MEDIA SCAN CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT Contact: 204-424-2329 May 7, 2019
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MEDIA SCAN CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT Contact: 204-424-2329 May 7, 2019 New Director Of Health In Place Tuesday, 07 May 2019 A new Director of Health Services has been chosen by Southern Health- Sante Sud for the RMs of Portage la Prairie and Cartier. Shauna Sanderson stepped into the role less than two weeks ago, and acknowledges she still has much to learn. She tells us a little more about the job. "My role includes taking care of Douglas Campbell Lodge and Lion's Prairie Manor," she says, "As well as the Rotary Park Housing and Regency House. I'm not responsible for the operations at the Portage District Hospital, because they have their own director there." Sanderson spent several years with Prairie Mountain Health, as regional manager for therapy services, and feels that experience has prepared her for the new role. "And working in that role has given me the opportunity to learn about residents and communities, challenges that they face, and have had the ability to work to build healthy communities," she says, "So with that experience, and looking at this area, really makes me excited to be here." Sanderson feels the region has a great team at Southern Health, and area residents are fortunate they're working for them. Mental Health is Not Mental Illness Tuesday, 07 May 2019 It's Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) Mental Health Week. It began yesterday, and CMHA Central executive director Sean Miller explains the significance. "The reason it's important to have a week dedicated to mental health is that we know that there is public understanding of mental illness," notes Miller. "But mental illness and mental health are two different terms that are used interchangeably. The reality is that they're very different things. Mental illness impacts one out of five people. Mental health is five out of five. We all have mental health. The condition of our mental health actually impacts the quality of life that we experience." Miller explains their efforts to explain the differences. "We do have a number of program services," continues Miller. "We've got a course that talks about what good, positive mental health really means. It's about that self-esteem; about maintaining 1 autonomy in life; having a life that we choose to live, and what's all involved in being able to do that. That includes skill development, helping us develop healthy relationships with people, and having a positive outlook on life. It's not just all optimism. There are some real-world skills that can be developed and then used to experience that quality of life that we all want." He says the common person's role in this awareness depends on any given person's level of mental health. "To one person, it may mean taking different steps than it means for another person," continues Miller. "There are some people that may already engage in a number of activities that are meant to promote mental health. For example, physical health has a direct impact on mental health. So, there may be somebody that goes to the gym, or exercises and goes for a walk every single day of the week. For them, their role is to maintain that sort of thing. It really is about habits that we build into our lives. So, the role is really dependent on habits that we already do on a daily basis. If you're lacking in one area, you may want to be pick up a healthy habit. Maybe it's healthy eating. You may want to substitute one healthy choice for another healthy choice." Because it's mental health week, Miller says, they try to highlight the programs and services they regularly offer. He notes they're holding fundraisers to support their programs and services, including a 50s Happy Days Car Hop, a service food service that's happening at the Herman Prior Centre Tuesday evening. Southern Health Staring At Surplus Monday, 06 May 2019 Southern Health is poised to end the current fiscal year in the black. In fact, their Vice President of Finance and Planning says they are staring at a potential surplus of $7 million. Ken Klassen says there are a couple of reasons for their positive financial situation. "Our funding from Manitoba Health was a little bit higher than anticipated," admits Klassen. "So that was a pleasant surprise." (Ken Klassen, Vice President of Finance and Planning with Southern Health.)Klassen says because the additional revenue came late in the fiscal year, the regional health authority was not able to redirect those funds, which means it became part of their surplus. He notes the other factor is there have been a number of cost saving initiatives undertaken by health authorities this year. But, because Southern Health was already in a balanced position, the cost savings added to the surplus. Putting it into perspective, Klassen says it costs Southern Health about $1 million per day to run the RHA. Therefore, a $7 million surplus allows them to operate for one week. Klassen says historically, regional health authorities have been required to return to Manitoba Health any surplus above two per cent. For Southern Health, two per cent works out to about $7 million. "If it is higher than that though, I've confirmed that Manitoba Health is not going to take that back," he says. 2 He suggests any surplus dollars will go into their accumulative surplus which can be used for future health projects or expenditures approved by their senior leadership team and the board. Klassen says he expects their audited financial results should be available by June. Meanwhile, Southern Health is awaiting its funding letter from the province before finalizing its 2019/20 budget. Klassen says they have been told to plan for status quo funding. He notes majority of their expenditures are salaries. Klassen says most of their collective agreements have been frozen for the last few years while provincial bargaining unit restructuring is happening. He says if there are no salary increases, they can manage. 400 members and counting at Herman Prior May 6, 2019 Lynn Pashe is the Herman Prior's 400th member. Supplied It’s been some time since the official membership roll reached 400 at the Herman Prior Activity Centre (HPAC), but when Lynn Pashe signed up, the Portage la Prairie-based organization could once again claim that lofty membership plateau. Like all groups — non-profit or otherwise — membership numbers are a benchmark, a goal and a rung on a ladder to reach for. While there are 400 carded members, thousands use the facility each month who may not know of the advantages a membership may give them. One advantage is to reduce the cost of programs they participate in. “We were aiming to get our membership up to 400,” says Herman Prior Activity Centre executive director, Chris Dumont. “So congratulations to Lynn Pashe by virtue of being the 400th member, she gets her membership free this time.” The executive director explains while HPAC membership helps the Herman Prior Activity Centre with money to fund the programs and services we offer. It offers members lower fees for the programs and the day trips that we take.” Presently planned trips are to the Daniel O’Donnell show, Rainbow Stage and Goldeyes Games (events that require pre-registration). There are also shows at the Centre, like the recent “This is Me” production and an upcoming dinner and show that is a Don Williams Tribute on June 15. Story continues below A low-cost membership will return value in program savings. Membership remains at a mere $25 a year. As a member, you also have a voice in how the facility is run. “Our annual general meeting is coming up on May 29 at 10 a.m.,” said Dumont. “All members are welcome to attend and if you are wanting to be a member of the board, and you are 55-years-old or better as per our by-laws, this is an opportunity for you.” Please phone or email Chris at 204-857-6951 or email [email protected] if you are interested. 3 OPINION: Making strides to create a culture of organ donation May 2, 2019 In April, Manitoba marked National Organ and Tissue Awareness Week to highlight the need for more donors and raise awareness about Manitobans anxiously waiting for a donor match. In our province, Transplant Manitoba leads this campaign. This organization has made great strides toward building a culture of organ donation within our health-care system. They also ensure that resources are in place to provide care and support to the families who find themselves faced with difficult end-of-life decisions about organ donation. 2018 was a record year with more than 11,000 Manitobans registering their intent to become organ and tissue donors, inspired in part by Logan Boulet, the Humboldt Bronco player who had signed up as an organ donor just weeks before the horrific bus crash that claimed his life. Logan’s selfless decision ended up saving the lives of six people waiting on organ donation lists. While Manitobans are known for their generosity, still many Manitobans either do not fill out their donor card or neglect to make their wishes known to their families when it comes to organ and tissue donation. The Government of Manitoba formed a non-partisan task force last year to invite feedback from the public on how to increase organ donation registrations. The all-party task force, chaired by Brandon West MLA Reg Helwer, examined ways to improve donation rates in Manitoba and delivered a report to the Legislature which included an important recommendation that our government announced last week.