Admission to Lachine Hospital on Wednesday 22 June 2022. Photo by John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette
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The Quebec government is abandoning people in need of care and could endanger lives by partially closing many emergency rooms across the province, warn doctors and ombudsmen.
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Faced with a staff shortage that is expected to worsen as the holiday season begins, the province announced Wednesday that it will reduce services to six emergency rooms this summer. However, the government was called upon to either reconsider the decision or provide concrete alternatives to avoid creating care gaps in the coming months. “No community emergency room should ever be closed,” he said. Paul Samba, head of the medical council at Lachine Hospital. “It increases the risk of mortality, especially for time-sensitive diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and serious infectious diseases. “Studies have confirmed this.” Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé announced the service cuts on Wednesday, saying the government has no choice as there are not enough health workers available.
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A total of 59,600 employees are expected to be absent from the health network this summer. This is almost 8,000 more than last year. Speaking to reporters in Quebec City, Dubé said there were many reasons for the shortages. Some workers have left the network altogether, some have been hospitalized for a long time for COVID, and many more are on summer vacation this year after not being allowed to do so last year. “The main reason it will be more difficult is because the government has made a clear commitment to the nurses and all the staff that there will be a holiday this summer,” Dubé said. “It’s normal for people to want to rest. “Our nurses have worked hard for the last two years.” The minister, however, did not hide the effects of the shortcomings.
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“It will be a difficult summer,” Dubé said. “We know we need to reorganize services, but we are working with managers to minimize the impact.” There are 117 emergency rooms in Quebec. Emergency services will be partially closed at Coaticook Hospital in Eastern Cities, at the Windsor Emergency Clinic at La Mitis Hospital in Lower St. Louis. Lawrence and the emergency clinics in Fortierville, Mauritius and Témiscaming-Kipawa in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The emergency department at Lachine Hospital will continue to work part-time, remaining closed to ambulances at night. In an interview Wednesday, Patients’ Rights Advocate Paul Brunet said the shortages were predictable and that the government should be ready for a better solution.
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The president of the Conseil pour la protection des malades, Brunet, said it was unacceptable to close the ERs without offering other options to those who rely on them. “Patients are stuck,” Brunet said. “What would you say to offer an alternative?” Or are you looking for alternatives? Do a little more than just say, “Oh well, we have to close the ERs,” he added. “This is not the way to treat patients.” In a statement, the health ministry said it was working to find ways to ensure Quebec residents have access to first-line health services. He also urged people to avoid going to the emergency room if possible, or to choose one that is close and open using the 811 hotline. Dubé said that despite the shortcomings, Quebec does not envisage any reduction in the number of surgeries that will be performed. The province is still trying to make up for the difference created during the pandemic. According to the Index Santé website, as of Wednesday night, the highest ER occupancy rates in the Montreal area were at Royal Victoria Hospital (185 percent capacity), Jewish General Hospital (181 percent) and Lakeshore General Hospital (165 percent). ). [email protected] [email protected]
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