Shortage of family doctors: thrown out of his own medical clinic, a Drummondville man compares our health system to that of Russia

Discouraged by not having a family doctor, Serge Gagné reports that he was even kicked out of the clinic where he was followed for many years.

Serge Gagne

▪ 65 years old
▪ Drummondville
▪ Without a doctor for five years

“I was told: ‘You have no business here, you don’t have a family doctor.’ I was kicked out of my own clinic,” denounces the retiree from the construction industry.

Anyone who suffers from osteoarthritis in the wrists believes that everyone over sixty should have the right to see a doctor at least once every three years.

In his case, he must register by calling 811 to see a doctor without an appointment. Again, it’s far from easy. In February, he left his name, but he was not called back. He waited two weeks before contacting the Info-Santé staff.

The man has been particularly fearful since two of his sisters were diagnosed with cancer.

He says that when his doctor retired, many of his patients were referred to another doctor, but that was not the case for him.

According to him, the waiting list to get a family doctor does not work. Even his boy asked if he could transfer his family doctor to his father, but the request was refused.

“The list doesn’t work. There are people who bring their boyfriends in,” he maintains.

Like in Russia

The sixty-year-old believes that he is entitled to health services like any other taxpayer who pays his taxes.

“If you are not able to help me, I will no longer pay taxes for that,” he said, inviting the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, to change places with him.

Without putting all the blame on the minister, he believes that public services are becoming more and more like those in Russia since everyone has to wait in turn.

According to him, the pension income of many retirees is insufficient to be able to pay for private health care.