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This week’s Vitals is 1,185 words or a 4 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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Remembering Dr. Ron Maier: We join HSC emergency physicians in mourning the death of Dr. Ron Maier, a long-serving and well-respected colleague who passed away unexpectedly last Friday.
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Let’s Fix Referral and Consultation Woes: We know there is tremendous room for improvement to save both referring and consulting physicians time and stress. Join us October 31 for a summit we’re hosting in partnership with CPSM and Shared Health. Let’s fix this together!
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Record Increase of Physicians: A new CPSM report out today shows Manitoba saw a record net gain of 164 physicians last year, a major step toward addressing our physician shortage. However, only 23% of all new physicians were trained in Manitoba, demonstrating the need for stronger retention efforts, and specialists only made up a third of the increase which also requires further attention.
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Respiratory Illness Webinar Recap: Our colleagues at Public Health discussed this year's influenza, COVID-19 and RSV outlook, vaccine products, eligibility criteria, ordering procedures and more. We’ve got the key takeaways.
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Manitoba Expands RSV Program for Infants: Starting October 1, all infants born during the respiratory season will receive one dose of nirsevimab. Plus there’s a high risk program for others.
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Ontario Physicians Receive Arbitrated Settlement: We are carefully reviewing the new Ontario Agreement, as we do with any advancement across Canada, as we prepare to negotiate the next Physician Services Agreement here in Manitoba.
Plus, membership renewal is due today! Late fees will be applied on invoices not paid by Friday, October 3. Click here to renew your membership and claim your rebates (log-in required).
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Remembering Dr. Ron Maier
Late last week, we learned of the sudden death of long-serving and well-respected Health Sciences Centre ER physician Dr. Ron Maier. Dr. Maier has been described by colleagues as an exceptional physician whose "kindness, wisdom, and dedication to patients and colleagues left an indelible mark."
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Let’s Fix Referral and Consultation Woes
Whether you are sending or receiving referrals or requisitions, we know there is tremendous room for improvement to save both referring and consulting physicians time and stress. Join us on October 31 for a special event, our Referral and Consultation Summit, to discuss the challenges for physicians collaborating on patient care, and the solutions needed to make it work better. The Summit is being planned by Doctors Manitoba, held in partnership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons and Shared Health Manitoba, demonstrating recognition from all partners on the need to improve the process and work together on solutions.
Learn more and register today!
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Record Increase of Physicians
Manitoba saw a net gain of 164 physicians in 2024-2025, according to a new annual report released today by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba. It’s a new record, far surpassing last year’s net increase of 133 physicians. The news is good overall and reflects our collective work over the last 4 to 5 years to advocate for more training, recruitment and retention efforts.
At the same time, we are concerned about what this report says about retention. Only 23% of all new physicians last year received their medical training in Manitoba. We are committed to continuing our work with partners at the University of Manitoba, Shared Health, RHAs and Manitoba Health on strategies to make way for more improvements.
Read our full analysis here.
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Respiratory Illness Webinar Recap
We hosted a webinar last week on the upcoming respiratory illness season in partnership with Dr. Brent Roussin and the team from Manitoba Public Health. Vaccine uptake has been trending down in the last year, so physicians are being strongly encouraged to help improve vaccine confidence and uptake.
Physicians are reminded to offer both COVID and flu vaccines in their clinics, and to recommend patients receive both at the same time. Higher risk groups remain a top priority.
View key takeaways and important resources here.
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Manitoba Expands RSV Program for Infants
The Manitoba government is expanding its RSV program to ensure all infants born during the respiratory season will receive nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody that requires only one dose for five to six months of protection. This respiratory season, all newborns born October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, will be eligible for vaccination. For high-risk infants and children outside of this newborn group, the Manitoba High-Risk RSV Prophylaxis Program will follow and provide doses.
Learn more about the new guidelines here.
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Parkland Outreach Trip
Last week, Doctors Manitoba staff and President Dr. Nichelle Desilets visited physicians in western Manitoba, including Dauphin, Russell, Swan River, Minnedosa, and Neepawa. This was part of our continued outreach to visit physicians where they work, hear what concerns they have in their practices, and where Doctors Manitoba can help.
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New to Practice Seminar
Are you in your first five years of practice in Manitoba, or your last year of residency? Join our Early Career Webinar! The session will feature tailored billing information for family physicians and specialists.
Register here!
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Ontario Physicians Receive Arbitrated Settlement
The Ontario Medical Association is announcing today that their members have finally received an arbitrated award covering the remainder of the term of the 2024-2028 Physician Services Agreement. It has been a long and difficult road for physicians next door in Ontario, filled with uncertainty as the government drew out the negotiations process, ultimately resulting in a lengthy multistage arbitration process for a final binding decision.
Our Analysis
We are carefully reviewing the new Ontario Agreement, as we do with any advancement across Canada, as we prepare to negotiate the next Physician Services Agreement here in Manitoba. Our initial analysis finds that there is an overall general rate increase in Ontario of 7.3% over the final three years of their agreement period. This is similar to the 6% increase Manitoba physicians are receiving over the same period in our Agreement, which followed significant market adjustments in the first year along with new innovative practice models and tariffs for family physicians and specialists.
What’s Next?
While our current Agreement doesn’t expire until 2027, work is already underway to prepare for negotiations. All members will receive a letter shortly inviting them to update meetings, as well as an invitation to join working groups to identify what is working well and what needs more attention to ensure funding for physician services in Manitoba is fair and competitive.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, contact us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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New Specialties Added to eConsult
eConsult in Manitoba continues to grow, proving itself to be a reliable tool for physicians to submit non-urgent, patient-specific questions to specialists. New specialty services in cardiology, infectious diseases, and orthopedics have been added to the province’s electronic BASE eConsult system.
Read our full coverage here.
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Nature Partnership Grows at Assiniboine Park
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy has partnered with PaRx, Canada’s national nature prescription program. Patients who receive a PaRx prescription from a registered provider will be eligible for 50% off the purchase of an individual annual Inspire membership at Assiniboine Park. The Inspire Membership offers unlimited visits to The Leaf and Assiniboine Park Zoo.
đź’¬ Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets was quoted in a joint news release with APC and BC Parks Foundation, the organization behind the national PaRx program.
“Time in nature has proven measurable benefits for both mental and physical health,” said Dr. Nichelle Desilets, President of Doctors Manitoba. “By prescribing nature, we’re giving patients a simple, evidence-based tool to reduce stress, boost mood, and improve overall wellbeing. This partnership helps ensure more Manitobans can access those benefits, right in their own community.”
đź“° Read the full media release here.
🌳 Learn how to prescribe nature for your patients.
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Measles Update
Manitoba has now surpassed 200 confirmed measles cases for the year, with the latest exposure at St. Boniface Hospitals’ cafeteria on September 12. Canada as a whole has seen nearly 5,000 cases this year.
We’re keeping track of the province’s updates and resources for you and your patients on the Doctors Manitoba Measles page.
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St. Boniface Extended Hours Clinic Opens
St. Boniface Hospital has opened a new extended-hours primary care clinic, which will be available to patients every day of the year from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. during the week and 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends. As the Manitoba government noted in its announcement, the clinic is staffed by a multi-disciplinary health-care team, including physicians, registered nurses and primary care assistants, and will have access to laboratory services and X-ray where necessary. Read more here.
As we monitor the progress of this new initiative, we invite you to share your feedback with us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers.
Featured event:
Mentorship Program Fall Connection Event: Improv Show
🗓️ Save the Date! October 23, from 6 to 9 p.m.
đź“Ť The MET, 281 Donald St., across from Canada Life Centre
The first event for the start of the 2025/2026 mentorship year with Doctors Manitoba’s Mentorship Program will be here soon! The evening includes a show, dinner and of course, great prizes.
✉️ Watch for more details via email. Have questions about the event or the Mentorship Program? Contact Mentorship and Member Engagement Coordinator Cynthia Okojie.
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More events:
2025 Paul Wawryko Memorial Run, September 27, 6 p.m., Asper Jewish Community Campus of Winnipeg, 123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg, MB Learn more and register here.
Bug Day, October 23, 7:55 a.m. – 4 p.m., (Virtual) Nationally and internationally recognized experts will present timely topics in infectious diseases and public health at Manitoba’s largest healthcare education event. Learn more and register here.
Family Medicine Forum (FMF), November 5 – 8, Winnipeg. FMF is Canada’s largest and most comprehensive annual conference for family physicians hosted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). Learn more and register here.
*New Date! Peer Support for Physicians: Evidence and Ways to Access Support, November 19, 5 – 5:45 p.m. Virtual. Join Dr. Alexis Botkin and Doctors Manitoba for an overview of peer support, and the evidence for how peer support benefits physicians. View event details and register.
Opioid Agonist Therapy 101: Introduction to Clinical Practice, November 13 – 14, Thompson, and November 20-21, Winnipeg. These workshops will equip you with new knowledge and skills around opioid addiction and the resources available to support patients. Learn more and register here.
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We are here to support the whole physician.
Every step of the way.
Your health & well-being are important to us.
Visit DRMB.ca/HELP to connect to support services or call 1.844.433.3762
For all other support, including benefits and insurance support,
career resources or practice advice please
email general@doctorsmanitoba.ca or call 204.985.5888
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Visit DRMB.ca/Bannatyne for more information on our Bannatyne office and to view the full calendar.
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