In 2024, Southern Health-Santé Sud made progress by expanding services, addressing staffing challenges, and improving care for the region.
CEO Jane Curtis says a highlight of the year was the launch of the mobile withdrawal management and stabilization service.
"This is a mobile team that goes around the region helping people with substance or addiction difficulties, and it's really getting out to meeting the people where they live. That's been a great addition to our mental health services," says Curtis.
Major projects continue
Projects including the expansion of the Boundary Trails Health Centre in Winkler, Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach and the new hospital going up in Portage la Prairie are other significant expansions in the region that she highlights.
Staffing challenges
Unfortunately, Southern Health-Santé Sud is experiencing ongoing staffing challenges.
"We saw a lot of nurses and physicians retire after COVID, and it really left us in a deficit," she explains. However, there are signs of progress.
"Some of our vacancy rates are improving, and some of our sick time and overtime rates are declining as well. Those are really good trends to see."
Curtis says their top priority is ensuring staffing levels are met so that staff feel confident and supported when they enter the building, knowing they can provide the best care to patients they see on a daily basis.
Looking ahead to 2025
With many promising projects ahead, Curtis says that they remain focused on addressing ongoing challenges and says she is optimistic about the direction Southern Health is heading.
"Staff have a lot of really great ideas, so we're making sure we have a way of hearing those ideas and seeing where we can implement them.”
As 2024 ends, Southern Health-Santé Sud reflects on the year, thinking about what they've achieved and where they can improve.
"I’m a bit of an optimist. I always have been, but I felt this year, we're going in the right direction.”
With files from Kenton Dyck