Introduction
With an area of 61,000km2, the region spans north of Winnipeg to the 53rd parallel, west to Lake Manitoba and east to the Ontario border. With a mix of small urban, rural, northern and northern remote communities and Nations – and an overall population of 137,000 people – Interlake-Eastern is a vibrant and growing region. Interlake-Eastern offers business and career opportunities and purposeful work, outdoor recreation, arts and culture and has storied history, beautiful lakes, waterways and natural environments, making it a wonderful place to call home.
Services We Provide
We are grateful for our more than 3,000 dedicated staff, 88 family physicians, and many volunteers who support and deliver a wide range of integrated health services. Across the region, we operate over 200 acute care beds and 747 long-term care beds. A range of support services help ensure the effective delivery of care, including Human Resources, Pharmacy, Corporate Administration, Communications, and French Language Services.
We offer important services in both hospital and community settings, such as:
- Emergency and Acute Care
- Home Care
- Indigenous Health Services
- Long Term Care
- Mental Health and Addictions
- Palliative Care
- Primary Care
- Public Health
- Surgery
As part of Manitoba’s provincial health system, Shared Health is responsible for certain components of care and support services across the province. This includes Diagnostic and Laboratory Services, Digital Shared Services, Emergency Response Services, Human Resources Shared Services, Materials Management, and Medical Assistance in Dying.
Demographics
Interlake-Eastern delivers health-care services to diverse populations with varying demographics. The demographics shift as you travel north to south and west to east.
The information below provides a snapshot of a number of factors that impact Interlake-Eastern’s health-care system.
IERHA Population:
137,422 people
Aging Population:
20% over the age of 65
Indigenous Population:
27% self-identify
*Source: 2019 IERHA Community Health Assessment.
IERHA Communities map
Hover your mouse pointer over the map on the right to see detailed population data about a particular community.
Eriksdale / Ashern
- Increase in population across all age categories from 2013 to 2023
- 6% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
Fisher / Peguis
- 40% of the district’s population is under the age of 25
- 11% increase in the district population total over time (2013 to 2023)
St. Laurent
- 38% of the population is between the ages of 55 to 74
- 1% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
Stonewall / Teulon
- Increase in population across all age categories from 2013 to 2023
- 6% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
Northern Remote
- 44% of the district’s population is under the age of 35
- 11% increase in the district population over time (2013 to 2023)
Powerview / Pine Falls
- Nearly, 1 in 3 residents are under the age of 19 within the district
- 1.5% decrease in the district population total over time (2013 to 2023)
Arborg / Riverton
- Over 42% of the population is under the age of 30
- 8% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
Gimli
- 61% of the district’s population is over the age of 50
- 8% increase in the district population size over time (2013-2023)
Selkirk
- Those aged 35 to 54, make up the smallest proportion of residents with Selkirk
- 9% increase in the district population counts over time (2013 to 2023)
Winnipeg Beach / St. Andrews
- Increasing proportion of middle aged residents over time (aged 25 to 44)
- 5% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
St. Clements
- 33% of the population within St. Clements is between the ages of 50 to 69
- 12% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
Pinawa / Lac du Bonnet
- Over 55% of the district population is over the age of 55
- 4% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
Springfield
- Increase in population across all age categories, with exception to 25 to 29 year-olds
- 23% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
Whiteshell
- A lower proportion of children and work-age (15-64) populations within the district
- 0% change in the district population size over time (2013-2023)
Beausejour
- Equal proportion of residents across all age categories (young, middle, and 65+)
- 16% increase in the district population size over time (2013 to 2023)
View the Demographics Map information in a pdf format.
*Source: 2019 IERHA Community Health Assessment.
Health Status
Understanding the health and illness realities of the people that live in IERHA is critical to effectively plan programs and services. Differences in health status are evident across IERHA, with some segments of the population experiencing a higher burden of illness. The health status of residents is largely driven by the various factors – particularly income – with individuals living in lower income areas having higher rates of overall illness. The following data highlights some unique characteristics of our region and the factors that determine how healthy we are. These factors have a significant impact on the need for appropriate services and programs.
Factors that Influence Health
By focusing on these indicators, we can work towards creating environments and lifestyles that support sustained health and well-being.
17% of children age 17 and younger, living in low-income families
26% of residents do not hold a grade 12 certificate, diploma or degree
62% of the region’s population reported being in the labour force
Just 54% of residents over the age of 65 received the annual flu shot
54% of eligible residents participating in colorectal cancer screening
How Healthy Are We?
By focusing on these indicators, we can identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, guiding our strategic initiatives.
The incidence of Cancers has increased over time
The prevalence of Diabetes has increased over time
Cardiovascular health has improved over time
Mood & anxiety disorders have increased over time
The # of hospitalizations or deaths due to stroke has decreased
*Source: 2019 IERHA Community Health Assessment.
Challenges and Opportunites
The challenges identified by our strategic partners, physicians and staff are not separate from IERHA’s strategic priorities. Each challenge aligns with one of our four key areas of focus and represents an opportunity to improve health outcomes, strengthen partnerships, and advance our shared vision of healthier people and communities across the Interlake-Eastern RHA.
Strategic Priority
Key Challenge
Our Focus
Strengthen Health Workforce Development
Interlake-Eastern RHA faces ongoing health human resource shortages across professions, settings, and communities. Recruitment and retention remain difficult, particularly in some rural and northern areas, and reliance on agency staff is not sustainable.
A stable, supported, and skilled workforce is essential for consistent care delivery and system resilience.
Enable Access, Care and Service Coordination
Increasing demands and needs for services, driven by aging demographics and higher burden of illness, which is exceeding the current capacity of some programs in the health system.
Improving access and coordination will reduce inequities and mitigate existing bottlenecks within the system.
Partner for Stronger, Healthier Populations
Health outcomes vary widely across the Interlake–Eastern RHA. Differences in income, access to care, transportation, and social supports create health gaps that no single sector can close alone.
Improving access and coordination will reduce inequities and mitigate existing bottlenecks within the system.
Dismantle Systemic Racism and Discrimination
Systemic racism and discrimination continue to affect access, experiences, and outcomes within the health system, particularly for Indigenous and new Canadians.
Confronting and dismantling systemic racism is critical to supporting multi-cultural workforce and delivering equitable, culturally safe care. This work requires listening, learning, and taking action.
Our Purpose and Vision
Our purpose defines health-care service delivery that people in Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority can expect to experience by 2030.
Our vision defines why we exist and what we do every day to achieve our purpose.
Our Values
Our values reflect the approach to care delivery that we want our patients, clients, residents, family members and community members to experience when interacting with our staff. They are foundational to an organizational culture that will support us in achieving our purpose and vision.
Our How
“Our how” are considered strategic enablers and foundational to successfully achieving our purpose, vision, and strategic directions. These statements provide guidance for our decisions and actions.
Seek the perspectives of those we serve
Be resourceful and creative in all of our work
Always improve quality and safety
Ensure efforts lead to better outcomes
Anticipate and prepare for the future
