By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
Brome Lake residents who need to provide blood, stool and urine samples for lab tests will once again be able to do so by appointment at the CLSC Lac-Brome as of Oct. 15.
However, nursing care services will not be offered for the time being, the BCN has learned.
The CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS announced in late May that the CLSC Lac-Brome would close from June 17 to Sept. 8 due to summer staff shortages. The closure was later extended until Oct. 15. The CIUSSS announced the return of lab test services by appointment earlier this month. The services will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
“As for other services, a community consultation committee will be set up to clearly define the needs of the population and reassess our service offering. This committee will be composed of members of community organizations, members of the community and will be led by a representative of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS,” CIUSSS spokesperson Nancy Corriveau told the BCN.
Before the closure, the CLSC was open four days a week until 4 p.m. and offered nursing care, including vaccinations, wound care, cancer treatment and prenatal care consultations. Until further notice, patients who had been receiving nursing care in Brome Lake will have to go to clinics in Bromont, Sutton, Cowansville or surrounding communities.
Brome Lake Mayor Richard Burcombe was clearly frustrated about the “lack of communication” from the CIUSSS. “We found out about this [partial reopening] from a citizen who went to make an appointment on Clic Santé,” he said.
“I can’t believe it will only be open for two mornings a week, and for any other service, you’ll have to go to Cowansville,” said Burcombe. “There’s nothing else available in the community. We will still work on getting it open four days a week. We’re happy about the two days a week, but we wanted normal service.”
As for the consultative committee proposed by the CIUSSS, Town of Brome Lake spokesperson Ghyslain Forcier told the BCN, “that is not something that’s been communicated to us.”
The CLSC Lac-Brome serves residents of the town of Brome Lake, Brome Village, West Bolton and parts of Potton and Sutton.