The provincial government said Wednesday it will help health care staff do their jobs more efficiently by expanding social work services to more emergency departments and urgent care centres.
New positions will open up for St. Boniface Hospital, Seven Oaks hospital, Concordia Hospital and Victoria Hospital, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said in a news release, adding front-line health workers had made the request.
“Social workers bring specialized expertise in mental health, crisis intervention and connecting people with community supports. They play a critical role in helping patients navigate complex challenges while allowing nurses, physicians and other health-care professionals to focus on delivering medical care.”
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara
The move will bolster discharge planning and reduce pressure on ERs, Asagwara said.
The government news release said social workers stationed in ERs and urgent-care clinics collaborate with organizations and service providers so patients have access to supports in the community.
Two social workers have been hired and will begin work in the coming weeks.
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Social workers have been stationed at the HSC ER around-the-clock as of 2023.
Linda Rost, a social worker in the HSC emergency department, said they complete risk and safety assessments and help patients and their families with resources.
“Other integral community services operate 24-7, so it has been a great step forward for social work to be among those available services, both to provide our own expertise when it is needed as well as to be an important link to those resources.”
Jane Curtis, interim president and CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, said the expansion to other sites will improve conditions for staff and patients.
— Free Press staff