The “Dubé” reform convinced me of its usefulness because it affirms a clear desire for democratic transparency. Bill 15 “aimed at making the health and social services system more efficient” will finally allow users to be heard on several bodies while fulfilling a watchdog role.
The pandemic has revealed to us the invisibility of users to health establishments and facilities, which will no longer be the case with the changes proposed by the Minister of Health, Mr. Christian Dubé.
Several new functions
Several functions are in fact provided for in the new structure so that users can make their point of view known. Whether it be the appointment of a national service quality and complaints commissioner and a commissioner exercising the same functions in each of the establishments. Added to this is the creation of a national committee for users and another for vigilance and quality, not to mention a protector of users in matters of health and social services. In addition, each governing board will have its local vigilance and service quality committee. Finally, a users’ committee and a residents’ committee will be created in each of the public or private facilities governed by Santé Québec.
I know, some will say that that is a lot of authorities and structures, but can it be otherwise in a health system giving access to more than 8.5 million citizens, 3000 public and private health establishments and facilities, 350,000 employees and which requires a budget of $50 billion annually.
Communication and information
Whether one is for or against the new reform, communication and the exchange of information will be the two pillars of the eventual success of the proposed reform. All bodies representing the handling of complaints, vigilance and quality of services, and users will have to show transparency and mobilize so that their report can be known to the general public, and this, as much by establishment, as by installation or by region.
To this end, we should not provide a website specific to these bodies representing users in order to better understand not only their level of dissatisfaction, but also their level of satisfaction, success and innovation in the quality of our health services and of social services? Unfortunately, we mainly hear about incidents. In this regard, the reform also proposes the creation of a national register of incidents and accidents. Will this register be accessible to the general public? Of course, without disclosing personal information, we could better inform the public about what works less well in each establishment or facility, and this, by region.
Will the “Dubé” reform be the one that will allow the Quebec population to re-establish a relationship of trust and pride in our health system through a desire for democratic transparency? From a user’s point of view, I believe in it and I hope so! The ball is now in the hands of workers, professionals, nurses, general practitioners and specialists to collaborate in the success of a new organizational model based certainly on efficiency, but also on transparency and participation. users.
Photo provided by Jean Baillargeon
Jean Baillargeon, Consultant in strategic communication