First of five RAAM clinics opens in Winnipeg

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First of five RAAM clinics opens in Winnipeg

September 5, 2018

Five Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinics are slated to open within the next two months with the first already seeing patients.

Located at Winnipeg’s Crisis Response Centre at 817 Bannatyne Avenue the first RAAM clinic open last Friday, August 31, 2018.

“RAAM clinics help patients more easily navigate the health system, moving them between addiction medicine specialists, primary care providers and community supports,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “The opening of these clinics is an important step toward addressing long wait times for Manitobans seeking treatment for addictions or substance-related concerns including opioids, methamphetamine and alcohol.

[jaw_quote author=”Christine Dobbs, a member of Moms Stop the Harm” ]It is critically important the health-care system provides ready access to appropriate treatment for people seeking help with their addictions[/jaw_quote][jaw_clear]

RAAM clinics provide assessment, counselling, the prescribing of appropriate medication, and connections for patients to community treatment programs and primary care physicians. No appointments are necessary.

The province is spending $1.27 million for the creation of the clinics.

RAAM clinical teams will also provide support to primary care providers including the mentoring, reassessment and referral of patients. Clinical teams will collaborate with regulatory bodies to ensure appropriate education, tools and ongoing support are provided to health-care professionals.

“These clinics are an important step to the bigger picture of addressing addictions in Manitoba,” said Ben Fry, executive director, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. “They can help provide evidence-based addictions care and link the individual to the most appropriate services to meet their needs in a more timely fashion. Education, mentoring and building capacity are part of this model of care.”

A second Winnipeg RAAM clinic is slated to open at 146 Magnus Avenue on September 13 with additional locations in Brandon, Thompson and Selkirk opening by November.

Both RAAM locations will have limited hours with the Bannatyne location open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and the Magnus location open on Monday and Thursday. Neither location will be open during weekend hours.