Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist
GASPÉ – The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) must find $20 million to balance its $560 million budget allocated by Santé Québec for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
“That’s what we’re currently finalizing,” says President and CEO of the CISSS Martin Pelletier. “We need to present a balanced budget, and we’re $20 million short of last year’s actual spending. That’s going to involve some tough choices,” admits Mr. Pelletier.
The CISSS is one of the institutions most affected by the budgetary constraints, with Santé Québec requesting the equivalent of a 4.6% cut of its overall budget, the largest share in the province.
“It’s a lot for us. If we didn’t have the independent workforce, which costs $25 million, we wouldn’t be talking about cost reduction. We have no choice but to use it, because otherwise, it would result in service disruptions,” explains the CEO.
The CEO explains that the calculation method is based on clinical financial performance. Mr. Pelletier cites the example of the obstetrics department. “The number of births in the Gaspé versus the cost, makes a baby’s (delivery and care) cost higher than elsewhere and is considered inefficient. It’s a parametric calculation done at head office. We’re at a disadvantage from the start because we have four hospitals in a large area for a population of 80,000.” In the city, a single hospital can optimally serve 80,000 residents,” he says.
Recognizing the unique nature of the Gaspé Peninsula healthcare network continues with Santé Québec. “This is a reality that we will debate and that is well known to Santé Québec’s senior management. But the order has been placed, and we must submit a balanced budget,” explains Mr. Pelletier.
Testing Centre
After being criticized since its establishment at Place Jacques-Cartier last fall, the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS relocated the testing centre to the former emergency room at Gaspé hospital on June 2.
The idea of conducting blood tests in a shopping centre has generated criticism from users due to accessibility issues, particularly for people with reduced mobility.
Financial constraints led to the decision to move this centre to a site belonging to the CISSS. Similar changes will be implemented in other local networks, except in the Baie-des-Chaleurs, where lack of space prevents the repatriation of collection centres.
Dentistry
After being criticized since its establishment at Place Jacques-Cartier last fall, the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS relocated the testing centre to the former emergency room at Gaspé hospital on June 2.
The idea of conducting blood tests in a shopping centre has generated criticism from users due to accessibility issues, particularly for people with reduced mobility.
Financial constraints led to the decision to move this centre to a site belonging to the CISSS. Similar changes will be implemented in other local networks, except in the Baie-des-Chaleurs, where lack of space prevents the repatriation of collection centres.
Dentistry
Aware of the need for dentistry throughout the Gaspé Peninsula, the CISSS is focusing on properly operating the centre located in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
Regularly on social media, Gaspesians bring attention to the limited access to a dentist in the region. Residents must travel to Matane, Rimouski, or even Quebec City for treatment
The President and CEO of the CISSS must first self-finance the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts centre. “We had money to start the project. Now we’re in the self-financing phase. The challenge is that we’re using independent labour, which costs more than employees. Revenues must increase significantly to offset these costs,” says Mr. Pelletier. Grande-Vallée and Port-Daniel-Gascons were the other targeted sectors.
“It’s still in the planning phases, but we need to self-finance Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to be able to move on to the next stage,” the director concluded.