A sign that the staff shortage is hitting hard, the emergency department at the Lachine Hospital, in western Montreal, will close its doors in the evening and at night starting Sunday.
Thus, from 7:30 p.m. and until 7:30 a.m. the next morning, patients and ambulances will be redirected to other hospitals.
A dozen nurses and several respiratory therapists are missing for the emergency room to function normally.
This is the first time in its history that the Lachine Hospital has been forced to reduce its services in this way.
A mobilization took place Sunday at 2 p.m. in front of the Lachine hospital. Doctors, nurses and politicians were present to show their support.
Dr. Paul Saba, President of the Council of Physicians of the Lachine Hospital, wishes to challenge Quebec Premier François Legault on this subject.
“You know health, you are a former Minister of Health. You are the prime minister, you must issue an executive order to keep our emergency open 24/7. A community hospital without emergency is not a hospital, ”argued Dr Saba.
Dr Saba also specified that it is the only French-speaking hospital in the west of the island, and that it serves nearly 250,000 people.
He also asked for incentives to pay nurses and respiratory therapists to receive the same premiums as downtown.
“The MUHC has stolen our staff, it’s unfair, and Mr. Legault is able to keep our emergency rooms open 24/7,” lamented Dr. Saba.
“A reorganization is not an emergency closure,” said Dominique Anglade, leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ). “We are in an unprecedented situation. What I ask François Legault is to come here, there are solutions ”.
“I am in support of the population, but also in support of the people in the health sector who are here with us today to say that this is not acceptable and that there are solutions. The government must get out of its ivory tower, come into the field and resolve the situation. And if they need money, I would like to remind you that the one million dollars that we pay for unvaccinated people to go for tests should be invested in bonuses to support people who can come here ” , she added.
Liberal MP for Marquette, Enrico Ciccone, also found it deplorable that his calls to the government to keep the emergency open were not heeded.
“Listen, it’s a local, community hospital that serves a poor and aging population. People here live in precariousness. It is unacceptable that people are going to show up here and come up against a closed door, ”believes the deputy.
He also mentioned that he found the exodus of healthcare workers leaving for downtown hospitals worrying.