Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter
As part of the $1.5 billion in budget cuts announced by Santé Québec, the Centre Intégré de Santé et des Services Sociaux de la Montérégie-Ouest (CISSSMO) is looking to reduce spending within the regional healthcare system by $140 million.
In a recent report by La Presse, the integrated health and social service centres were asked to submit plans for cutting costs; and for the first time, these plans could include measures that would more directly affect user services. The report identified programs such as local service points, and the network of Aire Ouverte locations was among those being targeted by budget compressions.
The CISSSMO does not offer a local service point in the Haut-Saint-Laurent region; however, locals make use of the services being offered at the Centre Valleyfield shopping centre location, which opened in 2021. Available services include vaccinations, blood work, and screening for colorectal cancer, pertussis, and streptococcus A.
Other nearby points of service operated by the CISSSMO are in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Chateauguay, and Mercier. While there is no direct service point, a mobile team provides certain of these services in the Haut-Saint-Laurent.
A representative for the CISSSMO’s communications and public affairs department would not confirm whether these local points of service in operation would be affected by budget cuts.
“With regard to local points of service, our management committee is still analyzing this service in order to limit the impact on users,” they said. “With the need to return to a balanced budget, all services are being reviewed with a view to offering and quality services, at the lowest possible cost.”
Last year at least 24,568 vaccine doses were administered at the Valleyfield service point, while 741 individuals were screened for COVID-19 or influenza. A total of 474 screenings for colorectal cancer took place, as well as 642 tests for streptococcus A, and 196 tests for pertussis. The staff at the service point filled 15,376 appointments for blood work in the last year as well.
Aire Ouverte to remain
While the CISSSMO representative was less direct about the future of local service centres, they confirmed the regional health authority would be maintaining its Aire Ouverte activities “throughout the Suroît, Haut-Saint-Laurent, and Jardins Roussillon territories.” They noted, however, that in order to continue to ensure coverage of the entire region, service hours would be adjusted.
There is currently a permanent Aire Ouverte location in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, as well as satellite offices in partnership with the Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi locations in Huntingdon, Chateauguay, and Roussillon. Another satellite office is open in Beauharnois in partnership with the self-help centre Le Dahlia.
Each of these locations provide health services for 12- to 25-year-olds, including mental and sexual health, free of charge and without an appointment.
The CISSSMO notes that Aire Ouverte staff in Valleyfield will continue to welcome clients from across the CISSSMO territory. Teleconsultations are also available when required to ensure services are accessible for all those who need them.