The Manitoba government is expected to reveal measures on Thursday morning aimed at getting rid of paper health cards.
Global Winnipeg has learned that plastic cards will take the place of the long-standing paper ones — a crucial initial move toward a fully digital system that will ultimately give Manitobans more direct access to their own health records.
Premier Wab Kinew made the commitment last autumn during the 680 CJOB leaders’ debate before the provincial election.
“We’re going to introduce electronic medical records, and we’re going to do it for you, the patient,” Kinew stated during the debate.
“In almost every other jurisdiction, when you go and get a test done, within an hour or so, once the test is processed, you can access your test results on your phone.
“Here in Manitoba, you’re waiting for a week, two weeks. You’ve got to get a follow-up appointment. … You’re not allowed to see your own health information.”
Next week’s provincial budget is expected to announce funding to eradicate the paper-based system and digitize health care records, with the new plastic cards to be issued later this year.
The action effectively eliminates ongoing difficulties with a backlog that once left as many as 24,000 Manitobans waiting to receive paper cards. A provincial spokesperson told Global Winnipeg there is now a two-week turnaround.
— with files from Richard Cloutier
