The Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA) is the governing body responsible for healthcare delivery and regulation for the Northern Health Region (NHR)—specifically northern Manitoba, excluding Churchill.
The NRHA covers the largest geographical area of the 5 regional health authorities (RHAs) in Manitoba, spanning over , or nearly two-thirds of the province. It was formed in 2012 by the merger of the former NOR-MAN and Burntwood Regional Health Authorities.
Within the region, there are 2 cities, 6 towns, 1 rural municipality, 1 local government district, and numerous unorganized territories made up of hamlets and cottage settlements; as well as 26 First Nations communities and 16 Northern Affairs communities. The NRHA maintains offices in each of its three major centres: Flin Flon, The Pas, and Thompson.
Communities Accounting for just below 6% of the provincial population, the Northern Health Region has a population of 74,175 people. With an area of over , the region has a population density of 0.18 persons per km²—compared to 2.19 persons per km² for the entire province of Manitoba.
The region has a young population with a median age of 26 (compared to Manitoba at 37), and nearly one in three residents (30%) of the region are under the age of 15 (compared to 19% of Manitoba residents). Contrastly, 6.1% of Northern Region residents are age 65 and older (compared to 14.1% of Manitobans).
Within the region, there are:
2 cities (Thompson and Flin Flon) 6 towns (The Pas, Gillam, Grand Rapids, Leaf Rapids, Lynn Lake, and Snow Lake) 1 rural municipality (Kelsey) 1 local government district (Mystery Lake) 26 First Nations communities 16 Northern Affairs communities Numerous unorganized territories made up of hamlets and cottage settlements (e.g. Norway House)
Indigenous communities The NRHA serves 26 First Nations communities, or 'reserves'. According to Manitoba Health's 2012 census, about 40% of the region's residents live on reserves while the remaining 60% live off-reserve.
However, residents frequently travel on and off reserve and access health services in both locations. In addition to issues of gaps in patient follow-ups and on-going continuity of care, having more than one health-services provider—First Nation Inuit Health (FNIH) for on-reserve services and the Region for off-reserve services—can cause confusion among residents in terms of accessing care.2019-20 NRHA Annual Report
There are over a dozen additional First Nations communities that the NRHA serves; a challenge for the NRHA is that many of these First Nations communities do not have year-round all-weather road access, with many of these First Nations communities relying on rail, boat, and/or air service to travel. This limited access has significant implications on the health of the residents.
Per the 2006 Census, over two-thirds (67.4%) of residents self-identify as "Aboriginal." Residents of the Northern Health Region account for 81% of Manitoba residents who report speaking an Aboriginal language; just below one-third of residents (31.9%) report speaking at least one Aboriginal language compared to only 6% of Manitobans overall.
Facilities The NRHA maintains offices in each of its three major centres: Flin Flon, The Pas, and Thompson. LocationHospital (acute care beds)Health centreOther sitesPlaceReserveBrochetBarren LandsNursing stationCormorantCormorant Health Care CentreCranberry PortageCranberry Portage Wellness CentreCross LakePimicikamakNursing stationEastervilleProvincial nursing stationFlin FlonFlin Flon General Hospital (34)Flin Flon Primary Health Care Centre Flin Flon Personal Care Home Northern Lights Manor Flin Flon Clinic—Garden HillNursing stationGillamGillam Hospital (7)Gillam Public HealthGods LakeGod's Lake FNNursing stationGod’s RiverManto SipiGrand RapidsMisipawistikIlfordIlford Community Health CentreLac BrochetNorthlandsNursing stationFirst Nation Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB)Leaf RapidsLeaf Rapids Health CentreLynn LakeLynn Lake Hospital (11)Lynn Lake Public HealthMoose LakeMosakahikenProvincial nursing stationNelson HouseNisichawayasihk Nisichawayasihk Personal Care Home Nursing StationNorway House Nursing station Pinaow Wachi Ltd. Personal Care HomeOpaskwayak Cree NationBeatrice Wilson Health CentreMcGillivary Care HomeOxford HouseBunibonibee George Colon Memorial Home Inc. Nursing stationThe PasSt. Anthony’s General Hospital (40)The Pas Primary Health Care Centre St. Paul’s Personal Care Home Rosaire House Addiction Centre The Pas Clinic Fischer Avenue ClinicPikwitoneiNursing stationPukatawaganMathias ColombNursing stationRed Sucker LakeRed Sucker Lake FNNursing stationShamattawa First NationNursing stationSherridonSherridon Health CentreSnow LakeSnow Lake Health CentreSouth Indian LakeO-Pipon-Na-PiwinNursing stationSplit LakeTataskweyakNursing stationSt. Theresa Point First NationNursing stationTadoule LakeSayisiNursing stationThicket PortageHealth CentreThompsonThompson General Hospital (79)Thompson Public Health Acute Brain Injury House Hope North Recovery Centre for Youth Northern Consultation Clinic Northern Spirit Manor Thompson ClinicWasagamackWasagamack FNNursing stationWabowdenWabowden Community Health CentreYork Factory First Nation
References
Notes
External links
Government of Manitoba - Regional Health Authorities