Prairie Mountain Health holds Annual General Meeting
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) wrapped up its 12th full year of operations during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) October 30, 2024. PMH Board Chair Lon Cullen said reviewing fiscal year 2023-2024 allowed interested community representatives, health stakeholders and partners, staff and residents to learn more about the region’s strategic priorities, objectives and financial position.
“Communication with our partners and stakeholders regarding health care within our communities and region as a whole is a top priority,” Cullen stated. The AGM is another way we are able to provide a status report on PMH activities and an opportunity to keep residents and communities engaged at the same time.” recap
Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate says the AGM also provides the opportunity to reflect back on accomplishments, acknowledge the challenges and opportunities for improvement that lie ahead, and move forward with a focus on future program and service planning.
“We’re making great strides in several areas as our recent Accreditation Report notes although we know there is much more work to do,” Slate said. “We acknowledge and sincerely appreciate the commitment of our staff—our most valuable resource. They continue to give of themselves with unwavering dedication, care and compassion. To our staff, thank you for all that you do!”
This past year saw the region undergo its third national accreditation survey, which found PMH met 97 per cent of surveyed criteria. Other AGM highlights noted were:
- The Region focused on it’s Strategic Plan (2023-2028) that identified the health region’s four key priorities aimed at building a healthier population and creating a quality, integrated and sustainable health system through collaboration and informed-decision-making.
- Patient and family engagement, along with patient-centered care, remained key objectives for PMH.
- Several key capital projects were in varying stages, including construction on the new Neepawa Health Centre, clinical spaces renovations at Brandon and Dauphin Regional Health Centres and Western Manitoba Cancer Centre.
- A building addition for a new cancer care unit in Russell and enhanced space for a new CT Scanner in Swan River were finalized in the spring of 2024. Both of the projects received significant financial contributions from local communities.
- Emergency Department renovations in Virden, Killarney and Souris were completed. These refreshed treatment spaces now provide dedicated space for registration and triage, greater privacy, wayfinding and better sight lines for staff.
- Various recruitment and retention strategies for physicians, nurses and other health care-professionals remained a priority area and several activities to sustain, enhance and develop capacity within the workforce continued. The region has seen some recent recruitment success including new specialist and nurse practitioner hires.
- The region continues making strides on improving mental health and addictions services. Enhancements to in-house treatment services, support and treatment programs and community mental health improvements were continuing throughout the year.
- PMH’s Mobile Clinic passed a significant milestone in February, marking 10 years since the first primary care bus in the Province began providing access to services where some care barriers remain. Currently, the Indigenous communities of Birdtail Sioux First Nation, Ebb and Flow First Nation, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation and Keeseekoowenin First Nation receive regular visits. The communities of Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation, Skownan First Nation, Sioux Valley First Nation, Tootinaowaziibeeng First Nation and Waterhen also receive regular Nurse Practitioner services from Mobile Clinic providers.
- PMH experienced an operating deficit in 2023/24 of $29.7 million after having balanced its operating budget the previous year. This was largely related to the increase in salary expenses related to the use of agency and overtime to maintain current service levels. A financial accountability working group has been established to look at fiscal sustainability initiatives and cost savings opportunities going forward.
Complete 2023-2024 Annual Report