Public Health
Public Health staff provide support to individuals, families and communities to promote and protect health and prevent disease and illness across the Prairie Mountain Health region.
Check out all our public classes, workshops and clinics.
- Healthy Babies
- Healthy Communities
- Healthy Families
- Healthy Seniors
- Healthy Sexuality
- Healthy Teens
- Office Locations
- Travel Health
Prenatal Services
Talk to a Public Health Nurse – If you have questions about pregnancy and birth, please contact your local Public Health Office. A Public Health Nurse will speak with you, to provide information and resources.
Education is also available in Spanish and Mandarin.
Baby’s Best Chance – Parent’s Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care. Baby’s Best Chance is a Canadian Prenatal resource. This handbook covers pregnancy, labour and delivery, breastfeeding, postpartum changes, and parenting.
BRHC Prenatal Mother Baby Unit Virtual Tour – A 20 minute video of the Mother Baby Unit located at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.
This virtual tour takes you through the journey of when you go into labour, arriving at the hospital to being discharged and the follow up care you can access once you are home.
Healthy Baby Program – A drop in program where you can ask questions about pregnancy and learn about prenatal health, meet other parents, enjoy a healthy snack and do activities. These sessions are available in communities throughout PMH. Explore our Public Classes page and view the latest Healthy Baby schedule.
Additional Resources
Midwifery Services
Read more about Midwife services in Prairie Mountain Health.
Postpartum Support
Public Health Nurses throughout Prairie Mountain Health provide support, assessment and education to new families through telephone contact and/or home visits after leaving the hospital. The nurse provides support and information to new mothers and families on maternal and infant care, breastfeeding, infant feeding, attachment, parenting and family adjustment.
For more information, please contact your local Public Health Office.
Child Health Clinics
Public Health Nurses provide education and counselling regarding child care, nutrition, safety, breastfeeding, parenting and community resources. Immunization is offered according to the Manitoba childhood immunization schedule. Immunization is offered according to Manitoba’s Routine Immunization Schedule for Infant’s and Pre-school Children.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact your local Public Health Office.
Immunization Information
Nutrition and Feeding Information
- Feeding Your Breastfed Baby, 6 Months – 1 Year (MB Health) – English | French
- Feeding Your Baby, 6 Months – 1Year (MB Health) – English | French
Breastfeeding Support
Public Health staff promote and support breastfeeding families. Many Public Health staff have specialized training related to breastfeeding.
Health Canada recommends infants receive only breastmilk until 6 months of age, and that breastfeeding with appropriate complimentary foods continues up to two years of age and beyond.
Breastfeeding is healthy, free, natural, and convenient. Breastmilk contains antibodies that lower the chance of your baby getting sick.
Contact your local Public Health Office for a Public Health Nurse.
For more information on breastfeeding your baby, please see the following resources:
- Breastfeeding Monthly: April 2016 Breastfeeding and Baby’s Teeth
- Getting Help with Breastfeeding (MB Health)
- Breastfeeding – Your Baby’s First Food (MB Health)
- Breastfeeding – Baby Friendly Manitoba Strategy (MB Health)
- 10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed Your Baby (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Healthy Baby Program
The Healthy Baby Program supports pregnant women and parents with babies up to one year of age through the Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit and Community Support Programs.
Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit
Families may be eligible to receive a monthly cheque to assist with the purchase of healthy foods throughout pregnancy.
Community Support Programs
Healthy Baby groups are offered in many communities throughout Prairie Mountain Health. They provide support and information sessions for pregnant women and families with children less than one year of age. Childminding for older children may be available. Healthy Baby community support programs also offer a healthy snack and milk coupons (up to 16 litres) for prenatal women and postnatal families with babies up to six months of age.
Please visit Healthy Child Manitoba for more information on sessions near you and/or an application for the Prenatal benefit.
For more information, please contact your local Public Health Office.
Families First
Families First focuses on building strong family relationships, enhancing parenting skills, fostering healthy growth and development, and connecting families to resources. The Families First program offers information to the prenatal and preschool population on parenting, growth and development, early child development, attachment, health, safety and nutrition. Some families are offered a home visiting program where ongoing contact and support can occur for up to 3 years in the home. This service is available for families with children prenatal to 5 years of age.
Learn More: Healthy Child Manitoba – Families First
Please contact your local Public Health Office for more information about services and resources for your family.
Parent Child Coalition Program Partnerships
Parent Child Coalitions are funded by Healthy Child Manitoba. Coalitions bring together individuals and organizations that have a vested interest in healthy families and optimal child development and are interested in working with parents, caregivers and service providers to support families and their children.
Coalitions support existing programs and activities within communities and initiate new activities that reflect each community’s diversity and unique needs.
Coalitions offer parent-child programs for families with children 0-5 years old, which focus on learning and literacy, physical activity and nutrition, and parenting.
Learn More online:
Learn About Coalitions in or close to Your Community
| Assiniboine North Coalition (Hamiota) | 204-764-2412 ext.220 |
| Better Beginnings North Parkland Parent Child Coalition | 204-734-4531 |
| Parkland Healthy Child Coalition | 204-638-6256 |
| Years Parent Child Coalition (Assiniboine South) | 204-534-2494 ext.240 |
Communicable Disease Follow Up
Communicable diseases are a group of illnesses that can spread and make you very sick. You can acquire these diseases from food, water, animals and sometimes other people.
The communicable disease program in Prairie Mountain Health provides education as well as appropriate follow-up of these illnesses.
Emergency Disaster Planning
Public Health Staff work with all health programs and other service organizations to offer care and support in times of disasters or emergencies, such as evacuations related to flood or fire.
Environment Health Services
In coordination with the Health Protection Unit (Manitoba Health), the following programs & services are provided by Public Health Inspectors within the Prairie Mountain Health region:
- Arena air quality
- Communicable Diseases (Field investigations)
- Food Safety
- Health Protection Reports (public Disclosure systems)
- Personal Service Facilities
- Recreational camps
- Safe Housing
- Smoking in Public Places
- Swimming pool safety
For further details and to contact an office near you, please refer to the Health Protection Unit website.
Healthy Schools
Public Health Staff partner with schools to promote healthy school environments.
Immunization
This program manages the delivery of immunizations throughout the life span based on Manitoba Health’s Routine Immunization Schedule. It coordinates the delivery of flu clinics and works with other programs in the event that mass immunization clinics are required.
Call your Public Health Office to inquire about flu clinics and other immunization clinics.
Prairie Mountain Inter-Agency Hoarding Coalition (PMIHC)
The PMIHC is comprised of a variety of agencies within the Prairie Mountain Health region.
PMIHC provides collaborative leadership, assessment and coordination to respond to and prevent incidents of severe hoarding or domestic squalor. Where feasible, PMIHC will organize and provide public education about hoarding, disseminate contact information and offer support to families coping with incidents of hoarding and domestic squalor.
Currently, the Coalition secretariat office is located in the Brandon Provincial Building. Inquiries can be made directly to:
- The PMIHC Secretariat Office
c/o Health Protection Unit
Room 349, 340 – 9th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6C2
204-726-7001
Public Health Notices / Public Health Inspectors
Public Health Staff work with Public Health Inspectors as required regarding communicable diseases associated with food borne illnesses.
Immunization
This program manages the delivery of immunizations throughout the life span based on Manitoba Health’s Routine Immunization Schedule.
It coordinates the delivery of flu clinics and works with other programs in the event that mass immunization clinics are required.
Call your Public Health Office to inquire regarding flu clinics and other immunization clinics including immunizations for pre-school children.
Preschool Wellness
Growth and development assessments are offered by Public Health Nurses.
Please contact your local Public Health Office to schedule an appointment.
School Health
Public Health Nurses promote health and prevent injury and illness through provision of communicable disease follow-up and immunization services.
Triple P – The Positive Parenting Program
Many Public Health Staff are trained Triple P practitioners. The Positive Parenting Program uses a helpful, practical approach to raising children that focuses on the positive.
Triple P uses strong, nurturing relationships, good communication and positive attention to help children. Trained practitioners can provide support to families with regards to their child’s behaviour and encourage positive parenting.
Contact your local Public Health Office nurse to discuss positive parenting skills and arrange for a one to one discussion.
Healthy Sexuality
Public Health supports clients by sharing information about healthy sexuality and reproductive health choices.
A Public Health Nurse can provide education and support to prevent, test for and treat Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s). Condoms are provided at all Public Health Offices and are easily accessible.
Call your local Public Health Office for more information.
Immunization / Vaccines
This program manages the delivery of immunizations throughout the life span based on Manitoba Health’s Recommended Routine Immunization Schedule.
It coordinates the delivery of flu clinics and works with other programs in the event that mass immunization clinics are required.
Call your local Public Health Office to inquire about flu clinics and other immunization clinics in your area.
Get the shot, not the flu!
Reproductive Health
The Reproductive Health Program supports clients by sharing information about healthy sexuality and reproductive health choices.
A Public Health Nurse can provide education and support to prevent, test for and treat Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBIs). A nurse can also assist clients to access sexual health clinics where available.
The Reproductive Health Program provides free hormonal contraception to eligible women. Condoms are provided at all Public Health Offices and are easily accessible.
Call your local Public Health Office to inquire if you are eligible for the program free of cost and free counseling related to healthy sexuality.
Transgender Health
The Trans Health Clinic provides inclusive care in an environment that is respectful of clients’ identity and self-expression. It supports the specific health needs of the transgender population.
For information or to book an appointment, please call 204-578-2513 to speak to a Public Health Nurse.
Immunization
Immunizations (vaccines) help protect individuals against serious diseases and are very safe. Public Health Nurses immunize youth in clinics and schools.
This program coordinates the delivery of immunizations throughout the life span based on Manitoba Health’s Routine Immunization Schedule.
Call your local Public Health Office to inquire regarding your immunization needs.
Reproductive Health/Healthy Sexuality
Services offered within the Reproductive Health program include access to reproductive health choices, education related to healthy sexuality, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, and access to sexual health clinics.
Reproductive Health services are offered to teens who cannot afford to buy birth control.
Call your local Public Health Office to inquire if you are eligible for the program free of cost and free counseling related to healthy sexuality
Teen Clinics
Teen Clinics are offered in some high schools throughout Prairie Mountain Health. The teen clinic provides education, counseling to teens in a confidential environment about any health issue of their concern.
Call your local Public Health Office to inquire about teen clinic availability in your area or visit the websites below:
- Teen Clinics in our region: Brandon | Regional
- Teen Clinics in Manitoba: www.teenclinic.ca
- Teen Talk website: www.teentalk.ca
Transgender Health
The Trans Health Clinic provides inclusive care in an environment that is respectful of clients’ identity and self-expression. It supports the specific health needs of the transgender population.
For information or to book an appointment, please call 204-578-2513 to speak to a Public Health Nurse.
Going on Vacation? Planning a trip abroad?
The travel health clinic located in the Brandon Town Centre offers clients advice on recommended vaccines based on their travel destination.
We also administer the vaccines at the client’s request. The program also provides counseling as to how to best protect oneself when travelling, for example the use of insect repellent or mosquito nets.
The travel health team provides health information and immunizations to individuals travelling to foreign countries or working in professions that require adult immunizations for their occupation or educational requirements. Brandon Regional Health Authority offers pre-travel service for all travelers who want to stay healthy and enjoy their journey.
A Travel Health Nurse will provide consultation, education and immunization tailored to your travel destination.
It is best to book an appointment 6-8 weeks before travel. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
Call to book an appointment: 204-578-2521
*Please leave a message and your call will be responded to within 24-48 hours.
We provide:
- Information on all health risks according to the country or region you will be travelling to
- Immunization services; including Yellow Fever vaccinations
- Information about preventing travel related illnesses, including malaria
Although most vaccines can be given on short notice, vaccines need time to become effective and provide you protection from disease. Some vaccines need to be given in a series and scheduled a month apart.
There is a fee for this service.
- Travel Health Clinic service fees are charged for each visit for all individuals or families for consultations, immunizations and official documentation.
- Clients meeting the eligibility criteria for immunizations provided free of charge by Manitoba Health will also be provided these immunizations at the Travel Health Clinic at no charge.
- Service for groups that are travelling together may be requested. (For example groups of 5 or more travelling to the same place at the same time or an occupational group.) We ask that every one commit to attending at the same clinic appointment time.