Shared Health, Manitoba Regional Health Authorities, CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) and government partners have been working closely together to prepare for the possibility of a potential Dynacare labour disruption on September 8, 2026.

Manitoba’s health system is committed to ensuring Manitobans, including cancer patients, vulnerable populations and those currently in care, continue to have access to essential services. Extensive planning is underway to minimize the impact and ensure the continuity and coordination of essential laboratory services. Patient safety and access to care will continue to be prioritized. Emergency and time-sensitive diagnostic testing will continue, with testing prioritized according to clinical urgency and patient need. Where it is medically safe to do so, some elective or non-urgent testing may be delayed.

Patients should continue to follow the advice of their care providers and should seek reassessment if their clinical condition changes while waiting for diagnostic testing.

In addition to prioritizing laboratory testing based on clinical urgency and patient need, Shared Health will expand laboratory collection services in phases to help meet increased demand:

• Expanding capacity and hours: Capacity and hours will be expanded at select Shared Health Diagnostic Services locations.
• More appointment and collection spaces: Additional patient chairs will be added at select sites.
• Additional temporary spaces: If demand remains high, temporary collection locations may be added where suitable facilities are available and can meet patient needs.

Surgical patients who require bloodwork before an upcoming procedure should complete it as soon as possible, as Dynacare’s last collection time is noon on Saturday, Sept. 5. Patients should continue to attend all booked surgical appointments unless advised otherwise by their care team. Cancer patients will receive guidance from their physician about any required bloodwork.

Patients needing routine or non-urgent testing should go to appropriate diagnostic service locations and not to emergency departments or urgent care centres. Patients should visit the Shared Health website for the most up-to-date information, including laboratory locations and extended hours of operation.

Every reasonable effort is being made to minimize disruption to appointments and outpatient services and maintain safe, timely access to care. Shared Health is also mindful of the impact this situation may have on staff and care teams, who may experience additional pressures as they work to maintain services. Shared Health greatly appreciates their continued professionalism, flexibility and commitment to patients.

The situation is being monitored closely, and Shared Health, along with its Regional Health Authority partners including CCMB and government, will continue to adapt plans as circumstances change while the parties continue working toward a resolution. For updates and public information regarding the potential work stoppage, visit the Shared Health website.

Media contact:

[email protected]
431-276-7152

Recently, Lennie Rands stopped by the Portage District General Hospital with two large bags full of toys she purchased with the proceeds from her lemonade stand — all to help make hospital stays a little brighter for kids.

Lennie says she got the idea because, “I felt bad if they were bored and if I was in the hospital, I would want something to do.”

After delivering the toys, Lennie told us, “I felt very happy and very proud of myself! I hope the kids enjoy everything we got them.”

And this is just the beginning!

Lennie already has big plans to raise even more money next summer.

Lennie is a shining example of what it means to be a community ambassador — seeing a need, taking action and inspiring others through kindness and generosity. We are so grateful for her thoughtful gift and the difference she is making for children and families in the community of Portage la Prairie.

Thank you, Lennie, for reminding us that even the smallest idea can make a big difference!

We are excited to be releasing Southern Health-Santé Sud’s 2026 Population Health Assessment. This report, formerly known as Community Health Assessment, helps us understand the health challenges and strengths of the people that live in Southern Health-Santé Sud.

The Population Health Assessment, published approximately every five years, informs Southern Health-Santé Sud’s strategic and operational planning but also enables community-wide collaborative actions. Some high-level findings include:

Fastest Growing Population & Its Impacts

At almost 238,000 residents in 2025, Southern Health-Santé Sud’s diverse population has increased by 12% since 2020, the highest 5-year percentage growth in the province.  Looking forward, this momentum is expected to continue with an anticipated 19% increase by 2035, the largest projected growth in the province.

Population growth comes with a higher number of residents dying, living with chronic diseases, and experiencing some health events compared to previous time periods. Even when percentages or rates seem statistically stable, the higher number of people navigating these health experiences likely translates into added pressure to services in the community and health care system that support Southern Health-Santé Sud residents.

Variations and Health Inequities within the Region

The advantages of good health and the burden of poor health are not shared equally among us. Many of these differences can be explained by the conditions in which we are born, grow up, play, work, and live, as well as how we are treated. These differences often stem from unfair and avoidable conditions. Gaps still exist in different geographical and income areas within the region. The report explores some of the underlying conditions that contribute to these differences. More needs to be done to address the root causes of these inequities and the actions needed go beyond the health care system.

The 2026 Population Health Assessment has so much more information about the health status, determinants of health, and health system use of the people who live within the region. We invite you to read the full report English only. An Executive Summary is also available in English and French. Stay tuned for more highlights of the report!

Southern Health-Santé Sud is pleased to share that Hôpital Ste-Anne Hospital has reopened following a temporary closure caused by an air cooling system malfunction.

Repairs to the hospital’s cooling system have been completed, allowing patients and services to safely return to the facility. The hospital welcomed back patients and staff on Wednesday, July 22 with the resumption of the Emergency Department and lab and diagnostic services resuming on Thursday, July 23 at 8:00 am.

Hôpital
Ste-Anne
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Hôpital
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Hôpital
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We would like to extend heartfelt thanks to patients, families, staff, physicians, emergency responders, and community partners for their patience, understanding and support throughout this unexpected disruption. The collaboration and commitment experienced throughout ensured patients continued to receive safe, high-quality care while repairs were underway.

911 service has been successfully restored

Both wireless and landline emergency call services are available again.

Bell MTS is diagnosing an issue that may not allow 911 calls to be placed outside of Winnipeg. Within Winnipeg 911 services remain active. 

Please continue to dial 9-1-1 as your first option for medical emergencies. If you are not able to get through, the Manitoba Transportation Coordination Centre can be reached directly at: 204-625-2111.

Hôpital Ste-Anne Hospital will re-open to in-patients on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, following a temporary closure due to issues with the air cooling system. Transportation has been arranged for all patients returning to the hospital.

Lab and x-ray will reopen on Thursday, July 23 at 8:00 am

The Emergency Department will re-open on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Please refer to the Southern Health–Santé Sud website for current hours of operation.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who assisted during this time. Your dedication and hard work helped ensure that patient safety remained our top priority throughout this temporary closure.

Southern Health-Santé Sud advises the public that Hôpital Ste-Anne Hospital will be temporarily closed beginning July 13, 2026 as a result of a malfunction of the facility’s air cooling system. The work is necessary to maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and physicians, particularly with the extremely high temperatures that Manitoba is experiencing. While this repair is underway, the hospital will be temporarily closed and inpatient and outpatient services including diagnostics, same day procedures and emergency services will not be available at this site.

Patients requiring emergency medical care during the closure are asked to call 911 or proceed to the nearest available emergency department. Individuals seeking non-urgent medical care should contact their primary care provider, visit a local clinic, or call Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 for advice from a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, and/or physician on the most appropriate care options.

Patients with scheduled appointments or procedures that may be affected will be contacted directly if changes are required.

We recognize that this temporary closure is inconvenient and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we complete this important repair. Every effort is being made to complete the work as quickly as possible and safely resume services.

Updates will be provided as soon as more precise timing for reopening is known.