Health officials are working to ensure Dauphin residents get the care they need amid the closure of the city’s hospital. In a news conference on Friday, Dr. AbdulRazaq Sokoro, Shared Health’s chief operating officer of provincial diagnostics, said they are setting up a patient service centre within the community. He explained this clinic will be for patients who are not in emergency situations, but require services like phlebotomies, X-rays, and electrocardiograms. “That is our priority right now and as we do that, we’ll continue to reassess and assess how we are supporting the services around the region,” he said. The Dauphin Region Health Centre closed at the start of the month due to damage caused by heavy rainfall and flooding. Repairs are expected to take months. Sokoro added the diagnostic centre will likely be set up in Dauphin’s provincial building. He said he doesn’t know when it will be open, but that it should be soon. “We are hoping to get it up in a matter of weeks, not in a matter of months,” he said. In the meantime, the Ste. Rose and Grandview emergency departments have upped their staffing and hours to take on any extra patients. According to Prairie Mountain Health, STARS Air Ambulance has been repositioned from Winnipeg to Brandon to strengthen critical care transport coverage, and an outpatient treatment clinic is operating out of the hospital’s community health services building. “I would like people to know that we are working our very hardest in collaboration with our government and Shared Health partners to re-establish services in Dauphin to the extent possible,” said Treena Slate, CEO of Prairie Mountain Health. “Every effort is being made. No stone is unturned. No suggestion is declined. We are looking at every possible solution for temporary and permanent solutions as we move through this.” Those looking for further updates on the closure can take part in a virtual town hall on July 30. More details are available on Prairie Mountain Health’s social media. With files from CTV’s William Reimer
