in scope and reaches across the social fabric of the aboriginal community, not just the health fabric. The launch of the Health Council of Canada report, which featured the Aboriginal Health program, generated a lot of interest from TV and print media and online social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. As a result of all this attention, other health authorities across Canada are showing interest in adopting similar programs in their regions. The hope is that our work will inspire others in Canada to use our programs as an example of everyday practices that are embedding cultural competence and cultural safety in our health system, says Harris. Aboriginal Insignia Description the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical elements of the person. white and yellow around the bear represent the Four Nations of the world. represents Mother Earth and her holistic healing gifts that she provides us with. the Métis. The different ethnic backgrounds, different languages and how they blend into one another to form a rich tapestry like the lives and cultures of the Métis people. and contemporary medicines and the teachings of the sacred medicines complementing one another Manitoba Poison Centre Centre Anti-Poison du Manitoba New poison control line takes effect July 1 The enhanced Manitoba Poison Centre, POISON ( ), will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will provide specialized information and treatment recommendations related to chemical, biological, pharmaceutical and environmental poisoning and exposure. If needed, Manitobans can continue to call 911 or their local emergency number to get urgent care for poisonings.

5 8 Spring Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Spring Restore and Recharge Morning keynote speakers Ruth Lindsey-Armstrong, Mavis Lewis-Webber & Brigitte Insull from Red River College encouraged participants to get outdoors and fight the new adage that sitting is the new smoking. CEO Kathy McPhail and members of the Board preparing for a day of learning at the Healthy Communities Conference. Restore and recharge...take it outside in nature was the theme of the 15th annual Healthy Communities Conference held on April 19 in Pilot Mound. sponsors the annual Health Communities Conference, which is held in a different community each year and explores a topic around health and healthy living that is of importance to the host community. It s a way for us to work in a meaningful way with communities and to learn together about topics of common interest which support healthy living in communities in the region, says Jennifer Baker, Regional Manager Public Health-Healthy Living with. Although the RHA provides a small grant to help with the cost of speakers, a vast majority of the planning and organizing is done by the many community groups and organizations which become involved. The amount of volunteer effort and energy that goes into this annual event is astronomical, says Baker. Communities do a lot of work to really explore their own thinking about what they think is important to the health of their community. When the organizing committee first sat down to determine the theme for this year s conference, they made the observation that they didn t see kids outside much anymore, then realized the same was true about themselves. Then we all started to talk about when the last time was we were outside to restore and recharge and that did not come to mind for most, says Desarae Angus, who is Wear a Helmet for Every Ride Helmets should be worn by children and youth riding bikes, scooters, and skateboards every time they ride. Parents are important role models for kids, and should always wear a helmet when cycling. Remember that serious injuries usually happen close to home, on neighbourhood streets, parks, and paths. Choose the Right Helmet Do you know that there are different helmets for different activities? Bike helmets can be used for cycling, scooters, and inline skating. Skateboard helmets should be worn for inline tricks and skateboarding. Some helmets are designed for multiple activities. Make sure your helmet meets safety standards from CPSC, CSA, ASTM or Snell. Louise Recreation Director and chair of the organizing committee. The theme soon emerged about the need to re-establish that connection between health and nature and how that is being lost in our modern, stress-filled lives, which are increasingly being spent indoors. Presenters including early childhood educators, motivational speakers and an occupational therapist drove home the message that we are biologically hardwired to be outdoors. It is unnatural for us to spend as much time as we do indoors. Plenty of research has proven that our health improves when we spend time outdoors. A community panel of members also shared their own ideas and experiences about the role that nature can play in our health and in the sustainability of our communities. I was tremendously excited about the choice to focus on the connection between health and nature, says Baker. I think it really is an up-and-coming focus in Healthy Living circles to focus on how we have removed ourselves from our natural world this to our own detriment. I think the global community is learning more and more about this and I think it is exciting that the community also thought this was relevant and essential to their community s health. Next year s Healthy Communities Conference will be hosted by Swan Lake First Nation in collaboration with the Swan Lake Community. This will mark the first time that a First Nations community has hosted the event. Check Helmet Fit Helmets work best when they fit well, are worn correctly and the straps are fastened. Learn the 2-V-1 rule: only 2 fingers should fit between your eyebrows and the helmet, the straps should form a V around your ears, and only 1 finger should fit between your chin and the chin strap. Ride Together Younger children should always cycle with a parent. Before age 9 most children do not have the maturity and skills to cycle safely on the road alone. Read more about why children lack good judgement in traffic at our website www. activesafekidsmanitoba.ca General Cycling Safety Make sure your bike fits you properly and is in good condition. Wear bright colours to be seen. Everyone should learn the rules of the road such as hand signals, how to use bike lanes and navigate traffic. NAVIGATING THE CANCER JOURNEY Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC) has enhanced access to cancer services targeted at improving the start point of an individual s cancer journey and maintaining personalized care throughout that journey. The Community Cancer Program at Boundary Trails, which already provided chemotherapy closer to home for patients, has now added an integrated network of cancer services, including Cancer Navigation, counselling and support, and increased links with local care providers and oncology specialists. BTHC, located between Winkler and Morden, was chosen as the first Community Cancer Program in Manitoba to have increased access to supportive cancer services because it already had a similar cancer pre-referral program in place. Cancer Navigation at BTHC are also being extended to the northern part of the region, based out of Portage la Prairie. Additional integrated services are planned for Steinbach to serve the eastern portion of. The integrated network of services are part of the efforts of a $40-million provincial strategy to transform the cancer patient journey and reduce the timeframe from clinical suspicion of cancer through diagnosis to start of treatment in 60 days or less. From what I have seen, the speed and quality of the patient journey, especially in those first days from cancer suspicion to treatment, has been significantly improved through these services, says Dr. Denis Fortier, Associate Vice-President Medical for. When it is first suspected that someone has cancer, there is a waiting period while tests are performed, and that can be one of the hardest times in a patient s cancer journey. A big part of the enhancement to services for patients during this time frame is the addition of Nurse Navigators. Trained oncology nurses are assigned to each referred cancer patient to guide and expedite them through the whole process of testing, diagnosis, referrals and treatments. There are so many unknowns for patients and families at that time and a big part of what we do is to try to give Patients diagnosed with cancer have often described their journey with the illness as frustrating and poorly coordinated, with gaps in care and communication. CancerCare Manitoba estimates that for many, the cancer patient journey from when a patient s family doctor first suspects cancer until treatment actually begins, takes anywhere from three to nine months. Delays raise anxiety for patients and their families, and may affect clinical outcomes such as requiring more intensive treatment. The Cancer Patient Journey Initiative comfort to those who have been referred into our service. We want to make sure they don t fall through any cracks, says Deb Weir, one of three Nurse Navigators working with patients in Boundary Trails and neighbouring communities. We re watching and following up on their tests and advocating for them to ensure things don t take longer than they should. Cancer Navigation are there for people, regardless of where they are on their journey with cancer, adds Weir, Whether they are suspected of or have a diagnosis of cancer, are in treatment, are post-treatment, need palliative care or are a family in bereavement - our services are there for information, for support and to answer questions about what to expect next. To reduce the anxiety associated with awaiting diagnosis, Nurse Navigators try to better coordinate tests and reduce delays. We try to set up tests concurrently instead of consecutively, says Dr. Woelk, Physician Lead for the integrated cancer services now available. Instead of waiting for one test result and then having to wait for another, we try to arrange for patients to undergo their tests and consultations at the same time, when possible. Another cancer service now available at BTHC is counselling, emotional and psychological support for patients and families through a psychosocial oncology clinician. There is a fair amount of worry and fear about cancer. Having someone who can listen to those worries makes a big difference, says Dr. Woelk. Sometimes that psychosocial support is also provided by the Nurse Navigators. The enhanced services started running in Boundary Trails as of January 2013, and have already had a noticeable impact. It s about getting patients to the treatment they need, faster, says Dr. Woelk. We ve already seen cases where we have been able to shorten the timeframe from clinical suspicion of cancer to that first treatment. We re very pleased with that. Family physicians and patients can find out about referral to these services by calling Boundary Trails Health Centre The Cancer Patient Journey Initiative is a partnership of Manitoba Health, CancerCare Manitoba, Diagnostic of Manitoba, Regional Health Authorities of Manitoba, Family Physicians and other health care providers. These partners have brought together key players and patients from across Manitoba to work together to reduce the time from suspicion of cancer to first treatment to 60 days or less. There are many improvements already underway and many more to occur in key areas related to primary care, diagnostics, as well as specialty care and IT support. Dr. Woelk, Physician Lead, Cancer Patient Journey, Boundary Trails Health Centre What Additional Cancer are Available? Cancer Navigation, cancer counselling services, and Family Physicians in Oncology support are all part of the enhanced cancer services now available at Boundary Trails. Cancer Navigation All diagnosed patients, or those whose health providers have a clinical suspicion of cancer, can and should be referred either by their doctor or by self-referral to Cancer Navigation. From there, oncology trained Nurse Navigators can help the patient and the primary care provider more easily work through cancer testing and referrals for timely access to care. These nurses will answer questions for patients and families to better understand diagnosis and the plan of care. They are also the communication link between CancerCare MB services and the family doctor or primary care provider. Cancer Counselling There are times when the stresses of everyday life and the added concerns and disruption of a cancer diagnosis cause patients and families to experience significant distress. Access to a Psychosocial Oncology Clinician can help patients and families through difficult points in their journey. These services includes individual, couple, family and small group counselling sessions, as well as assistance to access practical help including transportation, accommodations, finances, child and elder care. Family Physicians in Oncology (FPOs) These are family physicians with special interest or focused practice in oncology, and who have received special training in the provincial cancer system. These doctors are a resource to Cancer Navigation, family doctors, and other health care providers who are in a more active role early on in the patient journey.

6 10 Spring Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Spring Primary Care Network Focuses on the Person A The Primary Care Network is a new primary health care delivery model which is first being implemented by Southern Health-Santé Sud in partnership with Steinbach Family Medical Clinic. The main focus of this delivery model is to centre on the needs of the person requiring health services. The Primary Care Network is a comprehensive, person-centred approach to delivery of primary care, says Karen Ilchyna, Primary Care Network Project Lead. We know that the individual is the expert in their health or illness, so we work with that individual to improve, manage and maintain his or her health and offer support in getting the information and care they need, when they need it. Manitoba s first Primary Care Network is being implemented in the upcoming weeks and brings together a team of various health care providers including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, a chronic disease nurse, registered dietician, child immunization nurse, reproductive health nurse and a mental health brief treatment counsellor. The Primary Care Network provides a way for these health care professionals to collaborate and communicate efficiently with each other to provide appropriate care to clients as needed, increase their access to care and shorten wait times. It allows physicians to use the scope of their practice more efficiently, says Dr. Myron Thiessen, Vice-President Medical for the region and the Physician Lead for the Primary Care Network. Physicians have training which allows them to function in a more efficient manner when they can use other primary care providers that can deliver some of the care. When everybody works as a team, it improves access and quality care for patients. Thiessen likens the role of the physician in the Primary Care Network to that of a quarterback to the team. That physician doesn t necessarily see a patient every time they need care, so the patient may see one care provider in the Primary Care Network in one setting and a different care provider in a different setting, but that is all connected to what we call the patient s primary care home, he says. So by utilizing the Primary Care Network in this way it allows one physician to have a broader base of practice and that improves access and everybody has a physician that they are attached to. It s Safe to Ask A Patient Care Connector will soon be implemented in the region, whose role will be to connect individuals without a physician to a practice. Improving access is a key function of the Primary Care Network says Ilchyna. The goal is to improve access for all Manitobans to quality health care by focusing on the patient and connecting health care providers together seamlessly so there is continuity and consistency of care and the patient doesn t have to come in and repeat his or her story to more than one provider. The Primary Care Network at Steinbach is the first to be implemented and three similar networks have been proposed for other facilities across Manitoba, and although they have yet to be approved, many believe that innovative systems such as this are the future of health care delivery systems. The Primary Care Network is about system transformation to get us to a place where we have a very connected and well networked system, says Deb Taillefer, Executive Director- East for. The Primary Care Network is the glue that connects all those gears so they work as a very well articulated machine. Deb Taillefer, Executive Director- East for Karen Ilchyna, Primary Care Network Project Lead What do you do when you go Dr. Myron Thiessen, VP Medical, Last year, the Manitoba government announced its commitment to ensuring that all Manitobans have access to a family doctor by It s one of four key strategies that have been identified by Manitoba Health, which also include the Cancer Patient Journey, the continuing Long Term Care strategy and Access/wait list reduction. is engaging in a number of different strategies to try and help make the doc for all goal a reality for its more than 183,000 residents. A Primary Care Network is soon to be implemented in partnership with Steinbach Family Medical Clinic that aims to more efficiently connect patients with the services of a team of health care providers to help improve access. Dr. Denis Fortier, Associate VP Medical, Alternative health care providers, who can help alleviate the workload for physicians, are also in place in some facilities. Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants have been deployed in several locations across the region. Alternate care providers such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants are very helpful because physicians spend a lot of time doing other work in hospitals and personal care homes, says Dr. Fortier, Associate Vice-President Medical for. If we can shift those duties to other care providers, the family physician can spend more time in his or her clinic and see more patients. Steinbach has also implemented a Manitoba, which aims to improve out of Physician for All hours and same day access to primary care that isn t an emergency. The idea is that if a patient has an ear infection or something like that and is not able to immediately see their family physician, they can go to The clinic communicates this occurrence back to their family physician, so they can follow up and get longer term care, says Dr. Myron Thiessen, Vice-President Medical Care Clinic is not taking on a permanent patient load, it s just providing, as the name implies, that one visit for a quick item and then expects patients to go back and see their primary care provider, to whom they are attached, for longer term care. Physicians continue to do their part in trying to encourage young physicians to practice in rural areas and support them in their training. Our physicians do a good job of training future doctors and that is a huge has 24 Public Health sites. source of human resources being exposed to our region, says Dr. Fortier. If they train here and like what they see as well as the people they are working with, some of them come back to work in the region. Manitoba Health is also increasing incentives for recruiting physicians and has increased the enrolment base at the University of Manitoba s Faculty of Medicine. There are multiple tiers that make up the overall strategy that aims to ensure all Manitobans have a family physician, and its partnerships between many different people, groups and communities that will be essential to make it happen. Partnerships are hugely important when it comes to achieving this goal for 2015, says Dr. Fortier. can t do it alone, doctors can t do it alone, the communities can t do it alone, the Province can t do it alone, but if all of us are working together, then we will succeed. has 19 ambulance stations. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist What is my health problem? 3 1 Why do I need to do this? What do I need to do? 2 Cover your sneezes and coughs and help stop the spread of germs. 1 Use a tissue 2 Throw in the garbage 3SOAP Wash your hands You only need one reason to quit. We have three ways to help. Smokers Helpline has proven tips and tools to help you quit tobacco use. We have three ways for you to get free, personalized and non-judgmental support, advice and information that can improve your chance for success. You can quit! We can help. Phone Support Online Program Text Messaging Arthritis Diabetes C O Stro Chronic Pa M S Asthma For more information on programs in Southern Health Santé Sud or to register, call and ask for Healthy Living. High Blood Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Or are you managing well and want to stay that way? Let s... re ht nt es igue Syndrome Get Better pression Together! A free program for living better with ongoing health conditions ia se Osteoperosis Heart Disease Hepatitis Stop Germs. Stop Colds and the Flu. Canadian Cancer Society 2010.

7 12 Spring Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Spring Growing Our Own In 2011, our Recruitment and French Language (FLS) staff set out to create a durable and innovative program that would get bilingual high school students excited about careers in health care. The goal is to curb future bilingualstaff shortages by growing our own. The idea is that if we get bilingual individuals to become healthcare professionals, we ll be able to provide health services in French to French-speaking clients well into the future! The resulting program is a mobile game-show, now known as Les héros de la santé. Now in its third year, we re taking the workshop to more French and Frenchimmersion schools throughout the Region. To date, the region has impacted an estimated 500 French-speaking students from grades 9 through 12 and we ve started to return to schools that had the presentation in the first year. Les héros de la santé introduces participants to up to 55 different healthcare careers and specialities in entertaining and engaging ways. It reinforces the value added of being bilingual when seeking a job and the need for bilingual services. It promotes health care as an exciting, promising industry and Southern Health- Santé Sud as a first-choice employer. The game-show gets students thinking about the industry of health care and about what they have to offer within it. You re asking good questions. > WE HAVE ANSWERS. The workshop, formerly called Chaching en santé, was developed in collaboration with the Conseil communauté en santé du Manitoba, a provincial partner recognized by the Government of Manitoba as official representative of the Francophone community in the areas of health and social services. Also, generous funding from Francofonds and the De Salaberry District Health Centre Foundation made the initiative possible in its initial year. Finally, the community involvement in developing the program was outstanding. Les héros de la santé was developed using input and active participation of youth: they are the subjects in the photos and videos used throughout; they piloted the program to ensure it was relevant and engaging to them. The participants, their parents, teachers and the RHA staff onlocation all became aware of the project which further increased the impact it has had. The program has been and continues to be used beyond Southern Health-Santé Sud boundaries and to the benefit of the entire bilingual healthcare industry. GET STARTED BY FINDING US ONLINE OR ON THE PHONE, 24/ toll-free manitoba.ca/betterhealth has 5,600 employees. and Conseil Communauté en santé du Manitoba staff attended attended a career fair in Notre Dame de Lourdes on May 9, 2013 in the hopes of inspiring bilingual students to consider the many careers in health care. has 13 acute care sites and 5 transitional care sites. Southern Health- Santé Sud has 21 Home Care sites. French Language Improve Health Outcomes Members of the two Tables de concertation régionales du Centre et du Sud-Est gathered together for a joint meeting in March to discuss the FLS Strategic Plan. Based on 2011 Census data, the Southern Health-Santé Sud region is home to 70% of rural French-speaking Manitobans, almost 11% of its population is Frenchspeaking, so being able to provide health care services in French is important to help ensure good health outcomes. The RHA embraces its role as a designated bilingual organization, providing services in both official languages. Research has shown that if providers of services speak the same language as the client, it has a significant impact on health outcomes, says Claudette Lahaie, French Language (FLS) Administrator for. If the client has a better understanding of the information being shared, there is more likelihood that the client will follow through with the recommendations being made, and the provider will also understand better what is going on with the client. This statement stands true in the French culture as well as for other cultures such as evidenced through our Aboriginal Support Worker program. has been very proactive in recognizing the importance of French Language to the region, says Annie Bédard, Executive Director of the Conseil Communauté en Santé du Manitoba, the organization which is the official provincial representative of the francophone community in the areas of health and social services. The RHA Board of Directors and senior leadership team are very committed to putting specific policies and actions in place to serve the needs of the French-speaking population of the region, says Bédard. Both of the former RHAs which now make up had provided FLS and had FLS strategic plans. These have been reviewed and are being consolidated to develop an FLS strategy for the whole region. Our FLS policies were very similar, so it makes sense to merge the best of both, says Pierre Beaudoin, Chair of the Table de Concertation Sud-est, one of two regional round tables. The tables de concertation which provide an important link to the French-speaking community, give input into FLS and promote awareness of FLS programs. We are looking at how to best share some of the programs, facilities and people and consolidate our best practices. We have to make sure that we maximize the resources and opportunities within the region. Making people aware of where and how FLS can be accessed is a key priority for the RHA, says Lahaie. The province has officially designated us as a bilingual RHA and we need to make sure that access to FLS in the region are very evident, readily available, and easily accessible, she says. There are a number of designated bilingual facilities in the region in areas where concentration of French-speaking people is high. Engaging communities and other partners in the provision of FLS has always and continues to be key, says Lahaie. Our FLS have been built on consultation with the community and it s vital that the RHA continues to work in collaboration because part of having healthy people and a healthy environment is to assume a shared responsibility for health with the community, she says. Recruiting French-speaking employees is another challenge that the region is faced with, says Bédard. It s not easy to recruit bilingual staff and although the RHA recognizes the challenges, it is engaged in finding innovative and creative solutions, she says. French language services currently available in the region are a solid base to continue to build upon, says Lahaie. There has already been a lot of work done and there is strong support from the RHA to ensure that bilingual services continue to be available for the community. Consolidated, regional FLS should bring a synergy that will help free up some time to work on priorities such as bilingual human resources, says Dr. Denis Fortier, Associate Vice-President Medical for who also chairs the Table de concertation régionale du Centre. The merger has allowed us to build capacity, he says. It will also allow us to explore policies that were otherwise theoretical. Now we can develop and implement them. I think there is going to be more activity in terms of consolidating and enhancing FLS in the region. What are the Tables de Concertation? Tables de Concertation exist in both the former South- Eastman and Central regions and form partnerships with community health providers and organizations like schools and seniors groups, to promote wellness within the francophone community, with an emphasis on how people can have an impact upon their own personal health through healthy activities and lifestyles. The Table de Concertation Santé Sud-est established two French-Language Community Wellness Centres (Centres de bien-être communautaire francophone) in Ste Agathe and La Broquerie where the emphasis is on primary health and well-being and where programs, activities and information help all age groups within the francophone community be more aware of how to positively influence their personal health. The Table de Concertation du Centre also partners with community groups and organizations and last year organized SAC ADOS, an awareness conference for teens on how to make better choices related to mental health wellness and risk behaviors. The event was held in Notre Dame de Lourdes which was attended by 200 local francophone high school students. has 180 physicians/ specialists.

8 14 Spring Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter Spring Speaking Our Respect seniors in the same way that we would speak to an infant child, but little do we realize the negative effects that so called elder speak can have on the physical, psychological and functional wellbeing of older people. Elder speak is using slower speech, exaggerating the pronunciation of words, elevating the pitch and volume of our voices and using repetitive and simpler vocabulary and grammar than we would use with one of our peers, says Michelle Groulx, Client Manager at Boyne Lodge. It was at a long term care conference last spring that Groulx was introduced to the concept of elder speak and further research led her to discover studies that detailed the detrimental effects that it can have. Although, she says, people are usually trying to express caring when they use elder speak, it doesn t necessarily convey the intended message. Elder speak fails to communicate appropriate respect, she says. It can create a feeling of being talked down to and implies incompetence, which has a spiralling effect of causing lower self esteem, depression, withdrawal and dependent behaviour, that can then lead to a decline in that person s physical, cognitive and functional status. Groulx has been sharing her research with staff to instill the message that, in speaking with elders, they need be treated as equals rather than as children. It s important, she says, to address seniors by name instead of using inappropriate terms of endearment such as sweetie, and to remember to ask them direct questions that empower them to make decisions for themselves. We tend to pluralize some of our questions when we speak with the elderly, says Groulx. For example we might say Are we ready for our walk? and instead Michelle Groulx, Client Manager, Boyne Lodge Carman we should ask Are you ready for your walk? I am here to help you. Equally as important as the words we say is the tone in which we say them. Using a higher pitched voice, for example, can actually make it harder to differentiate words. When we discuss elder speak it s generating a lot of conversation, says Groulx. A lot of people are saying I didn t even realize I was doing that. What I think is key is that we need to remember that we are professional staff and we are not in the same role as the family and friends of the seniors in our care. We need to speak to seniors with the respect that we, as seniors, will expect to receive ourselves some day. Get the on clean hands! Hands spread about 80% of infectious diseases like the common cold and u. When you touch a doorknob, computer mouse or a shopping cart that has germs such as viruses or bacteria on it and then touch your mouth or eyes, you can become ill yourself or you can spread the illness to someone you care about. Serious infecons can be picked up anywhere and without you knowing it. Soap and water gets rid of germs but doesn t kill them. When you scrub, the soap traps the germs and the water rinses them o your hands. Regular soap is best for hand washing. It comes in two forms: - this is a good choice because it is clean and easy to use. Clean the outside of the dispenser and wash the inside of the container and allow to dry before relling it. Antibacterial soap is not a good choice for regular hand washing. Even though this soap contains anbacterial substances to kill germs, it needs to be scrubbed into the hands for seconds for it to work. It not all the germs are killed, they can become resistant to the anbacterial substance. Also, anbacterial soaps can t kill viruses that cause colds and u. If used too oen, it can be harsh on skin. Using alcohol-based hand rubs: When you can t wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand rub. The alcohol in the hand rub kills germs. Use the products that have 60-95% alcohol. There are mes when alcohol-based hand rubs are less eecve than soap and water. Alcohol-based hand rubs can t kill germs when there is dirt, so wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty. If you eat foods that could cause an allergic reacon in other people, wash aerward with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand rubs don t remove food. Alcohol-based hand rubs are not eecve against Associated Diseases (CDAD) so use soap and water aer using washroom. Alcohol-based hand rubs are safe for children when used correctly. Make sure children rub their hands unl they are completely dry. This will allow the alcohol in the hand rub to evaporate and children can safely touch their mouths and eyes. Store container safely aer use. Mental Health Promotion Coordinator Allana Hall posing for a picture with singer/songwriter Robb Nash at the 2013 Out of the Blue launch. Mental Health a Priority for The World Health Organization indicates that one in five people have a diagnosable mental illness at any given time. To put that in perspective, the Southern Health- Santé Sud region has a population greater than 183,000, which means that 36,000 of them could potentially be dealing with mental health issues on a daily basis. The Mental Health program for the is currently providing services for approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people at any given time, estimates Ken Kroeker, Regional Director of Mental Health and Spiritual Health Care, which is a reason that provision of mental health services has been identified as one of the priorities for the region in its strategic health plan for It s a theme that is pretty strong and comes up repeatedly in conversations that mental health is a key component of overall health promotion, says Kroeker. The scope of the issue does not however mean that all folks impacted require assistance from the formal mental health services such as community mental health, psychiatry, psychology and inpatient care, adds Kroeker. It does however mean that we need to evolve a range of options that allow people impacted to seek the appropriate assistance in a variety of settings, in both formal and informal ways, he says. The mental health of individuals and community is everyone s business. The professional health funded services are important, but only a part of the solution. Workplaces, schools, community centres, sports organizations, churches, families and individuals all have a role to play in ensuring that we incorporate mental health into our overall health and well-being. Kroeker and his colleagues are in the process of reorganizing services for the new. and programs currently provided include crisis response, adult community mental health, intensive case management services, mental health services for seniors, child and adolescent services, support services including housing supports, proctors, mental health promotion and prevention. in all of these areas are currently provided across the region, although they have evolved slightly differently in scope and capacity in each of the former RHA regions (South Eastman and Central). Part of the challenge ahead is to standardize services across the region and evolve capacity to meet the needs of the region s growing population. We are working on developing the program structure so we can clearly communicate to the region s population what services we have, where they are available and what they can expect from those services, says Kroeker. Presently, access workers at Winkler, Portage la Prairie and Steinbach provide an entry point for those seeking any kind of mental health services across the region. The access workers are a first point of contact to find out what mental health services are provided on a regional and a provincial basis, says Kroeker. The idea is to get people connected to the right services and make them aware of what their options are. Each former region has innovative services that it s hoped can become standard across the region. For example, while there may have been a variety of initiatives and strategies relative to suicide prevention, they are all based on the same focus and goals. Southern Health-Santé- Sud has some innovative programs and resources to help raise awareness and offer support for those at risk. (See p. 16 for examples.) The vision is to continue to build partnerships and work in sync with the strategic directions established by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and our own Province of Manitoba s Strategic Plan in an effort to build an evidence-based service delivery system that can make a difference to people in the region who are experiencing mental illnesses, says Kroeker. Southern Health-Santé Sud has 21 Mental Health Service sites. covers 27,025 km 2.

9 16 Spring Southern Health Santé Sud newsletter PROGRAMS & SERVICES Programs & Housing (Ambulance) Get Better Together program Health Corners Healthy Communities Conference Healthy Living Together Program TeleCARE Manitoba Adult Day Programs Meals on Wheels Personal Care at Home Respite Care Health 450 Main (Crisis Stabilization Unit) Steinbach Adult Counselling Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment (Eden Mental Health Centre) Child & Youth Employment Support Housing Support Intensive Case Management Mental Health Crisis Psychiatric Safehouse Seniors Mental Health / Mental Health Adults Chronic Disease Self-Management (Diabetes) Medical Clinics Primary Health Care Centres QuickCare Clinic Teen Clinic Families First Healthy Baby (Growing with Mom & Super Start) Public Health > Communicable Disease Prevention & Control > Immunizations / Child Health Clinic > Postpartum & Breastfeeding Support > Prenatal Education > Reproductive Health > School Health > Travel Health URIS- Unified Referral Intake System Audiology Therapy Physiotherapy Speech Language Therapy Congregate Meal Program in Group Living Other Media Relations Technology Patient Safety Facility-Based Chemotherapy Emergency Care Extended Treatment / Rehabilitation Hemodialysis Intensive Care Medical Care Respiratory Surgery / Surgical Care Corporations Eden Mental Health Centre Menno Home for the Aged Prairie View Lodge Home Rock Lake Health District Hospital Rock Lake Health District Personal Care Home Salem Home Inc. St. Adolphe Personal Care Home Tabor Home Inc. Villa Youville Cardiac stress testing Computed Tomography (CT Scans) Electrocardiogram (ECG) Laboratory Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Mammography Ultrasound X-ray To Our Health In collaboration with the community and partners, Southern Health- Santé Sud endeavours to provide access to appropriate services in the appropriate setting as demonstrated by the many programs and services delivered in the region. We strive to deliver a seamless continuum of care that supports our clients at every stage of their lives Thank you for reading our Spring 2013 issue reaching households across Southern Health-Santé Sud. Created by the Southern Health-Santé Sud, this newsletter is published to share stories about health care, health promotion and health wellness. Stories are written by our staff and a freelance writer. Many regards to the numerous interviewees who contributed to our stories. Reproduction of materials in whole or in part is encouraged with confirmation from: Lorraine Grenier Regional Director Communications & French Language info@southernhealth.ca Thank you for joining us. Some Recent Initiatives in Mental Health The Out of the Blue campaign, which is delivered annually to grade 10 students in five schools in the eastern portion of the region, talks about suicide intervention and helps youth find the help they need and aims to reduce the social stigma associated with mental health issues. The more we repeat this campaign and let people know it s OK to have a mental health concern, the more we are going to see people reach out for help and the more we will see suicide rates going down, says Allana Hall, Mental Health Promotion Coordinator for. Crisis intervention and Child and Adolescent workers give presentations to the students about the suicide prevention and other mental health services that are available and how they can be accessed. For more information visit: or The Committee for Suicide Prevention partners with many organizations and groups to deliver programs and resources in the eastern geography of the region which raise awareness and teach suicide prevention skills for people of all ages. In the western geography of, a number of programs initiated by its Youth Suicide Prevention Committee have similar goals. The programs have focused on making resources such as books, Suicide Prevention handbooks and videos available to schools and First Nations communities in the region, delivering informational and training programs that teach children and youth everyday coping skills, increasing awareness about suicide prevention and share suicide prevention programs and best practices. A provincial pilot program at Portage la Prairie Collegiate Institute called Sources of Strength provides lunchtime educational and training sessions about suicide intervention and prevention to empower and support students and adult volunteers from the community. An annual event for World Suicide Prevention Day invites people in the region to fly a kite, symbolizing the need to reconnect our reason to live with dignity, purpose and meaning and invite and challenge everyone to become involved in Suicide Prevention. Need to talk to someone? Mental Health Crisis Lines East of the Red River West of the Red River Try a new veggie or fruit every week Choose fish, lean meat and alternatives like beans, lentils and tofu BUILD YOUR OWN HEALTHY EATING HABITS Eat a variety of foods from the four food groups and remember to check the Nutrition Facts table on packaged foods when grocery shopping to help you choose and compare foods. Bon appétit! Make at least half your grain products whole grain each day Drink 2 cups of milk or fortified soy beverage every day LEARN MORE AT: HealthyCanadians.gc.ca/eatwell