Pipes burst, flood second ACCESS Winnipeg health centre
Hospital officials set up registration centre to re-direct clients to other locations for services
A second flood, caused by burst pipes, has shut down another ACCESS Winnipeg community health centre Monday.
The first centre, ACCESS Winnipeg West, which just opened its doors in May near the Grace Hospital, has been damaged by water on all floors, including the daycare, according to a press release from the Winnipeg Regional Heath Authority (WRHA).
A frozen water pipe burst in the early hours of Sunday on the third floor of the centre. The extent of the damage is still being assessed "but it does appear significant and the building will not be operational in the short term," a WRHA press release stated.
2nd ACCESS centre affected
The WRHA circulated another release Monday afternoon stating a second centre, ACCESS Downtown, had flooded as a result of pipes bursting.
The first and second floors of the centre, located at 640 Main St., flooded, after heating coils froze and burst.
The approximately 110 staff working in the centre on a daily basis were forced to leave the building shortly after 2 p.m. when the leak was detected.
WRHA officials said no one was injured and that the extent of the damage isn't yet known.
Registration centre set up to re-direct clients
Normally, ACCESS Winnipeg West has about 170 staff working in the facility on a daily basis, providing services such as a primary care clinic, speech language pathology, audiology, community mental health, and home care, among others.
The centre's Jon Einarson said hospital officials have now developed a contingency plan to accommodate the approximately 100 to 125 clients who visit the centre every day for appointments. Contingency plans for ACCESS Downtown patients have also been implemented.
Einarson said a registration centre has been set up in the lobby of the Grace which will re-direct people seeking services to other locations:
- Primary Care Clinic relocated to former Social Work offices, lower level Grace Hospital
- Community Mental Health and Mental Health PACT Team relocated to Mental Health Department (PAS), Grace Hospital
- Home Care relocated to Auditorium, Grace Hospital Switchboard to co-locate with Grace Hospital Switchboard
- Public Health Nurses relocated to 1001 Corydon Ave.
- Audiology/Speech Language relocated to Deer Lodge Centre
- Child & Family Services management staff will operate remotely
- Family Services Programs
- Community Living disABILITY Services relocated to 280 Broadway
- Children’s disABILITY Services relocated to 111 Rorie St.
- marketABILITIES Program relocated to 111 Rorie St.
- Early Learning & Child Care relocated to 111 Rorie St.
- Employment and Income Assistance relocated to 111 Rorie St. (clients please call 204-948-4000)