Public Health - Northern Health Region

Public Health services are community based throughout the Northern Health Region in diverse settings such as health centers, schools, day care centers, and other community sites.

Across the province, public health officials work together to protect the health of Manitobans in many ways such as monitoring different diseases and educating Manitobans on ways to protect their health. Public health serves the needs of individuals and families by providing information, guidance and support on topics such as pre- and post-natal care, infant nutrition, healthy child development, immunizations, sexually transmitted diseases and healthy living and disease prevention.

Public Health Programs and supports can be accessed by contacting your local Community Health Office. Please go to our locations page to look for Public Health services in your area.

Programs and Services

Diabetes Management and Support Program

Our Regional Diabetes Programs have Program Coordinators (Nurses) Diabetes Nurse Educators, Diabetes Dietitian Educators and strong partnerships with the MRSVP Retinal Screening Nurses.

Where are we located?

Our diabetes teams are based in Thompson and The Pas. Each program travels to provide services to the outlying communities within the region.

What can our program do for you?

The regional diabetes program offers client-centered care using motivational interviewing practices. We help with navigating the health care system and connecting individuals with available programs to meet their health care needs.

Our services include:

Guidance with management of diabetes by helping understand medications, lab work, and lifestyle modifications
Insulin education, support, and adjustment
Blood glucose monitoring, and continuous glucose monitoring (Dexcom, Freestyle Libre) set up, application, and help with understanding your readings
Nutrition counselling with registered dietitian
Complication screening
Foot screening
Retinal screening through the MRSVP program
Direct line of communication with primary care providers for optimal continuity of care

Families First Program

Families First is a voluntary referral service that invests in families from pregnancy to school entry, delivered across the province by public health. Building strong family relationships and connecting to resources that meet your needs are a couple objectives of Families First. Home visiting may be one of the options available to you. A home visitor will meet with you and your family on a regular basis. Families that are offered a home visitor can support positive parenting from pregnancy to school entry at no cost by:

providing information on health, safety and nutrition
learning through play
exploring solutions to challenging situations
providing information about pregnancy
getting health care for your family
connecting to community resources
supporting healthy growth, development and learning
building strong family relationships
sharing information about child development

The home visitor will support you in building a strong relationship with your child and family, while sharing information and suggesting activities to help your child grow up healthy and happy.

brochure.pdf (gov.mb.ca)

Families First | Child and Youth Programs | Province of Manitoba

FASD or Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD is a medical diagnostic term that describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual who was exposed to alcohol prenatally (Canadian Diagnostic Guidelines 2015). FASD is often referred to as a hidden or invisible disability because most people affected have no noticeable physical features. FASD can impair a person’s learning, physical, cognitive, behaviour and development. The effects of FASD are lifelong. Health Canada estimates that nine in every 1,000 children born in Canada have FASD. Below is information about FASD diagnostic services and supports available for caregivers with children/youth who have been exposed to alcohol prenatally.

Referral Process in Manitoba

The Manitoba FASD Centre will accept referrals for children up to the age of 18. A referral form must be completed and sent to one of the FASD Diagnostic Coordinators in your area. The referral criteria for assessment is based upon the 2015 Canadian Diagnostic Guidelines and includes:

Confirmed and reliable prenatal alcohol exposure information;
Consent from the child’s or adolescent’s legal guardian;
Identified developmental and learning concerns.

Should you have any questions regarding the criteria or the referral and assessment process, please contact one of the FASD Diagnostic Coordinators in your area.

Manitoba FASD Network Referral Form

Health Promotion and Food Safety

Health Promotion is how public health staff work to enable individuals and communities to increase, take control over and improve their health. It focuses on providing equal opportunities and resources to help people be as healthy as they can.
Health Promotion includes enhancing public policy, creating supportive environments for healthy living and strengthening community action towards active and engaged communities.

Food Safety

Thousands of people suffer from foodborne illnesses each year. Most foodborne illness is caused by bacteria, while some is caused by viruses, parasites or poisons produced by some bacteria or chemical that gets into our food. Bacteria, or germs, can multiply to millions within a few short hours at the right temperature. Since you cannot see, smell or taste the bacteria or germ, it is not always easy to determine if your symptoms have been caused by food. You can start feeling sick anywhere from hours to weeks after the food has been eaten. Most often, people get sick within a couple of days after eating food that has been contaminated. Symptoms of foodborne illness can include:

nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
fever
stomach cramps

Sometimes there can be long-term complications and even death. If you think you have a foodborne illness, visit your doctor and notify your local Community Health Office right away.

People most likely to become sick from contaminated food are

young children
seniors
pregnant women
people who are already unwell or have a decreased immune system

Helpful Links

Four steps to handling food safely

Public Health Inspectors

Immunization Program

Immunization has saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other medical intervention. Immunization is one of the safest and most effective health interventions and your best defense against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Immunizations are also called vaccinations, needles, or shots. Vaccines help the body’s immune system to recognize and fight bacteria and viruses that can cause disease.

Why are vaccines important?

Vaccines help protect children and adults from serious disease that can make them very ill, cause long-lasting health problems, or even death.

Many vaccines preventable diseases are now rare in Canada because of vaccines. Harmful bacteria and viruses still exist; therefore, it is still important to keep up to date with recommended routine immunizations.

Immunizations help to protect children, adults, and the whole community. The more people in a community who are immunized, the harder it is for a disease to spread. This type of protection is called community (or heard) immunity.

Community immunity helps keep disease rates low and helps protect the most vulnerable among us, including babies, people undergoing certain medical treatments, and people with weakened immune systems.

Publicly funded vaccines are available to residents of Manitoba based on the Manitoba Immunization Schedule. This schedule outlines the routine immunizations recommended for infants, children and adults. These vaccines are available from multiple health-care providers in the Northern Health Region.

Flu vaccinations for those age six months and up begin in late October of every year.
Infant and childhood vaccines are primarily provided by public health nurses.
School entry vaccines are recommended prior to the start of kindergarten and are available from public health nurses.
School-based immunizations are primarily provided by public health nurses in schools. These programs are offered in grades 6 and 8.
Adult immunizations are provided by various health-care providers including public health, primary care, nurse practitioners and pharmacies. For further information, see the Recommended Immunization schedule for adults.
Every fall, public health nurses host numerous influenza immunization clinics across the region, offering free flu shots available to everyone.
All people in Manitoba six (6) months and older are eligible for Covid-19 vaccination. For further information see Covid-19 vaccine eligibility, proof of vaccination and vaccine finder.

Preparing your child

Childhood immunizations are important, but they can be scary for some children. Helping your child to get ready for their needle can help reduce that fear.

Consider bringing something to keep your child’s mind off the vaccination, such as a game, book, music or video.

If you or your child have fears or anxiety about vaccination, reach out to your health care provider before the appointment for options that might help.

For a more comfortable vaccination experience, try the following strategies:

Comfort your child by holding and talking to them during the vaccination.
If you are nursing, try feeding your baby or child right before, during or after the vaccination. This will help to comfort them.
Be calm. Your child may react to your emotions. When you are calm and positive, they’ll be more at ease.
Your soothing voice or touch can help comfort your child, as can a favorite toy, story or song.

Did you know? You can use the CARD system (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) to find more strategies to help improve the vaccination experience. Learn more about CARD for Parents | immunizecanada

Other resources that may be helpful include:

Pain Management During Immunizations for Children | immunizecanada

Factsheet-Children under 3_ENG_01 (immunize.ca)

Parent’s Guide to Vaccination – Canada.ca

Before leaving the clinic

Request the health care provider record the vaccination in your child’s personal vaccination record. If you don’t have one for your child, ask for one.

Make an appointment for your child’s next vaccination

You will be asked to wait for at least 15 minutes after the vaccination to make sure your child doesn’t have an allergic reaction. Serious allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. Signs of a serious allergic reaction may include:

Breathing problems (wheezing)
Swelling of the face, tongue or throat
Red rash on the skin (hives)

If you think your child is experiencing a serious allergic reaction, alert a staff member at the clinic right away. They have medication on hand to manage allergic reactions.

Immunization after-care

Sometimes after vaccinations, children can:

be fussy
have a mild fever
be sleepier than usual
have pain, swelling or redness where the injection was given

These reactions are normal and usually go away within a few days. You can give your child medication to help with the pain or to lower a fever if needed. Check with your child’s health care provider if you need advice about which medication to use.

Contact your child’s health care provider or seek medical attention if:

your child has symptoms that are getting worse or not going away
you’re worried for any other reason
Report any severe or unexpected reactions to your doctor or public health nurse.

Learn more about: Vaccine safety and possible side effects

Immunization records

Your immunization record should include a list of all the vaccines you have received. A complete immunization record lets your health care provider know which vaccines you may be due or overdue to receive, based on Manitoba’s routine immunization schedule Routine Immunization Schedules | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)

Immunization records for Manitoba residents are maintained in a secure, integrated electronic immunization registry, which is called the Public Health Information Management System, or PHIMS.

If you have received any immunization in another province or outside of Canada, they are not automatically added to your record here in Manitoba. Submit a copy of your immunization records to Manitoba Health or your local Public Health Office.

To submit a copy of your immunization records to Manitoba Health complete the following eForm. https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/div/records.html

How to get a copy of your immunization record

You can get a copy of your immunization record from Manitoba Health by submitting a request via the immunization update request form and it will be mailed to you. https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/div/records.html
You can also get a copy by contacting your local public health office.

The Manitoba Immunization registry was started in 1988. Immunizations provided prior to 1988 are unlikely to be included in Manitoba Health’s official registry. Check for paper records at home or with your local health care provider.

Prenatal to Early Years

Prenatal

Your local public health nurse is an excellent resource as you start your family and seek the best information on caring for and parenting your children. Contact your local public health nurse at a Community Health Office near you. Community Health Office locations can be found on our Find Us page.

Please click on links below for more information:

Birthing Experience – Northern Health Region Brochure

Making Connections- You and Your Growing Baby

Manitoba Prenatal Benefits

Becoming a Parent – Manitoba Parent Zone

Baby Be Healthy: Our prenatal services

Breastfeeding Your Baby

Breastfeeding Basics – Northern Health Region Brochure

Getting Help with Breastfeeding

Baby Friendly Manitoba (Information for Parents)

10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed

10 Valuable Tips for Successful Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Your Baby

Hand Expression

Paced Bottle Feeding

About Breastfeeding

Increasing Breastmilk Supply for Mothers

Feeding Your Breastfed Baby 6 months – 1 Year

NRHA Breastfeeding Supports

International Breastfeeding Centre

Bringing Baby Home

Safe Baby Wearing

Safe Sleeping for Your Baby

Routine Immunization Schedule

Families First

Postpartum Mental and Emotional Health

Postpartum home visits — what to expect when you get home
The Public Health Nurse in your area will contact you by phone after you are discharged from the hospital. A home visit may be offered to provide further support on feeding your infant, infant growth and development, maternal and family questions or other concerns.
If you need to speak to someone outside of normal business hours, you can call a registered nurse at Health Links toll-free 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-888-315-9257 for any health-related questions. In an emergency, always call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI), Reproductive Health & Harm Reduction

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are among the most widespread infections in the world and affect both men and women. Two-thirds of all STIs occur in people younger than 25 years old. In Canada, reported rates of some STIs have increased significantly among middle-aged adults (40-59 years) over the past decade.

What are some Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections?

How do you get an STI?

Exposure to an STI can occur any time you and a partner have sexual contact that involves the genitals, mouth (oral) or rectum (anal). Exposure is more likely if you have more than one sex partner and if you don’t use condoms.
Some STIs can be passed by non-sexual contact like sharing needles.

What’s the big deal?

Women: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes, can result from a sexually transmitted infection. PID scar tissue can lead to infertility or issues with pregnancy, sores or pain that won’t go away.
Men: There is a risk of penis infection and inflammation.

Where can I get tested?

Connect with a Public Health Nurse in your community by contacting your Community Health Office.

If you are unable to visit your nearest testing facility, Home Visits can be arranged with a Public Health Nurse.

Flin Flon Primary Care Center: 204-687-1350
The Pas Primary Health Care Center: 204-623-9650
Thompson Public Health Center: 204-677-5350

What can I expect when getting tested?

Women: A urine sample and/or a swab from the cervix for chlamydia and gonorrhea and a swab from the vaginal wall for yeast, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. A pap smear may also be included in the exam. Blood tests are done for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis.

Men: A urine sample or a swab inside the penis for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Blood tests are done for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis.

Blood Test: Blood tests are done for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis. Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea can be done with a urine sample or swabs can be collected from the cervix, penis or anus. Swabs from the vaginal wall can also be collected for yeast, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. A pap smear may also be included in the exam.

HIV Testing

HIV testing (by name or coded number) and other STI testing is available at ALL physician clinics, community clinics and hospitals in Manitoba. All services are confidential and free. For more information, visit HIV Testing | Health | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)

Is there treatment?

There is treatment for some STIs but not all of them. If you’re treated and get better, you are not protected from getting an STI again in the future.

If you do have an infection, treatment can be started on the same day. Treatments for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are provided free of charge. Over-the-counter medications may be suggested for some conditions. Prescriptions for treatment of initial herpes outbreaks may be available, and hepatitis vaccination may be offered to clients at risk.

STI Prevention

Regular STBBI testing, every 6 months or with new partners.
Practice safer sex. Condom use reduces the risk of the transmission of STIs.
Avoid sexual contact or activity if you or a partner have symptoms of an STI or are being treated for an STI.
Know your risk increases if you have multiple sex partners at the same time
Don’t share needles, pipes, straws/bills or piercing equipment, or sex toys

Free safer sex supplies are available at your local Public Health Offices and Clinics

Resources

Sexandu.ca
Sexuality Education Resource Centre of Manitoba
Rainbow Resource Centre– serving Manitoba’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two spirit and queer+ communities
Sex Friendly Manitoba – Your Questions about Sexually Transmitted Infections, Answered! (ninecircles.ca)– interactive online up-to-date information about sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections

Teen Youth Health and Wellness Services

Clinics in the region address the unique questions and health concerns that today’s teens have. All clinics are drop-in for youth aged 12 to 25. No appointment is necessary. Services are free and confidential. Some school-based clinics have been relocated to primary health care clinics. Virtual appointments may be available.

Staff at the clinic may include

a nurse practitioner
a public health nurse or connections to public health
a primary care nurse
clerical support
volunteers
connections to mental health

Services available

A PAP exam
Information on reproductive health
Prescriptions/refills for birth control (pills, Depo needle)
Sexual advice and sexually transmitted infection testing
Health information on topics such as addictions, mild infections, abusive relationships, healthy eating
Immunizations
Pregnancy testing and counselling
Plan B pill
Harm reduction and safe supplies
Treatment of minor illness and pain
Referrals to mental health and other specialists
A safe place to talk about stress, depression, relationships, LGBT2SQ+ and whatever else is on your mind!

Why

We understand that some teens are hesitant to get help when they need it or too busy with after-school activities to get to the doctor. We want to make it as easy as possible for teens to get the help they need.

Is It confidential

YES! Services are confidential. The only people that will know you use the clinic are the health-care providers.

One exception to the confidentiality policy

When an individual is at risk of harm or abuse by themselves or someone else and requires protection.

Travel Health

The Northern Health Region provides travel health services to children aged six years and younger. If you are planning to travel with your child(ren) internationally, there may be recommended and/or required vaccinations for your destination country.

Parents can expect to learn about common diseases and risks that exist in their destination country and how to prevent and reduce those diseases and risks. The travel health nurse will provide parents with the recommendations for vaccines and parents will advise the nurse what they would like their child(ren) to receive.

The Northern Health Region’s travel health services are not a full-time service. It is recommended that parents call at least eight weeks prior to anticipated travel date in order to ensure the assessment and vaccine(s) can be completed and administered in a timely manner. In order for the nurse to complete a travel health assessment, the following information is required:

Name or names of children ages six and younger who are traveling
Date of birth and nine-digit health card number
Travel destination, including countries they may be traveling through (layovers)
Departure date and length of trip
Pharmacy of choice
Purpose of trip
Time of the year
Medical conditions (if any)
Primary care provider (if any)
The best phone number you can be reached at

Travel health is a non-insured benefit. Please check with your insurance provider to see what is covered. The costs associated with travel health are below:

SERVICES	FEE
First visit per child (Resort/Cruise)	50.00
First visit per child (Destinations excluding resort)	75.00
Subsequent or return visit per child	30.00
Mantoux visit	25.00
Malaria/Altitude Prescription Referral	30.00
Administration of vaccines (not publicly funded)	25.00

*Please note that public health no longer keeps travel vaccines in stock. It is the parent/guardians responsibility to cover costs/pickup of vaccine(s) at pharmacy of preference. A follow up appointment for vaccine injection after pickup must be made by the parent/guardian at local public health office.

Northern Health Region Travel Health Services can be reached by calling any of the following locations:

Public Health-Thompson Telephone: (204) 677-5350

Public Health-The Pas/Snow Lake Telephone: (204) 623-9650

Public Health-Flin Flon Telephone: (204) 687-1350

Links – Information for the Public:

Out-of-Province Coverage

Public Health Agency of Canada

Travel Health Advisories

Health Recommendations from the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT Statements)

Guidelines for the Practice of Travel Medicine (CATMAT)

International Reports from Public Health Authorities

Travel Clinics across Canada