Safe Talk

Claude Lussier (left) with South Eastman Health Chair Guy Levesque (right)

The community of La Broquerie would like to build a Primary Health Care Centre. John Stinson is Chief Executive Officer for South Eastman Health. He says there's a group in La Broquerie that has expressed a willingness to partner with the Regional Health Authority.

Stinson says they currently have a doctor come from Ste.Anne once a week. "They come a day a week and provide care for patients here in La Broquerie but the RM of La Broquerie and the community would like to see that expand," he notes. "And with the recent expansion at Le Chalet, there is some thought that there might be an opportunity to hook up to that expansion so that the people that are living at Le Chalet have direct access to some medical care."

RM of La Broquerie Reeve Claude Lussier says they're the fastest growing municipality in Manitoba and it's time for improved health care. Lussier says one of the first questions asked of seniors is "where is the nearest doc?" He says they're looking at a centre that would include a complement of doctors, a pharmacist, chiropractor and possibly a dentist. Lussier says being located near Steinbach and Ste.Anne, he feels they could complement the health services being offered in those communities.

Lussier would like to have a centre open by the end of 2012. "The Main Street obviously is the first place we're looking at," he says. "It's obvious that as the facilities of Le Chalet for assisted living for the third generation is growing in the town, it's obvious that the first place to look for would be close to the Southeast Health office." Stinson says by hooking up to the expanded Le Chalet, they could ensure residents living there have direct access to medical care. Lussier says if approved, they would likely construct a new building to house these services.

Lussier senses there is support from the RHA towards this project. "I think the timing is right," he says. "I think we're asking at the right moment. But I think the board is also realizing that there is a total logical need for it now."

Stinson says primary care is the RHA's number one strategic priority. "We want to expand access to care for people. We want to help deliver on the promise of government, that people are going to have access to a primary care provider, a physician, a nurse practitioner by 2014." Furthermore, he says "we want to put as many irons in the fire around primary care expansion as we can." Stinson adds "any opportunity we have is one that the board seizes and the board said let's go ahead, let's enter into some discussions with these folks and see where it goes."