‘Lack of communication unacceptable’: Mayor
By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
The CLSC Lac-Brome will remain closed until at least mid-October, the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS has confirmed.
The CLSC, which serves residents of Brome Lake, Brome Village, West Bolton and parts of Sutton and surrounding towns, closed June 17 due to a seasonal staffing shortage It was initially expected to reopen Sept. 9.
“Teams of staff are actively working to allow for reopening around October 15,” Élizabeth Dubé, a spokesperson for the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, told the BCN. “The details of the reopening are as-yet undefined because we’re currently evaluating the situation. We’ll keep you posted.”
Dubé said the labour shortage and new provincial government restrictions on hiring staff from outside agencies made it “impossible to consider a reopening at this time.”
Town officials in Brome Lake realized the closure might go on longer than initially planned in early September, when they started receiving calls from worried constituents unable to book appointments for blood tests or nursing consultations at the CLSC in the fall.
“The communication has not been that great with the CIUSSS,” Mayor Richard Burcombe acknowledged. “Back in June [when the closure was first announced], we questioned whether the CLSC would reopen. We are not very hopeful, based on what we’ve heard for the last three months. We got no prior notification from the CIUSSS [of the extended closure]. The lack of communication is unacceptable.”
Burcombe said he was “very disappointed” with the prolonged closure, especially in light of recent cuts to Sureté du Québec patrols in the area. “It’s very disturbing to see cuts to health care and police and public safety … they’re cutting everywhere.”
“This is a service that’s needed in Brome Lake, with 33 per cent of our population aged 65 and older. Now they have to go to Cowansville for blood tests, wound care and follow-up nursing care.” For those that don’t drive, he added, “it’s not always easy to get a ride.”
Patterson launches petition
Coun. Lee Patterson, acting in a personal capacity, has launched a bilingual online petition calling on the CIUSSS to reopen the CLSC, which has received nearly 700 signatures as of this writing.
“I know Mayor Burcombe and [Brome-Missisquoi MNA] Isabelle Charest are in contact with the CIUSSS, but I thought maybe the CIUSSS underestimated the challenges [that the closure creates],” he said. “Mobilizing the population sends a clear message that citizens support what their elected officials are doing. The political messages have been sent, and now it’s time for the population to say they want services to come back.”
“The CIUSSS is so huge, and I understand why they might want to centralize things like nursing care in Cowansville, but that’s not great for us,” he added. “What might look easy for the CIUSSS on paper is a big disruption in Brome Lake and West Bolton.”
Dubé, the CIUSSS spokesperson, said Brome Lake residents could make appointments at other CLSCs in the region for vaccination, tests and lab work. “Appointment availability and opening hours may be increased to meet the needs of all Estrie localities,” she added.
The CLSC de Sutton, which had its opening hours reduced in June of this year at the same time the Brome Lake closure was announced, was expected to return to its regular hours of operation on Sept. 15, Dubé said.
Those who wish to sign Patterson’s petition can do so at knowlton.quebec. Interested people can also download and circulate paper copies in the community.