Health Access Centres
Published in the October 2021 edition of Lifestyles 55 Plus
By Honourable Myrna Driedger
COVID-19 has changed our lives completely. Since this pandemic began, we have all had to adjust our lives in both big and small ways. Thank you to everyone who continues to follow public health orders. Making these changes has been very challenges for many of us. Remember to take care of your mental health. Reach out for help if you’re struggling, and know that it’s okay to not be okay.
The vaccine roll out has enabled so many of us to get our vaccines. It’s crucial that for anyone who is hesitant on receiving the vaccine to talk with your doctor about the many benefits of this important vaccine. The vaccine is the key to ending these tremendously challenging times.
As a former nurse, I have been so impressed with our healthcare workers and how they’ve risen to the challenges of these many months of difficultly. As always, our healthcare heroes have handled these times with grace, professionalism, and strength. Thank you all so very much.
Our healthcare system consists of many pieces. Together these pieces weave the fabric of a resource that we can all rely on when in need. One of these important pieces is our Health ACCESS Centres. Health ACCESS Centres offer many health and social services in our communities. The services offered vary from location to location in order to meet the unique needs of each community. Services include front line health care from doctors and nurses, employment and income assistance programs, home care, and mental health assistance programs.
There are seven Access centres located throughout Winnipeg.
ACCESS Downtown at 640 Main Street
This ACCESS Centre offers screening, diagnosis, medical management and education for patients with diabetes and other health conditions, and also a wide variety of programs and classes for the community. Manitobans can expect to find doctors, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, and outreach workers who all endeavour to help Manitobans with their healthcare concerns.
ACCESS River East at 975 Henderson Highway
This ACCESS Centre offers screening, diagnosis, medical management and education for patients with diabetes and other health conditions. There are group diabetes management classes, individual diabetes management counselling, and Get Better Together!- a program for living better with ongoing health concerns. Other health and wellness programs are also offered.
ACCESS Transcona at 845 Regent Ave West
This ACCESS Centre offers screening, diagnosis, medical management and education for patients with diabetes and other health conditions. Similar to the above mentioned locations, there are a variety of diabetes management classes including many other health, social, and community development programs.
ACCESS Fort Garry at 135 Plaza Drive
This ACCESS Centre offers screening, diagnosis, medical management and education for patients with diabetes and other health conditions.
ACCESS St. Boniface at 170 Goulet Street
This ACCESS Centre offers many programs and resources including programs focused on cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness, pregnancy preparation, dealing with arthritis, and teaching about diabetes, to name just a few.
ACCESS Winnipeg West at 280 Booth Drive
This ACCESS Centre includes a walk-in connected care clinic that is connected to the Grace Hospital. The purpose of this clinic is for non-emergency issues and is staffed by registered nurses and nurse practitioners. There are so many services offered through this Centre including: Winnipeg child and family services, children’s disABILITY services, child development program, community engagement and development, community living disABILITY services, community mental health, mental health team, employment and income assistance, home care, population and public health program, access Winnipeg West primary care clinic, Access Winnipeg West clinical psychologist, primary care dietitian, program for assertive community treatment, speech language pathology, and healthy aging resource team.
ACCESS NorWest at 785 Keewatin Street
This centre offers a variety of programs and services for the community including expanded walk-in services, adolescent and adult dialectical behavioural therapy, dietitians, drop-in counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness, health services that focus on pregnancy and young children, just to name a few of the many programs.
These ACCESS Centres in Winnipeg are an important resource at your fingertips. Reach out to the WRHA or look online to see if any of the many amazing programs offered can be of use to you or your family.