Bethesda Regional Health Centre Capital Expansion Complete!
The capital expansion project at Bethesda Regional Health Centre is now complete, marking a major milestone for health care in the community. The project was delivered on time and under budget, with construction spanning 31 months from start to finish.
The first phase of the expansion included the opening of a new renal dialysis unit, which has already enhanced access to specialized care for patients in the region.
The second and final phase adds a two-storey, 59,000-square-foot addition to the facility and introduces 15 new medicine & palliative care beds, a quiet room designed for cultural ceremonies and family gatherings, a new laboratory, and three state-of-the-art operating theatres.
Additional improvements include new shipping and receiving docks, a morgue, shell space for future development, and the refresh of eight rooms within the existing facility.
The project was partially funded by generous community contributions through the Bethesda Foundation, reflecting strong local support for expanded health services. The new spaces are expected to welcome their first patients in March 2026.
Bethesda Regional Health Centre
Nursing StationOperating TheatrePatient LoungeQuiet RoomRecovery Stations – Same Day SurgeryWaiting Area
Flexible, Client-centred Care Directly to Communities
Since September 2023, Mobile Withdrawal Management Services (MWMS) has been quietly transforming the way withdrawal and recovery support is delivered—by meeting participants exactly where they are, both physically and in their recovery journey.
Designed to remove traditional barriers to care, MWMS provides voluntary, short-term withdrawal management and recovery support to individuals aged 18 and over for any substance. Participants are referred to the program through a variety of pathways, including primary care providers, nurse practitioners, the RAAM clinic, emergency departments and urgent care facilities. The MWMS team makes initial phone contact within 72 hours of referral, followed by an in-person visit within 3 days of completing the phone intake, ensuring timely and responsive support during a critical period. The program’s guiding principle is simple: meet participants where they are. There are no geographic boundaries on where the team will travel within Southern Health-Santé Sud and participants have full autonomy to choose their meeting location—whether that’s their home, their vehicle or even another community entirely. Since the program’s inception, the team has travelled to 53 communities across the Southern Health-Santé Sud region, with the furthest location being South Junction.
MWMS is delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes a Health & Social Service Coordinator, Health & Social Service Worker, Recovery Health Nurses, Indigenous Community Support Worker, consulting Addictions Physicians and Peer Support Workers.
Together, they support a shared participant load of up to 16 individuals, working collaboratively to provide seamless care 365 days a year!
The team operates on weekends, statutory holidays and during peak times to ensure continuity of support when participants need it most. The core program runs for 30 days, during which participants receive daily phone check-ins and weekly in-person visits. For participants who choose to include peer support as part of their recovery, they can receive an additional 30 days with peer support following their time with MWMS. Throughout the program, the team follows the participant’s lead—supporting individualized goals that may include substance use reduction or complete abstinence.
Participation in MWMS is entirely voluntary. Participants remain in full control of their recovery goals and may leave the program at any time. There are no limits to the number of times any one individual can be referred, recognizing that recovery is not a linear process and that people may need support at different points in their lives.
Building trust and rapport is central to the team’s approach. With participant consent, families may also be involved, and the MWMS team can provide both peer and family support as part of the service. The team also offers psychoeducation to help participants connect with longer-term community resources, including counselling, medication management, as well as mental health and addictions supports.
When requested, MWMS works closely with primary care providers and community services to ensure continuity of care once the program ends. Future work will add additional supports to strengthen primary care capacity to deliver this follow‑up. Weekly team reviews ensure that all staff are aligned on participant needs and treatment planning, allowing any team member to step in at a moment’s notice to provide support.
By combining flexibility, compassion and clinical expertise, Mobile Withdrawal Management Services is helping redefine what accessible, client-centred recovery care can look like – one visit, one call and one relationship at a time.
Visit this link to learn more about Mobile Withdrawal Management Services and other Mental Health and Addictions supports available through Southern Health-Santé Sud.
Social Prescribing
A coordinated approach to care in which health providers connect clients with community resources to address social determinants of health, enhance well-being and improve overall health outcomes.
For example, through Social Prescribing, a Manitoba health care provider may refer a patient / client to a senior resource coordinator who will work with the client to jointly identify and consider community-based programs or services that can improve the client’s social connections, health and well-being.
Social Prescribing can take various forms, but all involve connecting a patient based on their individual needs, to resources in their community.
Who can make a Social Prescribing referrals in Southern Health-Santé Sud?
physicians and nurse practitioners
primary care providers
allied health practitioners
Seniors Consultation Team
Rehabilitation Services
Social Workers
Discharge Coordinators
Home Care Case Coordinators
Community Paramedics
Check with your health care provider to learn more or
how Social Prescribing can support your well-being!
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Feb 1-7, 2026, EDAW is an annual national movement, dedicated to raising awareness and fostering understanding about eating disorders while challenging the stigma and barriers that prevent access to care.
This year’s theme is…
We invite you and your community to challenge the harmful belief that thinness equals health. Messages rooted in diet culture, weight stigma and healthism can negatively impact how people view their bodies and their relationship with food. These ideas don’t just cause individual harm – they are part of broader systems that unfairly judge, exclude and marginalize those who don’t fit our society’s narrow appearance standards.
Let’s work together to promote body respect, inclusion and a more compassionate understanding of health. Learn more about the campaign and for more resources!
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
CDCP helps make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents of all ages and applications are open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria.
To support organizations’ outreach efforts, there is a Promotional Toolkit that includes fact sheets (available in 13 languages), posters, and social media content to support community engagement activities.
Pink Shirt Day | Feb. 25th
Opportunity for Schools and Youth Groups!
Participate in Pink Shirt Project: trains and motivates Canadian youth to create and implement projects that address issues of concern to them. Youth work together to discuss topics of interest, come together in a facilitated approach to decide what and how to improve their school and / or community.
Participants can send in a video of their project for potential inclusion on the Pink Shirt Day Canada show which happens annually on the last day of February!
The Business Council of Manitoba offers Indigenous Education Awards (IEA) that offers financial assistance to Indigenous students attending post-secondary education in Manitoba, providing a $3,000 annual award to help alleviate financial barriers during the academic year.
Applications are now open for 2026-2027. Find more information, and how to apply, here.
TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund (ICF)
The Telus ICF offers grant funding to Indigenous-led programs supporting Indigenous Peoples in Canada across all provinces and territories. Grants ranging from $5,000 – $25,000 are available.
Deadlines:
Spring: February 4 to March 4, 2026, or until the first 200 applicants are received.
Fall: September 10 to October 7, 2026, or until the first 200 applicants are received.
Healthy Together Now Impact Summary
In Southern Health-Santé Sud, Healthy Together Now (HTN) provides grant opportunities that promote health equity, prioritize groups that are underserved and supports structures that remove unfair and avoidable barriers to health.
Our Healthy Living Team has been summarizing the data for the 2022-2023 funding year with a grant theme of “Increasing Community Belonging”, chosen to encourage social connections in communities, as connection is a foundation to overall health and well-being. The following impacts were found:
93 projects funded
129 new partnerships established
$74,138 of in-kind support provided within communities
Projects helped support the following four HTN pillars:
93.5% supported mental well-being
58% supported physical activity
34.4% supported nutrition and healthy eating
4.3% addressed commercial tobacco reduction
We also received some highlights of what worked well:
participants developed new skills including leadership and teamwork
projects involved reducing barriers to access (eg. transportation, childminding, etc.)
friendships were strengthened – both new and existing
generous local donations and support from volunteers enhanced project delivery
Some future considerations groups reflected on were to:
expand language inclusivity to reduce barriers and reach more participants
ensure accessibility for all community members
plan for last minute changes (eg. Cancellations / participation rates)
“This project has been transformative for our community. Thanks to the generous support of Southern Health-Santé Sud (Healthy Together Now), we were able to create a space that celebrates cultural diversity, welcomes newcomers and honours the home languages of Indigenous peoples. By investing in the arts and fostering visibility for all, this initiative has made our community more inclusive and more connected. The cultural awareness it has sparked will continue to resonate, leaving a lasting legacy of belonging and shared understanding.”
Wancha Chanku Otakiya (One Path, Many Ways) – Portage la Prairie
Winter Walking Safety Tips
Walking is just one winter activity to get you moving! Regular physical activity during the winter months could include walking, snow shoeing, or shoveling.
Get creative and have fun this winter!
Benefits of walking:
improves mental, social and physical health; balance, posture and muscle strength
reduces the risk of heart disease, developing high blood pressure, improves diabetes indicators and improves bone health to reduce the risk of fractures from falls; and
it’s a great way to spend time with others!
Before walking:
monitor the forecast and plan ahead; dress in layers so you are prepared for changing winter weather; stay warm by wearing a hat, scarf and gloves
wear bright or reflective gear so you can be seen by drivers, cyclists and other walkers
choose warm, stable footwear — look for well-insulated and lightweight footwear with a non-slip sole
consider a cane or walking poles; use ice grippers on footwear when outside if you find that helpful
During your walk:
be aware of your surroundings and scan for hazards; black ice is often not visible to the eye
watch for ice, cracks and uneven or changing surfaces
walk on designated and clear paths; try walking with a friend; take your time and ask for help if needed
keep your hands out of your pockets to help stay balanced
After you walk:
assess how you feel… if you are sore, switch to shorter walks and gradually increase your walking time
dehydration is harder to monitor in the cold because thirst and sweat are less obvious; enjoy a glass of water and drink fluids consistently throughout the day… if drinking cold water in winter does not suit you, opt for warm water, broths or herbal teas to help maintain good fluid intake.
