System ready for possible mail strike: Shared Health

Shared Health says it is prepared in case Canada Post workers resume striking Friday.

The employees could begin striking in Manitoba at midnight Friday, after previously going on strike from Nov. 15 to Dec. 17. The strike was suspended when the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered employees back to work.

“Clinics and service areas have temporarily paused use of Canada Post for distribution of patient appointment letters and pre-appointment information. Patients with upcoming appointments will instead be contacted by phone and/or email and provided with information in advance of their appointments,” the provincial health authority said in a news release Thursday afternoon.

“Patients with upcoming clinic appointments at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg may receive their appointment confirmation by text message. The text messages, which will originate from a Manitoba 431 phone number, will not include patient information and will only identify the facility, date and time of the scheduled appointment. Messages will include the clinic phone number in the event patients wish to confirm their appointment by phone.”

Confirmation letters for appointments scheduled for after Aug. 12 are being temporarily held, Shared Health said. If a postal strike continues, appointments for those patients will be confirmed by text or phone.

“Information packages, facility maps and other important information that is generally sent by mail to patients and clients will be located on regional and/or facility websites for easy patient access,” the release said. “Patients who rely on mail service for supplies are encouraged to plan ahead and submit orders early to ensure they have sufficient supplies.”

More information is available on Shared Health’s website.

Manitoba Hydro said Thursday that a strike would prevent delivery of paper bills and customers’ payments. The utility said customers are responsible for making payments on time during a postal strike and advised them not to put cheques in the mail during a strike.

Manitoba Hydro customers with online accounts can continue to receive a paper bill if they want.