2023-06-21 16:22:15
(Quebec) Even if the absenteeism rate is lower than last year, the staff shortage is forcing the reduction of services in four emergency rooms and two obstetrics departments this summer. This list could also grow longer, warns Minister Christian Dubé, who ensures that “alternatives” are offered.
Updated yesterday at 2:05 p.m.
The summer of 2022 had been particularly difficult in the health and social services network due to the seventh wave of the pandemic which hit early in the season with the resumption of festivals. When it came time to leave for vacation last year, some 60,000 employees were away. This year, the absenteeism rate is back to normal with approximately 54,000 workers missing.
Despite this positive note, service cuts will be inevitable in certain regions of Quebec, said the Minister of Health on Wednesday. “On a network of 350,000 [employés]it’s still a lot, ”admitted the minister on his arrival at the Council of Ministers.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Christian Dube
According to a latest update, four emergency rooms will be partially closed (Fortierville, Coaticook, Lachine Hospital, La Mitis) and two obstetrics departments (Pontiac Hospital and Roberval). The situation could worsen depending on the holidays, said Mr. Dubé.
In the list I saw, there were six [réductions], but it is certain that by July, in the summit, there will be perhaps eight, perhaps ten. We asked all our CEOs to plan ahead.
Christian Dubé, Minister of Health
The Minister explained that he had asked the CEOs of the establishments to plan their contingency plan for the summer and to notify the population in advance. The list of service reorganizations is also available online, as are the “alternatives” offered to emergencies, such as the First Line Access Counter (GAP) and the 8-1-1 line (and pediatric line) .
“This is the big difference, there are several options that we did not have last year”, underlined Mr. Dubé, recalling that the GAP in particular, was not yet deployed everywhere in the province in the summer. last.
Placement agencies
Despite the adoption of Bill 10, which puts an end to recourse to agencies in the health network, the regulations that will govern several practices, including tariffs, are still awaited. Mr. Dubé reiterated that the regulation to impose ceiling rates will be published soon. ” It’s necessary [que les tarifs soient plafonnés dès cet été] “, he assured, referring to” a matter of days or weeks “.
The latter was also satisfied that the Autorité des marchés publics was launching an investigation into allegations of irregularities revealed by The Press allegedly committed by bidders in a mammoth government tender to retain the services of private employment agencies in the health sector.
This call for tenders is for 8 million hours of work per year in the network. This is the equivalent of more than 4,500 full-time workers over a full year.
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