The holiday season in Manitoba is facing a significant healthcare strain as the province's physician association warns of critical staffing shortages in several rural emergency departments. Doctors Manitoba issued the alert on Friday, December 19, 2025, highlighting the precarious state of emergency medical services in communities outside Winnipeg during a period of high demand.
Which Communities Are Most Affected?
The warning specifically points to severe doctor shortages that will impact the availability of emergency services. While the association did not list every single facility at risk, it indicated that multiple rural and northern health centres would be operating with skeleton crews or could face temporary, unplanned closures if remaining staff are overwhelmed.
This situation is not uncommon during holiday periods, when many healthcare professionals take well-earned time off to be with their families. However, Doctors Manitoba emphasizes that the cumulative effect of years of systemic recruitment and retention challenges has brought the system to a breaking point. The association is urging residents and travelers in these regions to be acutely aware of the reduced services.
Planning Ahead for Emergencies
In light of the anticipated shortages, Doctors Manitoba is advising the public to take proactive steps. The key recommendation is for individuals to know in advance which facilities in their area are open and what level of service they can provide. Some hospitals may only be able to stabilize patients before requiring a transfer to a larger centre, which could involve significant delays.
Residents are also encouraged to ensure their prescriptions are filled ahead of the holiday closures of pharmacies and to utilize other resources like Health Links for non-urgent medical advice. The association stresses that for true, life-threatening emergencies, individuals should still call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room, but they should be prepared for potential longer wait times or the possibility of being redirected.
A Symptom of a Larger Crisis
This holiday warning sheds light on the persistent and growing challenge of delivering consistent healthcare across Manitoba's vast geography. Rural and remote communities have long struggled to attract and retain physicians, specialists, and nurses. The holiday period acts as a stress test, exposing the fragility of a system stretched thin.
The call from Doctors Manitoba serves as both a practical advisory for the public and a pointed reminder to provincial policymakers. It underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions, including improved incentives for rural practice, better support for existing healthcare workers, and innovative care delivery models to ensure all Manitobans have access to emergency medical care, regardless of their postal code or the date on the calendar.
