More than 130 Bedford and area residents met on a warm June 17 evening to discuss health concerns after the recent cancellation of the expansion of the region’s CHSLD. Photo by William Crooks
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
A large crowd of over 130 locals gathered at the Bedford Community Centre for a public meeting focusing on local health services, particularly the Centre d’hébergement de soins de longue durée (CHSLD). Organized by the Bedford Health Committee, the meeting June 17 featured local elected officials, health professionals, and concerned citizens. The CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS announced late last week that they will not proceed with the long-planned $15-million expansion of the CHSLD de Bedford.
Pierrette Messier, chair of the Bedford Health Committee, kicked things off at 7 p.m. by welcoming attendees. “We didn’t expect such a large turnout, but we’re very happy to see this level of interest. We have a tight schedule with a lot of information to share and have allotted a significant 20-minute Q&A period at the end,” she stated. She emphasized the evening’s focus on health issues impacting the region’s seniors, particularly within the context of CHSLD services.
Presentation of health statistics and challenges
Marie-Claude Morier, a member of the Bedford Health Committee, presented demographic statistics from the 2021 census. “Our region has a significantly higher percentage of seniors, with 24.95 per cent aged 65 and over, compared to the provincial average. This number is likely even higher now,” she explained.
She also shared findings from a recent news article highlighting the increasing demand for long-term care services across Quebec. “While the provincial average predicts 25 per cent of the population will need long-term care by 2031, our region has already reached this threshold,” she noted.
CHSLD bed reductions and project delays
The crux of the meeting centered on recent announcements regarding bed reductions at the Bedford CHSLD and the indefinite delay of its expansion project. Messier outlined the timeline of these developments, starting with the initial disclosure in early June.
“The adjustment of summer service schedules included a notable reduction from 42 to 30 beds at Bedford CHSLD, a 30 per cent cut compared to smaller reductions elsewhere,” Messier highlighted, prompting questions about the fairness and rationale behind this decision.
The committee had sought clarity from the CIUSSS de l’Estrie, the regional health authority, on several points: Why was Bedford specifically targeted for such significant cuts? Would the beds be restored post-summer? And how would these changes impact the long-awaited expansion project? The community’s frustration was palpable as they viewed these questions have remained largely unanswered.
Community and political advocacy
Messier detailed the committee’s proactive measures, including press releases to local media outlets, presentations to municipal councils, and direct appeals to the CIUSSS board. These efforts aimed to rally public support and seek accountability from health authorities. “Our goal is to maintain and improve the healthcare services we have in Bedford, a fight we’ve been committed to for over a decade,” she affirmed.
CIUSSS representatives’ response
Annie Boisvert, Deputy Director General of CIUSSS de l’Estrie, and Rosane Rivard, Director of Residential Services, attended the meeting to address these concerns directly. Boisvert acknowledged the emotional and critical nature of the issue. “We’re here because, like you, we care deeply about the health of our community. We aim to provide clarity and work together towards solutions,” she began.
Boisvert explained that the decision to reduce beds was based on a new method of calculating demand, introduced in 2023, which prioritized the residents’ or their families’ first choice. “Our data showed that the current number of beds at Bedford CHSLD meets the current demand, with some beds even remaining unoccupied,” she stated. This assessment led to the conclusion that the planned expansion was no longer justified under current needs.
Impact on summer staffing and bed allocation
Rivard elaborated on the staffing challenges exacerbated by the summer vacation period, necessitating the temporary bed reduction. “Currently, we’re short 2-4 personal care attendants daily. This, coupled with agency staff unavailability during summer, means we must adjust our operations to ensure safety and service quality,” she explained. Rivard reassured attendees that no residents would be relocated; the reduction would occur naturally as beds became vacant.
Question and answer period
The Q&A session provided an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and seek further clarification. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of frustration and determination as attendees posed their questions.
Louise Getty, President of the Bedford CHSLD Resident Committee, was the first to speak. She emphasized the need for improved communication. “Last week’s crisis was due to poor communication. We must speak more and ensure everyone is well informed,” she urged. Getty’s comment was met with nods and murmurs of agreement from the audience.
A resident named Patricia, who identified herself as the owner of a local senior residence, expressed skepticism about the bed availability claims. “I have residents who are originally from Bedford and the surrounding area who have been waiting for a place at Bedford CHSLD for over a year. They had to go elsewhere because there were no beds available. How can you say there’s no demand?” she asked pointedly.
Rivard responded by explaining the prioritization process. “The selection is based on the first choice of the resident or their family. If Bedford is not listed as the first choice, even if they prefer it, they might not get placed there immediately. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s preferences,” she said.
One meeting attendee pointed out that seniors might decline a spot in Bedford because of the requirement in some cases to share a room, an issue that could be resolved with an expansion allowing the CHSLD residents more privacy.
Another resident questioned the logic behind the summer bed reductions. “If we have to cut beds due to staff shortages, what happens if no one leaves the CHSLD? Will the staff still get their vacations?” he asked.
Boisvert assured him that the bed reductions were planned carefully to align with expected vacancies. “We will not force anyone out. The reductions will occur naturally through attrition. This approach ensures that our staff can take their necessary vacations without compromising resident care,” she reiterated.
A particularly emotional moment came when a woman named Julie, whose elderly mother was on a waiting list, questioned the impact of delayed expansions on quality of life. “My mother has been waiting for over a year. How can you justify delaying the expansion when we have an aging population that clearly needs more support?” she asked.
Boisvert empathized with Julie’s situation, acknowledging the difficult position many families found themselves in. “We understand the frustration and hardship this causes. The expansion delay was not a decision made lightly. We’re focusing on optimizing current resources to meet immediate needs while planning for sustainable long-term solutions,” she explained.
Messier details next steps
The CIUSSS representatives left the meeting at 8:30 p.m., but it continued on into the night. Messier spoke to The Record June 18, outlining the rest of the meeting and the agreed upon next steps that would be taken.
A significant moment occurred when a resident presented a petition for improving the CHSLD, which will be circulated throughout the town. “We’re placing petitions in strategic locations across the town and surrounding areas,” said Messier, highlighting the community’s collective effort to gather support.
Another focal point was the need for local workers at the CHSLD. “We’re looking for people from our region to work here,” Messier stated. Bedford, while geographically closer to Montérégie, falls under the healthcare jurisdiction of Estrie, complicating staffing efforts.
The community was urged to direct interested candidates to submit their resumes to a local foundation. “Initially, we told people to send resumes directly to the CIUSSS, but we’re unsure if they were received. Now, we’re ensuring they reach the right place,” explained Messier.
A recurring issue discussed was the inconsistency in bed availability at the CHSLD. Despite residents facing long wait times and rejections due to alleged lack of space, it was revealed that multiple rooms had been vacant over the winter. “There’s a disconnect here,” Messier said. “We know people who’ve tried to get in and were told there’s no room, yet now they’re saying rooms were empty.”
The meeting also addressed efforts to repatriate local residents currently housed in other CHSLDs. “If you know anyone in other CHSLDs who wants to return to Bedford, provide their names, and we’ll ensure they are prioritized,” Messier said the community was told. This move aims to bring back residents from nearby towns like Sutton, Farnham, and Granby to Bedford.
The final segment of the meeting involved a discussion on advocating at the political level. Bedford’s mayor, Claude Dubois, emphasized the need to escalate the issue, with a scheduled meeting with Brome-Missisquoi MNA Isabelle Charest as a crucial next step.
In closing, many attendees signed the petition on-site, with one family expressing their desire to bring their mother back from Farnham to Bedford. “There’s a significant breach of trust between the CIUSSS and our community,” Messier concluded.