Wildfire Update #2: Prescribing in Saskatchewan, Travelling to Northern Manitoba, and ways to help
Wildfire updates for June 3, 2025:
- Physicians from Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA) who have evacuated to Saskatchewan are authorized to prescribe to Manitoba evacuees in Saskatchewan
- The Prescribing Practices Program is here to support you
- To the dedicated physicians actively caring for patients in Northern Manitoba
- Ways you can help
Physicians from Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA) who have evacuated to Saskatchewan are authorized to prescribe to Manitoba evacuees in Saskatchewan
Manitoba is in a state of emergency due to wildfires. Thousands of Manitoba residents who evacuated their homes in Northern Manitoba have sought refuge in Saskatchewan. Many fled without their medications and now require prescription refills in out of province.
To ensure continuity of care and to avoid overwhelming resources in Saskatchewan, which is also under a state of emergency, CPSM registrants from the Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA), who also relocated to Saskatchewan, are authorized to provide prescription refills to Manitoba residents while both the physician and patient are in Saskatchewan during the state of emergency.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan supports NRHA physicians providing healthcare to evacuated Manitoba patients while they are in Saskatchewan. They have assured CPSM that there will be no issues regarding unlicensed practice of medicine in Saskatchewan.
The Prescribing Practices Program is here to support you
For other issues or concerns, our Prescribing Practices Program is available to help ensure patients receive prescription refills they require. Physicians can contact the program at 204-774-4344 or by email at cpsm@cpsm.mb.ca for assistance with issues resulting from the evacuations.
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To the dedicated physicians actively caring for patients in Northern Manitoba
We recognize the immense effort and personal risk you are taking to provide care under a state of emergency. We know you are doing your very best, potentially at your own risk. Our deepest gratitude for stepping up when it matters most.
We understand the difficulty in balancing your duty to assist in an emergency and your own safety. We see you and acknowledge the pressure in deciding whether to travel North, which is further impacted by the rapidly changing conditions. We trust that you will make the best decision for your circumstances, but feel free to reach out to CPSM at 204-774-4344 or by email at cpsm@cpsm.mb.ca.
As a reminder, the Standard of Practice – Duty to Assist in an Emergency outlines the requirements for registrants to assist and valid reasons for nonattendance (see section 2.2).
Message to the profession from the Registrar
As we face the challenges brought by the wildfires in Manitoba, our hearts go out to the thousands who have had to evacuate from their homes and to the first responders working tirelessly to save communities. We are grateful to the registrants who have stepped up to provide their support during this difficult time.
We encourage everyone to help where they can to ensure continuity of care for patients from Northern Manitoba. Let us learn from the past and ensure we stand strong for people from Flin Flon and the surrounding area, Lynn Lake, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and Tataskweyak Cree Nation, which have all been fully evacuated. Extend kindness, compassion, and patience during this time of emergency.
Following the largest evacuation in Manitoba, staff at Flin Flon Hospital staff ensured patients from the Flin Flon General Hospital were safely evacuated and will continue to receive the care they require.
Peguis First Nation welcomed evacuees from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Shelter, food and other necessary supplies were awaiting them upon their arrival.
Ways you can help
If you’re wondering what you can do to help, here are several ways you can contribute.
- Offer your clinical help
Doctors Manitoba is accepting names from physicians willing to offer medical help to support the response, from all regions in Manitoba. Add your name here, with no commitment to help at this time.
- Donate to the Red Cross MB Wildfires Appeal
If you want to help with relief for those impacted by Manitoba wildfires, you can donate to the Red Cross as part of their 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal. Click here to donate.
- Host a drive for urgent items needed
Many First Nations families are arriving in Winnipeg with only what they could carry. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is collecting the following:
Urgent items needed:
- Strollers
- Playpens
- Baby formula
- Diapers
- Depends
- Sandals
- Summer wear
Other needed items:
- Hygiene products
- Backpacks
- Luggage
- Men's, kids', and baby clothing
Donations can be dropped off at the RBC Centre – 2nd Floor, North Building
Drop-off hours are Noon to 7 PM every day.