The doctors at the Lachine Hospital join together to offer an annual bonus of $ 15,000 for two years to the first three respiratory therapists who will come to work in their health establishment. An exceptional measure aimed at reopening the emergency rooms of the hospital, which are closed evenings and nights.
Since November 7, patients who wish to seek treatment in the Lachine Hospital emergency room have been redirected to neighboring hospitals, between 7:30 p.m. and 7 a.m., for an indefinite period.
The McGill University Health Center (MUHC) had announced the closure at the end of October, due to a “critical” shortage of nurses and respiratory therapists. A decision which had aroused indignation, and which gave rise to the holding of two rallies to oppose it.
“Our executive made this decision urgently. We calculated the money we have, how much we will have, and how we are [le] spend ”, explains Dr Paul Saba, President of the Council of Physicians of the Lachine Hospital. The decision was adopted unanimously, after several discussions.
PHOTO PASCAL RATTHE, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The Dr Paul Saba, President of the Council of Physicians of the Lachine Hospital
The doctor says he discovered that respiratory therapists could not benefit from the premiums offered by the Quebec government if they worked at the Lachine Hospital, unlike the hospitals located in the city center of the metropolis.
“We decided to do fundraising and to contribute on the part of each doctor to keep the hospital afloat, because it is important to us”, declares for his part the Dr Georges Zaarour.
The Dr Saba hopes that this incentive will attract workers who work in other MUHC hospitals, but also retired respiratory therapists, or in pre-retirement.
The MUHC estimated that two to three respiratory therapists were necessary to avoid the closure of the Lachine Hospital.
Decrease in traffic
Since the partial closure of its emergencies, the Lachine Hospital has seen its traffic decrease. The Dr Zaarour estimates that the hospital’s attendance volume has fallen by 50%.
“Even during the day it had an impact: the patients did not show up. I have the impression that some took as a message that the emergency was completely closed ”, underlines the Dr Zaarour.
The doctor believes some patients have made their way to walk-in clinics and other hospitals, but others simply won’t seek treatment.
“In a few weeks, will there be a small increase in the mortality rate in the Lachine borough? We don’t know, it’s too premature, ”he said.
“Our patients are excessively vulnerable. They are in a [endroit] really landlocked. Above all, they cannot afford a $ 150 ambulance to go to a hospital, ”continues Mr. Zaarour.
During his three years of practice at the Lachine Hospital, Dr.r Zaarour says he has repeatedly seen patients walk to the hospital with a heart attack.