What’s Happening?
May 2026
We are delighted to bring you the 8th Edition of the Rat River Health Council 2008 Inc. (RRHC) ENewsletter. RRHC was established in 1994 by the community and for the community to pursue quality healthcare services. We proudly support and promote services provided by the De Salaberry District Health Centre, as well as those by private and non-profit organizations within the RM of De Salaberry, the Village of St-Pierre-Jolys and the RM of Ritchot.
FROM THE ST PIERRE MEDICAL CLINIC
About measles vaccines: Did you know that vaccines are free? They are generally for those who are born during or after 1985 who haven’t received two doses. In addition to medical clinics, you can see a pharmacist as they are authorized to vaccinate individuals from 2 to 19 years of age.
If you desperately need a same-day appointment, and can`t get one with us:
NEW: Medinav, an online app that allows you to book your own appointments at the Quick Care Clinic in Steinbach.
And more info from Southern Health – Santé Sud
Rat River Health Council
Monthly Meeting Highlights
ONGOING BOARD RECRUITMENT AND RURAL WEEK
Our Transition Board is busy meeting with the organizational members of our new Board, sector by sector. Recruitment is progressing with a first meeting being planned soon. We are encouraged by the enthusiasm, Thank you.
Rural Week will soon be here … end of May and beginning of June. This is when we get to introduce medical students to our communities and hope that they will return to practice. This year we will be welcoming two 1st year students studying in Manitoba and two students studying in Ottawa.
Community Engagement
The 3rd year nursing students` 2nd term project was informed by their work done in their 1st term, which is the development of a proposed Resource Navigator role: a non-clinical, community-based intervention designed to “reduce access friction, coordinate warm handoffs, and improve continuity of care.” Simply put, the Navigator is someone who helps residents find the resources that best meet their needs, in order to get well or stay healthy. We hope to have the funds in place soon to implement this new service for the benefit of our residents.
Community Engagement
Look for the
WALKING IS MEDICINE banners
in the 5 pharmacies in our region:
Ile des Chênes, St Adolphe, Ste Agathe, St Malo and St-Pierre-Jolys.
Thank you to the pharmacists for helping to promote a healthy activity. Prevention at its best!
Did You Know?
We encourage you to visit our on-line directory of health and wellness services. The goal is to provide easy access to services that are often unknown or not recognized as part of the system that helps keep us healthy. If you see any errors or omissions, please email us and we will gladly update. GO TO https://service.ratriverhealth.ca
Directory Feature
Yes, there is a university in our region! Providence University College and Theological Seminary is a 100-acre main campus in Otterburne. It is a leading Christian university where you can gain the skillsets and educational tools needed for a meaningful career! Between 1912 and 1954 it was an orphanage for boys. From 1954 to 1967, the Roman Catholic Church used it for a private secondary school known as St. Joseph College.
De Salaberry and Area
Stakeholders Group
Highlights of April Meeting
Local: Getting back our ‘H’ looking positive * Our municipalities share their growth and housing opportunities * Nursing vacancies low in hospital, and none in Repos Jolys.* Emergency Department stats: January 583; February 524; March 621; some hours closed due to over capacity. * Addition of two new Patient Safety Officers * Interpreter services available at St Pierre Medical Clinic.*Recruitment ongoing for De Salaberry District Health Centre with particular focus on bilingual opportunities
Regional: Creating Connections in our Communities gave 124 grants to empower individuals and communities to take an active role in their well-being * Donations have resulted in new Video Fluoroscopy for Rehab Services to evaluate individual`s swallowing capabilities in real time. * Rural Week helps with future recruitment opportunities by highlighting the great benefits of rural medicine. * Personal Care Homes giving spring Covid vaccines; updated application process and assessments.
Provincial: Manitoba Mental Health and Addictions Connect is one access point to community-based mental health for children and youth (adults soon) * Continuous efforts to increase vaccination rates * Hospital beds full across the province. * Manitoba is expanding its Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system to modernize, digitize, connect patient information in hospitals.
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Dr Rink is not retiring!
He will be relocating in St-Pierre-Jolys as Southern Health – Santé Sud plans for growth in their facility.
Did you know he has been practicing here for 47 years! Thank you Dr. Rink!
Other Community News
News
The Emergency Department Hours of Operation are updated on a bi-weekly basis on Southern Health – Santé Sud’s web site: https://southernhealth.ca/emergency-schedules/
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING PROGRAM
Social Prescribing can take various forms, but all involve connecting a patient based on their individual needs, to resources in their community. For example, a physician or nurse practitioner (and others) make a referral to the local Senior Resource Coordinator who will work with the client to identify community-based programs or services that can improve the client’s social connections, health and well-being.
ASK ABOUT IT AND EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS!
PUBLIC HEALTH – HEALTHY LIVING
Thanks to a grant from Public Health – Healthy Living, we have partnered with the 5 pharmacies in our region to promote the health benefits of walking.
Click for latest news, opportunities, grants… Community Updates – News and Opportunities