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New Zones to Speed Up Manitoba ER Waits
25 Mar
Summary
- Manitoba's budget introduces new zones adjacent to ERs for faster specialist access.
- Cardiac and mental health zones are planned for St. Boniface and Health Sciences Centre.
- The government also plans to add alternate level care beds and 24/7 social workers.
Manitoba's provincial budget, released on Tuesday, March 25, 2026, outlines new measures to address prolonged emergency room wait times. A key initiative is the creation of specialized zones adjacent to ERs, designed to provide quicker access to specialists. These include a cardiac-care zone at St. Boniface Hospital and a mental health zone at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
The aim of these zones is to divert patients from the main ER waiting areas, ensuring they receive timely consultations. Finance Minister Adrien Sala acknowledged the significant work ahead but emphasized the budget's focus on these investments. This announcement follows public criticism regarding lengthy ER waits, including a recent death after an 11-hour wait at St. Boniface.
Further measures in the 2026-27 budget include $2.3 million for 32 alternate level care beds at Siloam Mission, intended for patients not requiring acute hospital care. Additionally, social workers will staff ERs and urgent cares around the clock to facilitate safe patient discharges.
Reactions to the budget have been mixed. While some measures are welcomed, the Opposition Progressive Conservatives questioned the focus on staffing and home care access. Doctors Manitoba urged physician consultation for implementation, noting potential shortages of specialists. The Manitoba Nurses Union highlighted that the root cause of long waits might be the bottleneck in discharging patients to long-term care facilities.
