The transfer of numerous patients from the North Shore to other regions does not undermine the desire of Minister of Health Christian Dubé to bring staff placement agencies into line. The new rules will be imposed as planned.
“The network is at the mercy of companies who have spent years threatening us with service disruptions and increasing their prices,” the minister said Tuesday morning. “We must end it as we committed to. »
The Quebec government legislated last year to abolish the use of private agencies in the health network. The change involves, among other things, a cap on the hourly rate of labor, mostly nurses.
On the North Shore, a region that relies heavily on independent labor, the effects of the reform are being felt critically.
Around forty patients will have to be transferred to other regions this week while dozens of hospitalization beds will close in Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles hospitals, indicated the Integrated Health and Social Services Center ( CISSS) of the North Shore on Monday.
According to its president Manon Asselin, the situation arises from the fact that fewer agency employees wish to come and work in the region since the new rules came into force.
A link that Minister Dubé does not refute. “As planned, we are taking an important first step this week,” he wrote, emphasizing that the new hourly rates came into effect on May 19.
“During this time of transition, we need the support of all health professionals. Now is not the time to back down,” he wrote.
As short-term solutions, Minister Dubé mentions “new contracts with agencies” and the call for staff from other regions. “We are doing everything we can to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. »
More details will follow.