How much does it cost to go to the doctor?

It is free to go to the doctor if you have lived in Manitoba for at least 6 months of the year.

In order to receive this free medical care you must present your registration card each time you go to the doctor or the hospital. If you still live with your parents, you will be listed on their registration card and they must show this card to the doctor. Once you turn 18, or if you move away from home, you should apply for your own registration card. For more information on the Manitoba Health Registration Card, contact Manitoba Health Insured Benefits Branch.

Do I get to choose which doctor I see?

Yes, you may go to any doctor you choose and you will not have to pay.

Doctors

Can I see my doctor without my parents in the room?

All doctors are different. Some doctors will see patients alone at 12 years of age, while other doctors prefer the parents in the room until the child turns 16.

Can my doctor tell my parents what happens in a private examination?

Once your doctor agrees to treat you alone, he or she cannot tell your parents anything about the examination without your permission. Again, all doctors are different, so you may want to double check with your doctor first, if this is a concern.

What if I need treatment or an operation?

Your doctor must tell you about all the risks of having a certain treatment or operation so that you may make a completely informed decision. The doctor must also tell you about the risks and concerns of not having the treatment or operation.

If your doctor feels that you understand the treatment or operation suggested, you will not need your parents' permission to have this medical procedure, regardless of your age.

If your doctor feels that you understand the treatment or operation suggested, you may also refuse the medical procedure without the permission of your parents, regardless of your age.

What if my doctor won't treat me alone?

If your doctor won't treat you alone, you may try another doctor until you find one that will.

You may go to a community health clinic. The clinic does not ask for your registration card and will treat you without your parents' consent. Anything said during an examination will not be repeated to your parents.

Community Health Clinics

What does a community health clinic do?

Community health clinics provide confidential medical care, counselling and educational services.

How much does it cost to go to a community health clinic?

All community health services are free of charge even without your medical registration card.

How old do I have to be to go to a community health clinic?

Community health clinics are open to all people, of any age. There is a special teen clinic designed for people under 18.

Can I go to a teen clinic without my parents' consent?

A teen clinic will treat anyone, regardless of age, without their parents' consent. You do not need to show your medical registration card or even give your real name. Everything discussed is completely private and will not be repeated to your parents.

What services does a teen clinic provide?

A teen clinic provides medical examinations by doctors and nurses.

A teen clinic provides free or low-cost birth control pills and condoms to those who cannot afford them.

A teen clinic provides confidential testing for pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. Any results are completely private and will not be repeated to your parents.

How do I find a teen clinic?

There is a clinic called Teen Klinic, which you can go to without an appointment, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Mondays.

The Women's Health Clinic also offers teen services by appointment. They also accept patients without an appointment on Thursday evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

You can also contact the Facts of Life Line, which can refer you to a clinic that can help you. This is a private phone service offering advice about clinics, dating and pregnancy, and information about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases. The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, from noon to 10:00 p.m. .

Mount Carmel Clinic also offers a Teen Clinic on Saturdays.

Teen Talk offers workshops on many topics relating to youth sexuality and pregnancy and provides peer support for teens.

Rainbow Resource Centre offers support, information, counselling, public education and referrals on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.

Pregnancy

Where can I go for help if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant, a clinic or your doctor can help you decide what to do and direct you to counselling for teen mothers and fathers. If you decide to tell your parents, a teen clinic could offer counselling to help them deal with the situation as well.

If you decide to keep the child, a teen clinic will help counsel you through this decision and offer parenting advice and counselling. The Mount Carmel Clinic offers weekly baby clinic, prenatal classes and practical parenting courses. Mount Carmel also offers a student support program for young parents from 15 to 22 years old who wish to remain in school or return to school.

New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families offers resources to single parents aged 16 and 17 to help them become self-sufficient. These include life skills training, work experience, and financial and counselling supports.

If you decide that you wish to place your child for adoption, a teen clinic will help guide you through this process with counselling and give you information about which adoption agencies are best for you.

If you decide that an abortion is the best option for you, a teen clinic can refer you to a doctor for this procedure.

For information on additional resources, see page XX.

Is abortion legal in Manitoba?

Yes, abortion is legal in Manitoba.

Where can I get an abortion?

Abortions done in hospitals are covered under Manitoba Health, which means that you don't have to pay a fee. If you are under 16 years old you need your parents' permission to have an abortion in a hospital.

Abortions are also provided by the Jane's Clinic in Winnipeg. The wait is usually shorter than in a hospital and there is no fee for the procedure. If you are under 18, you do not need your parents' permission to have an abortion at the Jane Clinic as long as you understand the procedure.

You may also find further information on abortion from the Facts of Life Line or the Women's Health Clinic.

Health Care Directives

What is a health care directive?

A health care directive is a piece of paper signed and dated by you that tells doctors what your wishes are regarding treatment. This paper must be followed by the doctor if you are no longer able to communicate or make your own decisions as a result of an accident or illness.

The directive may state your wishes directly or it may appoint someone else, who is over 18, to make any health care decisions for you.

How old do I have to be to make a health care directive?

You must be 16 years or older to make a health care directive.