Steinbach MLA and Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen, has announced that a new nursing station officially opened in Grand Rapids to ensure health-care services are available in the community.

“People in this community need access to high-quality health-care services, from primary and chronic disease care to diagnostics,” said Goertzen. “This new facility will ensure residents in Grand Rapids, Misipawistik Cree Nation and the surrounding area receive this care close to home.”

The new, 7,000-sq.-ft. health facility replaces the nursing station built in 1983 and includes:

  • three exam rooms;
  • a two-stretcher trauma room; and
  • offices for visiting professionals, such as physicians, mental health workers and regional diabetes program staff.

The province invested more than $8.2 million in the project including costs for development, construction, equipment and furniture, among others. An additional $1.2 million was provided for a traditional healing room in the attached federal building.

“The northern health region welcomes this investment in a northern First Nations community which supports the continuum of health-care services provided in the community of Grand Rapids,” said Helga Bryant, chief executive officer, Northern Regional Health Authority. “At the same time, it supports the staff providing care with an efficient, safe and technically modern place to provide those health-care services.”

In addition to primary care services, the facility offers digital x-ray services and a laboratory with digital connections, which will allow test results to be transferred electronically.

The community will also have the option to use the facility after hours for community meetings, cultural events and healthy living programs in the multi-purpose room and community kitchen. The Telehealth connections can also be used for educational or network activities.

“This facility will provide a higher quality of health-care services for the people of Grand Rapids and will eliminate gaps in health-care services that have existed here for so long,” said Mayor Robert Buck, Town of Grand Rapids. “The success of this facility will be based on its governance and the community input.”