CLSC EMERGEnCY DEPARTMENTS: A reassuring meeting for elected officials
Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist
GRANDE-VALLÉE – The mayor of Grande-Vallée came away from a meeting with the president and CEO of the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre is somewhat relieved regarding the fate of the CLSC emergency department in his town.
Noël Richard had the opportunity to discuss the situation of the CLSC in his town with Martin Pelletier on December 11. “We met with Mr. Pelletier and asked him directly what this restructuring meant for us, in the Estran sector. We were very reassured. There is no question of a service disruption at our emergency department 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says Mayor Richard.
Even though measures were taken, the mayor was assured that the service would remain. “Our population will continue to have the services. This is very good news,” continued Mr. Richard.
A communication channel was established after the mayor learned of ongoing discussions about how services might be delivered. The emergency room in Grande-Vallée serves the population between Sainte-Anne-des-Monts and Gaspé. From Grande-Vallée, the closest hospitals are 100 kilometres away.
“At the CISSS level, they are aware of this. If different options were available, we asked to work in collaboration with them,” says the mayor.
This clarification made to elected officials follows a hypothesis launched by Mr. Pelletier following the Integrated Health and Social Services (CISSS) board of directors meeting of November 28 in the wake of the requested budgetary adjustments of $40 million to fit into the budget allocated by the Quebec government.
The CEO had clearly stated that he was not considering reviewing the 24/7 emergency services in Grande-Vallée, Paspébiac and Murdochville.
Instead, he had mentioned as a possible solution the use of nursing assistants attached to teleconsultation nurses to provide care. The mayor of Grande-Vallée had stated that if a nurse had to leave by ambulance for Gaspé, this would be equivalent to a breakdown in service.
The prefect of the MRC de la Côte-de-Gaspé also attended the meeting. “It’s good news that there are no cuts in small emergencies and services to the population,” says Daniel Côté, who is also mayor of Gaspé.
However, the Mr. Côté expressed disappointment over delayed infrastructure projects, such as the birthing room at the Maison de la famille Parenfant in Gaspé.
“If the CISSS’s share is not there, the project must be postponed. It’s really a shame to see these projects from the community being postponed. There are other infrastructure projects directly in the hospital environment that must be postponed. This is a big downside.
CLSC EMERGEnCY DEPARTMENTS: A reassuring meeting for elected officials Read More »