Dr. Nowasad joining physician team in Rivers
- Details
- Published on Thursday, October 18, 2012
By: Gary Pomeroy
myWestman.ca
Rivers Health Action Committee (HAC) has two major priorities. The first one is to acquire and retain physicians for Riverdale Health Centre.
The centre is allowed a complement of four physicians but has been functioning with only 1.4 physicians, Drs. Mandeep Dhaliwal and Anita Vermaak. Although we have been fortunate to have some supplemental coverage from Souris (Drs. Wasef and Ziada), this does not replace the stability of a permanent full-time physicians for Rivers and area.
HAC has had numerous discussions with Assiniboine, and now the new Prairie Mountain Regional Health Authority, concerning the physician deficiency; HAC will continue to stress that it is imperative that we have the appropriate complement of physicians to service the needs of our health centre.
Rivers HAC is very pleased to announce that effective Oct. 16, Dr. Heather Nowasad will be joining the physician team in Rivers on a part-time locum basis (three days per week).
The second priority involves an addition proposal (multi-purpose room) for Riverdale Health Centre.
The rehab unit has proven to be very successful but it is in desperate need of increased space. The proposed addition would provide a new area for rehab patients for group dining, exercises and activities.
All activities support the patients and promote their goals of becoming more independent and to regain their optimal health.
HAC has obtained from ARHA: a letter of support for the addition; a recap of patients’ comments of the rehab unit, stressing the lack of space and privacy; a rehab unit summary including discharge outcomes, length of stay and occupancy rates for the past three years.
Preliminary plans and budgets for the addition have also been received from Prairie Mountain RHA. With all of this important information we have attended meetings with MP Merv Tweed and MLA Leanne Rowat to discuss possible funding options.
Rivers HAC will continue to work on these two major priorities to achieve a beneficial outcome for the people of Rivers and area.
