By: Winnipeg Tribune Staff Writer
WInnipeg, April 24, 2024 - Premier Wab Kinew unveiled plans to revitalize Victoria Hospital in southern Winnipeg, that will include a new drug treatment centre and a new Emergency Room.
The cornerstone of the project is the establishment of a new emergency room (ER) at Victoria Hospital, addressing a critical gap left by the closure of the previous ER in 2017. Premier Kinew emphasized the government's commitment to fulfilling this promise, citing the $635 million investment earmarked for capital projects in the health sector. Initial groundwork, including preliminary design work and project costing, is already underway, with construction slated to commence within two years pending staffing arrangements.
In addition to the new ER, the government announced plans to reopen the Mature Women’s Centre and introduce the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre at Victoria Hospital. The Mature Women’s Centre, which closed alongside the ER in 2017, will once again cater to the healthcare needs of women and gender-diverse individuals. Meanwhile, the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre will offer vital support for women battling addiction, with provisions for childcare ensuring family cohesion during treatment.
Scott Oake, speaking on behalf of the family of Anne Oake, expressed pride in the initiative, highlighting its alignment with Anne's legacy of compassionate care. The Recovery Centre, he noted, will prioritize accessibility by providing wraparound services to eliminate barriers to treatment.