Sarah Pledge Dickson, LJI Journalist
Representatives from 30 different health and social service groups from across the Pontiac spent Saturday morning in the Pontiac High School gym sharing information about the many forms of support they make available to residents of the region.
At the gathering – a sort of informal networking event for people looking to learn about what services are available to them – bingo cards were handed out to guests to encourage them to speak with as many service providers as possible. Each visit to an organization’s kiosk was another signature on the bingo card, which could be entered in a draw for a door prize.
“It makes me happy that people are leaving with so much information and saying things like, ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t even know this existed,’” said Shelley Heaphy, community engagement and outreach coordinator for Connexions in the Pontiac.
She said that while some people might not need all the information about what services are available to them at this moment, having a sense for the support available could be helpful down the road.
Healthcare hotline how-to
The event also featured two presentations from representatives of the Quebec government’s 8-1-1 healthcare hotline about the many types of services that can be accessed by calling this number.
CISSSO employees Marion Coulombe and Simona Hudema explained option 1 can be used to speak directly to a nurse who can provide medical advice regarding symptoms such as vomiting or a fever and can advise whether or not you should go to the emergency room based on those symptoms.
Option 2 is a social services option, which Hudema and Coulombe said can often be misinterpreted. Hudema explained that option 2 allows people to speak with someone about mental health concerns or for help connecting with other services, such as a pharmacist to refill a prescription. Hudema also explained that the services are local, so you’ll be connected with someone who can help you in the Pontiac.
Option 3 is a new option that allows people without a family doctor or who are on a waiting list for a family doctor to get an appointment in their region.
Nicole Boucher-Larivière, CISSSO’s Pontiac director, said that option 3 can help people avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room.
“Option 3 is amazing because it allows everybody to have access to a family doctor when it’s medically necessary,” Boucher-Larivière said. “This is a way where people can get services without having to worry about emergency rooms.”
Hudema said that option 3 allows people to connect with the right medical professional.
“The point of 8-1-1 option 3 is to make sure that you have the right professional at the right time, because not every situation needs you to see a doctor or go to the ER,” Hudema said. “If you don’t have a family doctor or you’re on the waiting list, they will put you in contact as soon as possible with the right professional.”
Boucher-Larivière explained that it means everyone can get access to a family doctor.
“Nobody is without access to a family doctor,” Boucher Larivière said. “It might be a different one every time you use the service until you actually get a family doctor, but at least there’s a way to see somebody.”