clsc

CLSC in Low saved

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By Trevor Greenway

The Low CLSC has been spared. It will not close, and it will not be reduced to one day a week, according to the CISSS de l’Outaouais (CISSSO). 

The CLSC in Low was, at one point this spring, on the chopping block to either close or reduce its hours to just one day a week. However CISSSO has confirmed to the Low Down that “there is no change to the CLSC’s service offer” in Low. 

“Local services are important to the population, especially those on the outskirts of urban areas. We are working to maintain them,” Santé Québec spokesperson Marianne Paquette told the Low Down.

This welcome but surprising decision to keep the Low CLSC open comes as part of a wider announcement by Santé Québec that that the initial $90 million that CISSSO was mandated to cut from its budget has been slashed in half – down to $45 million. With CISSSO having already cut $60 million from its budget in January, no more funding cuts are coming to the Outaouais. 

“The CISSS de l’Outaouais has a budget optimization target of $45 million. Given that we have already implemented measures to meet the objectives of the last financial period, no further measures will be implemented in terms of job cuts or major reorganizations,” Santé Québec spokesperson Qeren Boua told the Low Down in an email. “As our efforts in the last period amounted to almost 60 million, the remaining dollars will be used to absorb, among other things, the cost of inflation.”

In mid-March, CISSSO cut $60 million from its budget in an effort to help Santé Québec to slash $1.5 billion from its healthcare network. Those cuts came in the form of 800 health positions being abolished – a majority of them vacant jobs. The actual job cuts were around 100 staff, mostly in administrative positions. Santé Québec’s latest budget will see it cut $1 billion from its health network instead of $1.5 billion.

Paquette said that the province’s centralized health department is using three criteria to finalize and “optimize” budgets across regions, with tightening spending at the forefront. 

Paquette said her agency will have a “complete and more accurate picture of the situation” once its audited financial statements for Santé Québec are approved by its board of directors in June. 

MRC Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Prefect Chantal Lamarche told the Low Down in April that she would “refuse” to see the Low CLSC close. After hearing about Santé Québec’s budget revisions this week, she was much happier.

“This is excellent news for our community, and I would like to highlight the work done in collaboration with the CISSSO to get to this point,” wrote Lamarche in an email. “I remain committed to defending the accessibility and quality of health services in our region.” 

Despite slashing the amount of what needed to be cut in half, advocates say they worry about the current state of healthcare in the region, as a cut of $45 million still puts the Outaouais far below funding compared to other regions of Quebec. 

“Reducing from $90 million to $45 million is not a victory; it is proof that the initial approach lacked nuance and would have unfairly impacted an already vulnerable region,” said SOS Outaouais spokesperson Jean Pigeon in a statement last week. 

He noted that the Observatoire de développement de l’Outaouais has estimated that the Outaouais region faces a funding shortfall of $180 million when compared to other regions in Quebec. 

“It is imperative that the government finally take our regional realities into account,” he said.

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Prefect says she will fight for Low CLSC

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By Trevor Greenway

Chantal Lamarche says that she will do everything in her power to save the Low CLSC from closure. 

The MRC Vallée-de-la-Gatineau prefect said that she has been told by the CISSS de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) that the up-the-line clinic is on the chopping block and could be closed for good, as the regional health authority looks to cut another $30 million from its budget. 

“As [prefect], I refuse to see the disappearance of this local service, which is essential to our community,” wrote Lamarche in an email to the Low Down. “The building also houses home-care nurses, making it a critical point for our citizens. The chronic underfunding of the Outaouais for over 40 years must end. We demand that decisions take into account the reality of our territories.”

The Low CLSC has already been slashed down to one day a week, which has impacted Low residents, many of whom are elderly and immobile and can’t travel to Wakefield or Maniwaki to see a doctor. Lamarche said she is pressuring the CAQ government to “review these cuts and take into account the specific needs of the region.”

“It is imperative that alternative solutions be considered to ensure adequate funding and effective management of resources, thereby ensuring access to quality healthcare for all Outaouais residents,” she said.

CISSSO CEO Marc Bilodeau refused to comment on the potential closure and directed the Low Down to Santé Quebec for comment. Representatives of Quebec’s new non-partisan health department would not grant an interview and instead sent a statement saying that no decisions have been made on the closure of CLSCs in the province. 

“No changes are currently planned for the services offered at the various CLSCs,” wrote Santé Quebec’s media relations department. “Local services are important to the population, particularly those on the outskirts of urban areas. We are working to maintain them, despite the current difficult budgetary context.”

That “difficult budgetary context” is Santé Quebec’s austerity measures, in which it is looking to slash $1.5 billion from the province’s health budget by spring. The CISSSO already cut 800 health positions in the region earlier this spring. Another $30 million still needs to be cut from the CISSSO budget, which is why CLSCs in places like Low could be on the chopping block. 

SOS Outaouais’ Jean Pigeon told the Low Down that because CISSSO already cut services back to one day a week at the Low CLSC, patient numbers will naturally be down. The president of the regional health advocacy group said he worries CISSSO will use this data to show that the clinic isn’t getting used and therefore should be closed. 

“They test it, and then they say, ‘Well, nobody’s going to this point anymore.’ Of course! You’ve closed four days out of five days which you were open,” said Pigeon. “If there’s fewer services to offer, of course there’ll be less people that can use them. And then you shut it down, claiming that there’s no demand. It’s nonsense.”

Low seniors worry about home care 

With the potential closure of the CLSC in Low, seniors are beginning to worry if they will still be able to rely on home-care nurses who are based out of the clinic. Interim director-general of the Paugan Falls Seniors’ Residence Colette Canavan told the Low Down that she worries that it won’t be feasible for some seniors to grow old in Low. With an aging population, she doesn’t know where many of them will go. 

“What’s going to happen now with the cutbacks in home care, which they’ve cut a lot?” said Canavan.  “We’re going to see residents – seniors who are autonomous, but who need help – we’re going to see a possibility of having to say, ‘Sorry, you have to leave.’ So this is far more serious than what first appeared.”

Low council passed a resolution in late March decrying the cuts and demanding a meeting with local officials, including the region’s MNA, Robert Bussière. The motion touches on the potential closure, as well as language barriers for local residents. 

“[Low] stands united with its citizens in protesting these cuts and commits to advocating to the future well-being of all residents, ensuring transparency and proper communication regarding any proposed changes to local services,” the motion read. It was passed at Low’s council meeting on March 25 . 

Gatineau MNA Bussière did not respond to the Low Down’s questions. It’s unclear if he responded to Low council. 

Prefect says she will fight for Low CLSC Read More »

Low seniors worried about health cuts

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Trevor Greenway
Local Journalism Initiative

Kent Canavan’s mouth was filling with blood and he needed emergency help. 

He had just had his wisdom teeth out and was bleeding profusely at his home in Low. 

He rushed over to the CLSC to get some more bandages and have his wound looked at, but when he arrived, the doors were locked. It was lunchtime, and nobody came to help him, so he rushed back home to try to stop the bleeding.

“The door [to the CLSC] was locked, and I ended up going back to my apartment, and I ended up on the floor – I passed out,” said Canavan to the mayor, councillors and those gathered on March 14 during an emergency CLSC meeting in Low. 

The meeting was called after residents were told that the town’s only medical clinic – the CLSC – would be reducing its hours to just one day a week, by appointment only. Close to a dozen seniors were present at the meeting, telling their personal stories and the fears they have about the potential cuts. 

“The blood was coming out so bad at the time that, when I did come to, I grabbed a facecloth and rammed it into the crevices to slow down the bleeding,” added Canavan about his incident last year, before the impending reduction to one day a week. Now, he is worried that things will get even worse for patients in Low. 

Fellow Low resident Debbie Cameron was in tears as she spoke about the constant support she needs from a home care nurse to look after her severely disabled son, who is a quadriplegic and suffers from dysphagia, spina bifida, diabetes and hydrocephalus. She said with the looming health cuts, in which $1.5 billion is being cut from healthcare in Quebec and $90 million in the Outaouais – home care services could be cut by 50 per cent, and she doesn’t know what she will do. 

“He can’t even scratch his own nose, he can’t feed himself, he has difficulty speaking,” she said through sobs, as she described her son’s daily struggles. “I need support badly.” 

Cameron said that her son’s home care nurse is “wonderful,” but she knows just how overworked she is. When Cameron’s 42-year-old son had an operation in Montreal last year, his home care nurse had to come every single day to drain the wound, and she said she worries how the cuts will affect her son’s quality of life.  “They bend over backwards, but the time constraints – they are given too many people to look after, so they can’t do their jobs properly,” said Cameron.

Low Coun. Lee Angus was present at the meeting and said that councillors feel helpless in the fight for healthcare up the line, as residents have been faced with diminishing services for close to a decade. He said cutting services to just one day a week at the CLSC will have a detrimental effect on the region’s aging population.

“And you have to make an appointment when you want to go?” asked Angus. “So, you gotta plan when you’re going to be sick. It’s pretty pathetic to have a building there and nobody to man it and no services. I have been sick before and had to drive to Gracefield to get service, and that’s fine for me – I have a vehicle, I can do that – but there are lots of people who live around the village who don’t have vehicles and can’t get there.”

Low Mayor Carol Robert echoed some of Angus’ statements at the meeting, saying that her council feels a bit powerless in the fight for healthcare. She said that her council can put forth resolutions to try to pressure the province to make certain decisions, but ultimately Low doesn’t “have the power to change the health system.”

“The only thing we can do is put forth a really strong resolution, pinpointing all the points that were made here today and not only send it to all the other levels of the ministry but also the MRC, so that all the mayors support our resolution,” she said. “We’re not the only ones that are being hit – up north it’s the same thing, so they will support our resolution.”

Resident Colette Canavan, who has been an advocate for healthcare up the line, said at the meeting that the CLSC in Low will officially be reduced to one day a week, by appointment only, as of April 1. This has not been confirmed by CISSSO. 

The cuts are part of the province’s austerity measures that will see $1.5 billion cut from the health sector by March 1. 

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A family’s journey with Alzheimer’s 

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Holly Smith, LJI Journalist

NEW CARLISLE – Alzheimer’s disease is more than just statistics, it’s an emotional journey that profoundly impacts many families. According to Statistics Canada, approximately 750,000 Canadians are living with the disease, with 414 new cases diagnosed daily. Behind every number is a story of love, heartache, and strength. Amy Day’s is one such story. The young woman is bravely sharing her grandmother’s journey with Alzheimer’s on social media (Tiktok), vividly painting a picture of the pain and beauty that come with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. 

“When I was younger, I would sleep with my Nanny pretty much every night. My first memory of her would have to be her playing with my hair as I went to sleep while singing, You Are My Sunshine. We were each other’s sunshine and still are. We shared so many wonderful memories, from playing sports outside in the summer to fishing at Lac Duval and walking the beach to look for cool rocks. The list goes on. There’s nothing my Grandmother didn’t do for me,” she adds. 

However, in 2020, Amy noticed subtle changes in her grandmother. “I started noticing that she would repeat herself a lot. I was living in the city at the time, but would talk to her on the phone 99 times a day. She started to tell me the same stories over and over, and I’d have to say, ‘Nanny, you just told me that, remember?’ I think that’s when she realized it too. On my first vacation home after that, we went down to the beach for a walk. She told me the same story within a 20-minute span. I said, ‘Nanny, I really think something is wrong.’ She looked at me with nothing but heartbreak in her eyes and said, ‘I know,’ and we both cried.” 

The diagnosis brought waves of emotion. “It was hard. There was also a lot of guilt,” says Amy, who wondered if they should have brought her Nanny to the doctor sooner. During that period the family went through many emotions. “I was always so afraid to lose my grandmother; I just never thought I’d have to lose her in this way,” says Amy. 

Upon her grandmother’s diagnosis, the family immediately educated themselves on the disease. Amy’s family, including her grandfather and Aunt Selena, have been essential in caregiving. “My grandfather does everything now, along with Aunt Selena and myself. We have to make sacrifices, but it’s our turn to take care of her, just as she did for us our whole lives. My grandmother’s family doctor has been amazing in helping us through this process. She checks in on Nanny regularly and gives us the tools necessary to take care of her. At this point, we are her resources, and we’re doing the best we can,” states Amy. 

For families like Amy’s on the coast, the Société Alzheimer Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (SAGIM) offers a lifeline. This organization provides tailored services to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Programs include personalized counselling, support groups, and workshops designed to manage the emotional and physical toll of caregiving. 

Other vital resources include the Centre d’action bénévole (CAB), which provides services such as transportation to medical appointments, friendly visits, and meal deliveries. The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) also plays a significant role with its memory clinics. The Clinic provides specialized assessment and treatment for individuals 65+ and younger adults with cognitive disorders, focusing on maintaining autonomy and optimal functioning at home for as long as possible. To access memory clinic services, a doctor’s referral must be sent to the clinic’s liaison nurse. If you don’t have a family doctor, you can request assistance through the Chandler CLSC home care window. The clinical nurse will review your request and inform you of your eligibility. Multi-Services Corporation d’Aide is another essential resource in the region, committed to supporting the elderly and those losing their autonomy be helping them maintain their independence within their natural living environment. 

Despite the resources available, the personal impact of the disease is undeniable. Amy reflects on the changes in her relationship with her grandmother: “My grandmother raised me; she’s like my mother. She was my shoulder to cry on, the person I’d call when I needed someone. She was my rock. Not having that anymore has been so hard. She remembers my name sometimes, especially when I remind her, ‘Remember the little girl you raised, Nanny?’ and she’ll say, ‘Yes, Amy, she’s a good girl.’” 

Amy also cherishes the joyful moments that remain. “She has always had a great sense of humour, even now while fighting Alzheimer’s. She’s always cracking little jokes, singing, and dancing. I see her pretty much every day. Sometimes, she’ll ask me to lay in bed with her, and I do. I’ll sing to her, and she’ll fall right asleep. The roles have reversed, but the love is still there.” 

Amy offers a final piece of heartfelt advice to others in similar situations: “Please be patient and try your best to stay strong for them! When your loved one with Alzheimer’s repeats themselves, go with it. Listen to them. Even if it’s the same story over and over. Remember that love, it never dies. The feeling will always remain. When my Nanny sees me, even though she may not remember me, I know she remembers the love. I know she can feel it. Be with them until the very end.” 

A family’s journey with Alzheimer’s  Read More »

Stéphane Sainte-Croix attentive to the $40 million in cuts requested by the CISSS

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gaspé Member of the National Assembly (MNA) will work to ensure that Santé Québec and the Quebec government take into account the specificities of the Gaspé in the context of the $40 million budget cuts requested from the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre. 

Stéphane Sainte-Croix reacts this way to the reflection launched by the CISSS on ways to maintain the emergency services at Grande-Vallée, Murdochville and Paspébiac CLSCs 24/7. 

The CISSS is analyzing the idea of replacing nurses with auxiliary nurses who would be linked to remote nurses to maintain the care offered at these establishments. Grande-Vallée Mayor Noël Richard indicated that when a nurse is mobilized in a facility transfer, this would be equivalent to a service interruption in his facility, which he describes as unthinkable in his community. 

He points out that the closest hospitals are more than 100 kilometres from Grande-Vallée. 

The Québec government has assured the public that the financial cuts would not result in a reduction in patient services. “The minister was clear on this. We are sensitive to the issue. Once the recommendations are known, we will take note of them and do our work to ensure that the service offer is maintained,” says Mr. Sainte-Croix. 

The MNA indicated that he wanted to give the CISSS time to carry out its exercise to recover the requested amounts. 

“We will work to maintain the service offer. If it requires us to review the effort in terms of rigour, we will be happy to support our CISSS, but let’s give management time to do its exercise and, from there, we can establish our scenario and the work that will come to maintain our service offering,” he says. 

Mr. Sainte-Croix understands the particularities of the region, especially the distance to travel to have access to care and the fact that there is no major service hub. 

“There is a question of cost behind the territory and the service offering. We dare to hope that the particularities will be recognized for the future,” mentions the MNA. 

As for the specific CLSC file, Mr. Sainte-Croix is concerned. “We will remember that this is not the first time that we have had a reflection at this level. We will let the CISSS do its exercise. For the moment, we are listening. We are aware of the issues and we are very sensitive to the issue.” 

Stéphane Sainte-Croix attentive to the $40 million in cuts requested by the CISSS Read More »

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