Too dilapidated, the Sainte-Croix hospital in Drummondville, the “flagship” of health care in the region, will not be able to meet the needs of a population expected to grow, elected officials fear.
In an open letter obtained by The Press, prefects and mayors of Centre-du-Québec tell the government that there is “urgency to act”, thus adding their voices to those of “200 doctors and health professionals”. In short, they want “steps to ensure quality health care in [la] region be started now.
Due to a lack of adequate infrastructure, the prefects of the regional county municipalities (MRC) of Drummond, Bécancour, L’Érable, Nicolet-Yamaska and Arthabaska fear “a slowdown in demographic and economic growth.”
“Already problematic, this situation risks quickly becoming critical,” they say, in light of the announcement of substantial investments in the region’s battery sector. All of this will require the arrival of “hundreds, even thousands” of workers. “They, like their families, will need quality health care and social services, care and services that our region can hardly offer them in the current circumstances. »
“Flagship” drifting
One of the “flagships” of health care in the region, the Sainte-Croix hospital, built in 1947, is according to elected officials a “sad symbol” of the chronic lack of investment. “The number of beds is insufficient, several services are deployed in a sub-optimal manner and the establishment, due to lack of space, is not able to accommodate new equipment at the cutting edge of technology,” say -they.
On its website, the Integrated University Health and Social Services Center (CIUSSS) of Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec adds: we deplore the “lack of space for medical students and clinical development “. Furthermore, “the surface area would need to be increased by at least 41% to meet the needs” and the current configuration is “ineffective for collaboration between sectors”.
Water damage would multiply to such an extent that a turquoise code would now exist internally to announce it. In some cases it would take weeks before they are resolved.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Water damage at Sainte-Croix hospital in Drummondville
“There is consensus on the need for new infrastructure in Centre-du-Québec,” argue the prefects, inviting the government to act without delay. Quebec announced during the most recent electoral campaign that it would move the project for a new establishment to the “opportunity stage” by the end of its current mandate, in 2026. However, the elected officials of the region believe that it is rather appropriate to include this project in the next Quebec Infrastructure Plan, which will accompany the tabling of the provincial budget in March 2024.
“Maintaining quality health care for our fellow citizens is at stake,” they say.