Employees of the private CHSLD Villa Val des Arbres demonstrated Monday in Laval to ask the CISSS to review its decision to end its contract to purchase places with the establishment. Some 80 seniors settled in Val des Arbres by the public network will have to move in a few months.
Posted at 4:46 p.m.
More than 300 people are currently waiting for a place in a CHSLD in Laval.
Despite this, the CISSS de Laval announced last week to the families of the beneficiaries affected its intention not to renew its agreement with the private CHSLD not under agreement Val des Arbres, where it buys the majority of the 145 places. The establishment was very hard hit by the first wave of the pandemic, with 58 dead, or 40% of the clientele. The army intervened.
“In February 2022, certain elements brought to the attention of the CISSS de Laval [nous] led to the appointment of a manager to ensure the quality of care and to support the clinical team of the CHSLD Villa Val des Arbres. There were clinical issues, which is why the CISSS is not renewing the agreement,” explains spokesperson Marie-Eve Despatie-Gagnon.
An announcement that no one expected. On the contrary, the employees believed that the establishment was going to be converted into a private CHSLD under agreement by Quebec – the government announced its intention to quickly change the vocation of a few dozen entirely private shelters.
“We want answers,” insists Julie Charbonneau, nursing assistant at this center for seniors for 20 years. “We asked why. The only thing we were told was that there are clinical issues. Clinical issues are broad. There is no perfect CHSLD in Quebec. Everyone has shortcomings and so do we, but we expected a partnership with the CISSS to solve the problems. For 20 years, we have always had agreements with the public. We explain ourselves badly [la décision]. »
The nurse is worried about the fate of the 80 seniors, including a few centenarians, who will have to move. “It pains us a lot. It’s a lot of moving and heartbreaking. The residents, it’s not easy for them. The cases of dementia, we just have them change rooms and we have to redirect them for months, they completely lose their bearings. There, a move to another building, with new people… ”
Her colleague beneficiary attendant Michaelle Audain has been at Val des Arbres for almost as long as Mrs.me Charbonneau. She had her very first job there. “It’s a big blow,” she said.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Michaelle Audain, Beneficiary Attendant
For seniors “it’s a big impact”. Some tenants have lived in the same place for several years, says the woman. “We know their habits. »
“We have people who have losses. Completely changing their environment is going to be another impact. What she asks: “that we be given the chance to learn so that we can keep our elders with us. »
“If people weren’t well, I wouldn’t be here for 20 years,” says his colleague Julie Charbonneau. We are people of heart. It’s our second family. »
At the CISSS, we assure that we are well aware of the effects of such a change on seniors. “The CISSS de Laval is aware that a move is a major event for seniors and their loved ones,” said Ms.me Despatie-Gagnon.
But: “the safety of residents is an issue; the quality of services and care are priorities,” she explains.
Last year, the CISSS terminated another contract with the private sector, this time with the CHSLD Villa des Tilleuls where it bought around sixty places. The establishment needed an upgrade of care and services and a modernization of living spaces, it is explained. With the upcoming opening of a new public CHSLD and two seniors’ homes, we preferred to drop the agreement. “The residents’ transition went well,” says Ms.me Despatie-Gagnon.
The president of the Quebec Union of Service Employees, Sylvie Nelson, who represents nurses and office workers in Val-des-Arbres, is worried about the fate of her workers. She deplores the lack of information and asks at least that employees have a “fast track” to be rehired by the CISSS. The union requested it. To date, the answer has been no.