Pregnant women could drive more than two hours to give birth due to the disruption of service in the obstetrics department at the hospital in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, in Gaspésie.
• Read also: Obstetrics services are lacking in Gaspésie
Normally, 12 nurses are needed to keep the service running, but only three have been carrying the burden on their shoulders for several weeks.
“There was so much pressure on these nurses to work day, evening and night that the rubber band broke,” denounced the president of the Union of Nurses, Auxiliary Nurses and Respiratory Therapists of Eastern Quebec. -Quebec, Pier-Luc Bujold.
In addition, they had to work simultaneously in the departments of obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, medicine and palliative care.
Photo taken from Facebook
Pier-Luc Bujold, the president of the regional union which represents nurses among others.
Until November 10
The announcement by the CISSS de la Gaspésie explaining that the temporary closure in effect since October 12 will continue until November 10 has raised discontent in the population and among stakeholders.
“A month of service disruption is very worrying, it’s a major disruption,” noted Mr. Bujold in an interview with The newspaper.
The most “lucky” who leave from the west of the hospital will “only” drive an hour on Route 132 to give birth, but those who leave from Mont-Louis could drive two hours in sometimes difficult conditions. , supports the president of the Syndicate.
The concerned mayor
“It is certain that there is always a concern, but on the other hand I know that currently pregnant women have a judicious follow-up with the team of doctors in place”, affirms the mayor of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts , Simon Deschenes.
He made sure that the six women who are currently 36 weeks and more pregnant are taken care of. In addition, emergency deliveries will still take place at the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital.
“It’s not an ideal situation. […] There are no magic wands,” added Stéphane Sainte-Croix, newly elected MNA for Gaspé. This ensures that the communication channels are open and that the leaders are in solution mode for the reopening of the service on November 10.