Mr. Dubé, I have been without a family doctor for nearly three years. Like all the other orphans of a doctor, I registered towards the end of 2020 on the famous Window for access to a family doctor. At the time, a confirmation email estimated 747 days, so about two years, the wait before I was assigned a doctor. I’m still waiting and can’t wait to see that day come!
Since then, last year I received a number for personal use, the purpose of which was to “facilitate my access to health services, via the first-line access window (GAP)”. I felt privileged to receive this email, because it specified that only I could use the said number.
Since for about three to four years I haven’t had a checkup or a PAP test, I finally decided to use the number given to me… to learn that I had to wait again.
Because, surprise, there are waiting lists! One for the PAP test, one for the mammogram. The minimum delay is estimated at around three to four months, if not more.
We obviously do not request to see a doctor if we have no symptoms or pain, because the GAP does not allow, for example, to do a health check or blood test. Faced with my discouragement, the lady on the line said to me: “Madame, that’s it. »
Following the valuable advice of those around me, I contacted the CLSC in my area, hoping that I could get an appointment there a little more quickly. To my great surprise, I learned that CLSCs no longer offer the PAP test. It is therefore necessary to turn to medical clinics, or outright, to the private sector! Isn’t this also what you want: a greater role for private health?
Mr. Dubé, since the tabling of Bill 15, you keep repeating that your objective is to make the system efficient. I wonder how efficient this will become if there are waiting lists everywhere, for everything, and these get longer from one year to the next? Even if, by chance, I manage to have the PAP test in three months, it is certain that it will be necessary to wait as much, if not more, to have the results!
Moreover, on all forums, people keep saying that health prevention is essential. In this sense, you announced last year the implementation of HPV tests, offered by self-sampling, as the primary screening test for cervical cancer. A year later, where are we with this one? How long will we have to wait to access it?
A citizen who demands answers!