The province is moving forward with its commitment to reduce the number of regional health authorities (RHAs) as the existing 11 regions were today officially merged into five new RHAs. This announcement was made by Health Minister Theresa Oswald.
“Today, Manitoba officially has less than half the number of regional health authorities than we did yesterday and we will redirect those administrative savings into supporting the front-line health care families depend upon,” said Oswald. “Streamlining administration by reducing the number of RHAs is one part of Manitoba’s Plan to Protect Universal Health Care, to ensure we have the health services families need as our population continues to increase and live longer.”
The boards of all 11 RHAs supported the merger plan, which has allowed it to move forward more quickly than originally anticipated, Oswald noted. A regulation under the Regional Health Authorities Act took effect today formally merging the 11 existing RHAs into five:
• Assiniboine, Brandon and Parkland RHAs have been merged into a new western RHA;
• Burntwood and NOR-MAN RHAs have been merged into a new northern RHA;
• Central and South Eastman RHAs have been merged into a new southern RHA;
• Interlake and North Eastman RHAs have been merged into a new Interlake-eastern RHA; and
• Winnipeg and Churchill RHAs have been merged and Churchill Health created as an operating division of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), recognizing the unique role Churchill plays in delivering health care to the far north.
Oswald said temporary interim boards comprised of senior Manitoba Health officials have been appointed to oversee the establishment of the new merged RHAs including beginning to merge the corporate structures and appointing the new CEOs. The existing WRHA board will serve as the interim board for the new combined Winnipeg-Churchill health region. Permanent RHA boards and CEOs are expected to be in place by the end of June and will continue to focus on reducing the number of senior corporate positions, further streamlining of RHA administrative functions and finalizing names for the new RHAs.
The minister added that other steps that would improve the functioning of RHAs are proposed in legislation currently being considered by the legislature including improved fiscal responsibility, tighter controls on executive compensation and strengthening RHAs’ responsiveness to local communities and patients. If the legislation is passed this spring, public consultations are expected this fall on new RHA requirements to give local communities and families a stronger voice and partnership in local health issues, Oswald said.
