health

Partridge hunt raises money for Gaspé Cancer Foundation

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Penny MacWhirter, LJI

GASPÉ – On September 20, partridge hunting enthusiasts in the Gaspé area will have the chance to put their hunting skills to the test, while raising money for a good cause.

It is the third year for the Partridge Hunt. In 2023, the hunt raised $3,330 for the Gaspé Cancer Foundation, and almost doubled that amount in 2024, raising $6,476. Their goal for 2025 is $8,000.

Co-organizer Jennifer Jean-Clark says family history played a role in their inspiration to hold such an event. “Our husbands lost their dad at a young age to cancer; they also lost a brother, and two of their siblings now have cancer. My sister and I have a cousin who is fighting cancer right now. My mom had colon cancer at the age of 49 but recovered from it. I used to participate in the Relay for Life but the money didn’t stay in our community,” says Ms. Jean-Clark, who adds that she loves how this money helps people in her community.

The event is open to anyone who has a small game hunting permit. Participants can register as of September 14, right up until after the breakfast on the morning of the twentieth. The cost of participation is $20 per person.

Hunting begins at sunrise and hunters are welcome to hunt in their preferable location. Hunters and the public are invited to a breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at Melanie and Paul Clark’s camp along Clark’s Road at the end of Wakeham, five kilometres off the paved road. Jennifer’s husband, Rodney Clark, works on the road prior to the event to ensure all vehicles can make it to the camp safely and everyone can participate in the activities. For those unfamiliar with the area, there will be signs directing the way. “The cost of the breakfast is $10 per plate and includes eggs, bacon, bologna, hashbrowns, Gail Dorion’s delicious homemade beans and my brother-in-law Paul’s homemade bread,” says Ms. Jean-Clark. In addition, the Gaspé Tim Horon’s is donating the coffee for the event.

Hunters usually start straggling back to the camp with their catches at around 4 p.m. when a light meal of soup and hotdogs (which is included in the participation fee) is served. They have until 6 p.m. to register their catches.

For the second year local duo Dodo and Coco will be on hand from around 1 to 6 p.m. to entertain the crowd. “It is really a great day for family and friends to begin our beloved hunting season and a good way to give to such a good cause,” says Ms. Jean-Clark.

In the past they’ve been able to give a door prize to each registered hunter and hope to be able to do so again this year. “We are getting close to $3,000 in prizes, including the firearm and crossbow that we are selling tickets on. Prizes are given for the biggest, smallest and heaviest catch. This year the hunt is in honour of Virginia Eagle Sinnett who lost her battle with cancer this past spring. Her daughter Karen will be on hand to give out the prize for the biggest partridge,” says Ms. Jean-Clark.

“This year we have a great sponsor. Les Entreprises Morin Donovan has donated over $1,500 in prizes, including a crossbow, hunting tent, duffle bag and backpack. We also have donations from other local businesses.”

In addition to the hunting activity, to raise funds organizers are selling tickets on a crossbow and 410 shotgun. The tickets are $5 and can be purchased by contacting any of the organizers listed below, or by messaging Jennifer Jean-Clark on messenger. “The winner of the firearm must pick it up at Filet Sport Gaspesien in Gaspé, so they’ll need to have a Possession and Acquisition Licence to get it,” notes Ms. Jean-Clark.

If you would like to support this initiative but can’t attend the event, organizers are able to accept your donations. If donating by cheque, it should be made out to the Gaspé Cancer Foundation.

The organizing team consists of Jennifer Jean-Clark, Melanie Jean, Paul Clark, Rodney Clark, Taylor Clark, Dylan Clark, Émilie Rochefort, Marc-Olivier Curadeau and Kassandra Dubé. Ms. Jean-Clark notes that they try to cover as many of the expenses as possible between the three businesses their family own (PAC Pélouse Gaspé, Multi Services JRC and Dépanneur du Versant). “We want as much money as possible to go to the Gaspé Cancer Foundation,” explains Ms. Jean-Clark.

Get to know the Gaspé Cancer Foundation

GASPE – The Gaspé Cancer Foundation came about after Noreen Hackett attended a women’s symposium and learned about the LeMore-Brown Foundation location in New Carlisle, which financially helps cancer patients in the Bonaventure MRC. Noreen realized such an organization was also needed in the Gaspé area.

“We became a registered non-profit Foundation in July of 2003, yet after 22 years of working hard to promote the organization there is still a large percent of the population that are unaware of the services that we provide to our members,” says Gaspé Cancer Foundation President Tony Patterson, who hopes to spread the word about what an important resource the foundation is.

The foundation is managed by volunteers, it is 100% non-profit, and serves a clientele from Grand Vallée to Corner-of-the-Beach, including Murdochville. “We do not pay salaries, wages or remunerations. All funds raised are used solely and exclusively for the benefit of its members,” add Mr. Patterson.

The Foundation acts as a bilingual information centre, and its purpose is to provide financial assistance to those suffering from cancer who must travel outside of our region to receive treatment or consultations. “To this end, the foundation is responsible for providing financial assistance to all members who must travel to Chandler, Maria, St. Anne de Monts, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup, Québec City, Montréal or Sherbrooke,” explains Mr. Patterson, who adds, that the foundation is often confused with l ’Association du Cancer de l ’Est du Québec.

“Unfortunately, many find out about us after they have been diagnosed and have already been sent outside the area for consultation or treatments. Cards must be purchased, and membership paid 30 days in advance of becoming eligible for financial aid,” explains Mr. Patterson. In other words, it is important to buy a membership, while you are healthy, hoping to never have to use it. But if you receive a cancer diagnosis, you’ll have the reassurance of support from the Gaspé Cancer Foundation.

The Foundation operates as follows: The cost of membership is $15 per person or $25 per couple including any children under the age of 18. To receive assistance, a member must be in good standing with the Foundation for at least 30 days. All members are eligible to receive financial assistance, without discrimination. “Currently, we have over 1,400 paid memberships, with over $50,000 in assistance given to members of the 2024-2025 fiscal year,” says Mr. Patterson.

Since forming in 2003, the foundation has distributed over $650,000 in financial assistance to its members.
The Foundation’s membership year runs from March to March of the following year. “Every year at the beginning of March we have our renewal campaign and over 10,000 blue forms are distributed to every residence and business in the MRC of Gaspé,” explains Mr. Patterson.

In addition, the Gaspé Cancer Foundation raises money through the sale of annual membership cards, in memorial cards, donations, and fundraisers and can issue tax receipts for any amount over $10. “We do not receive financial assistance from any governments, local, provincial or Federal,” says Mr. Patterson.
For members, the financial assistance reference sheets are also available the organization’s website. When signed by the attending physician where the treatment is administered, the member must mail it to the P.O. Box address on the bottom of the form. Payments are made after verifying the members’ information.

The Gaspé Cancer foundation holds an annual general meeting every year, and all activities of the Foundation for the previous year and its financial position are presented to those in attendance. New Directors are also elected at this time.

Mr. Patterson has been the president of the foundation for eight years and was a director for 12 years as well. “We have a great Board of Directors with a number of directors in long standing, who have been with us since the beginning,” says Mr. Patterson. He is thankful for the community support, which helps to ensure the organization’s longevity, “We are very fortunate to have a number of private individuals, like Jennifer Jean and friends who have over the years have either volunteered for or held events to raise funds for the foundation. They are all greatly appreciated and as a non-profit foundation we could never continue to exist without their support.”

Payments for renewals, new memberships, in memorial cards and donations can be made using Paypal at: www.fcg.gcf.com, by cheque, or buy e-transfers: gaspe45@hotmail.com.

To learn more about the Gaspé Cancer Foundation visit their website or email info@fcg.gcf.com.
Mailing address: Gaspé Cancer Foundation, C.P. 6078. Gaspé, QC G4X 2R6

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Gaspé Peninsula CISSS needs $20M to balance its budget

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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.

Gaspé Peninsula CISSS needs $20M to balance its budget Read More »

Three of the four hospital laboratories in the Gaspé Peninsula are closed at night

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The situation is extreme in three of the four hospital medical laboratories operated by the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS), which are now closed at night due to a lack of personnel.

In May, the Maria hospital had to reduce service hours, prompting the implementation of an on-call service to respond to emergencies.

A similar situation occurred in June at the Gaspé hospital, while the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital has been operating this way for a decade.

The lack of appeal of the profession since the implementation of the reform by former Liberal Health Minister Gaétan Barrette in 2016 and the creation of Optilab, which established a server laboratory in Rimouski, is the source of the problem, according to the Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (Alliance of Professional and Technical Health and Social Services Personnel).

Data shared by the union shows there are approximately 35 medical technologists in the Gaspé Peninsula, whereas 75 would be needed to provide full laboratory services across the region’s four hospitals.

In Gaspé, the situation was criticized four years ago when only six of the 14 technologists remained in place.

“Four years later, we’re back to square one. We’re left with a minimum number of people at work due to numerous sick leaves, which is forcing the employer to transform the service with on-call duty,” said Alliance of Professional and Technical Health and Social Services Personnel (APTS) regional spokesperson Jenny Tardif.

“People are at home and already working during the day. We have to continue to provide service in the evening and at night. They are at home at night with a cell phone and are called when the doctor requires them for an emergency,” says Ms. Tardif.

The service is running at a slower pace because non-urgent cases are only being handled during the day.

The union representative recalls the protests that took place in 2016, particularly in front of the Gaspé hospital, to denounce the Barrette reform, and the region’s elected officials followed suit.
“When they announced that we were going to lose 70% of the positions in the Gaspé Peninsula, it hurt the profession extremely badly. When you make health care reforms, you feel the consequences several years later. Today, in 2025, we are in the midst of the aftermath of this reform,” comments the union spokesperson.

Ms. Tardif points out that the current situation is not a question of budget.

For example, the medical technologist training program at Cégep de Rimouski has produced only five to ten graduates.

“We destroyed the profession with the 2016 reform. The solutions are not simple,” she says. Even if recruits were found, the issue of housing would still need to be addressed. “We’re practically asking for a miracle. We absolutely must generate interest in the profession. But that’s a very long-term project. We have lost 40 to 50% of our workforce in recent years in the Gaspé Peninsula. It’s difficult to recover,” says Ms. Tardif.

The situation described by the APTS also concerns the Union of Nurses, Nursing Assistants and Respiratory Therapists of Eastern Quebec, which also denounces this situation.
The Lower Saint Lawrence CISSS has provided mobile testing equipment in emergency rooms so that nurses can run tests when laboratories are closed.

“It makes no sense for the members we represent because they don’t have the training. It’s not part of their delegated duties. These machines take time to analyze and often produce error codes. All the time spent doing these tests is time that isn’t being spent triaging patients in the emergency room or caring for critical patients,” says president Pier-Luc Bujold.

He is calling for the funds allocated to laboratories to be transferred to hire additional staff, such as laboratory technicians.

“There will be less impact on the population and the nurses and nursing assistants we represent. If it’s not a budget issue, transfer the money and add staff,” demands the union leader, who points out that centralizing laboratories was nonsense.

He is taking advantage of the situation to once again denounce the $20 million in cuts that the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS must make in order to stay within the budget allocated by Santé Québec.

“We are always asking staff to do more with less. The case of laboratory technologists is just one among many. Every time we cut a profession, it’s always the nurses who bear the brunt. Are we cutting back on housekeeping services? We’ll ask a nurse to empty the trash. Cut an administrative assistant? We’ll ask the nurse to make calls and file papers. Close the pharmacy at 4 p.m.? We’ll ask the nurse to fetch the medications. It seems like nurses are just fill-ins,” explains Mr. Bujold.

Three of the four hospital laboratories in the Gaspé Peninsula are closed at night Read More »

Rabies confirmed in a bat in Godmanchester

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

A case of bat rabies has been confirmed in Godmanchester.

A client called the Ormstown Veterinary Hospital (OVH) to report having found a sick bat on their property in Godmanchester during the first week of June. Concerned their cat may have been in contact with the bat, the owners brought their pet to the OVH for a rabies vaccination booster. After the veterinary hospital communicated with the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ), the bat, which had since died, was safely collected and sent to a laboratory in Ottawa for testing.

Dr Judith Léger and animal health technician Bianca Gregory handled the case. They confirmed that a positive result for rabies was returned from the laboratory within a day. Both report it has been a long time since they have seen a case of rabies in the area.

There have been 28 cases identified this year in the Montérégie and Estrie regions in the racoon population, but none so far in the Haut-Saint-Laurent area. “It is well known that with racoons and other wildlife, rabies comes in waves. There are little epidemics,” said Léger, noting these tend to occur in seven- or eight-year cycles. “But bats are always considered carriers of rabies, even when there isn’t a wave,” she explained.

According to the MAPAQ, bats are classified separately from other animals who may be susceptible to rabies. Bat rabies is the most common variant in Quebec and is present in all regions and in all bat species. “They are automatically considered rabid,” said Gregory, noting how important it is that the population take precautions when it comes to bats.

Gregory explained that in the event someone comes across a weak, sick, or dead bat, the first step is to contact the MAPAQ for detailed instructions. “You can’t bring a dead wild animal to the vet,” she said, noting the government agency may suggest that a veterinarian become involved if a pet has been in contact with a wild animal.

With rabies on the rise in neighbouring regions, Gregory said vaccination is becoming even more important. In the current case, the cat’s vaccinations were up to date, and all that was required was a booster.

The protocol for an unvaccinated animal that is potentially exposed to rabies is quite different as a series of vaccinations are required. “This means a much higher cost for the client and a much higher potential for rabies infection,” she explained, noting an unvaccinated pet exposed to rabies must also be kept in quarantine with no human contact for at least 45 days.

The OVH recommends that people avoid handling wild animals, especially racoons, bats, skunks, and foxes. Contact a veterinarian immediately if a pet has been in contact with a wild animal and watch for symptoms of rabies such as sudden behavior changes, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, paralysis or staggering, and aggression or unusual tameness in wild animals.

Any suspected sightings or contact with a wild animal that may have rabies should be reported to the MAPAQ by calling 1-877-346-6763.

Rabies confirmed in a bat in Godmanchester Read More »

Former DPJ director rejected by administrative labour tribunal 

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Diane Perron, the former director of Youth Protection for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands, has failed in her bid to have an occupational injury claim from October 2017 recognized by the Administrative Labour Tribunal against the Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) and its former deputy president and Chief executive officer Connie Jacques. 

A 15-page decision filed by Administrative Judge Sophie Moulin in December rejected Ms. Perron’s application, citing the employer’s right of management. 

Initially, the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) had accepted the claim and declared that Ms. Perron had suffered a work-related accident. In administrative review, the Commission upheld its decision, which the CISSS challenged before the court. 

The CISSS argued that the alleged circumstances could not be described as an unforeseen and sudden event within the meaning of Section 2 of the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases. 

Diane Perron’s representative argued that her client had suffered a work accident under this section. 

Diane Perron became director of youth protection when the CISSS was created in 2015. Following certain events, the former director of Youth Protection filed a complaint of psychological harassment in December 2017 as well as a complaint for prohibited practices since she considered herself the victim of reprisals due to illness and, on the other hand, she filed a claim for an occupational injury. 

A court decision dismissed the complaint of psychological harassment, noted her withdrawal concerning the complaint for prohibited practices and declared that she had not suffered an occupational injury. However, Ms. Perron is requesting a review of the conclusion applicable to the claim for the employment injury. 

In a subsequent review, the tribunal concluded that there was a lack of motivation regarding the employment injury, revoked the decision and returned the file to the Tribunal, hence the present dispute and the holding of a new hearing. 

The tribunal therefore had to determine whether Ms. Perron suffered an employment injury from a work accident in October 2017. 

The employer’s representative maintains that the Deputy President and CEO, Connie Jacques, is exercising her legitimate management rights and that the situations described are not unexpected and sudden events within the meaning of the Act. 

Ms. Perron’s representative maintains that the accumulation of events and incidents that have occurred since the end of fall 2016 can be considered an unexpected and sudden event within the meaning of the Act and that the diagnosed injury, namely an adjustment disorder with mixed mood, is related to them. 

The alleged events are mainly the receipt of emails from Connie Jacques, the exclusion of the worker from the clinical coordination committee meetings and the meeting of October 16, 2017. 

In the fall of 2016, several emails were exchanged between Ms. Perron and Ms. Jacques. However, the tone, words and style of Ms. Jacques’ messages led Ms. Perron to file a complaint for psychological harassment according to the employer’s internal policy. 

A mediation process was held in March 2017, during which Connie Jacques acknowledged the facts and apologized to the worker. Afterward, Ms. Perron confirmed that after the mediation the writings were clearer. “Things were going well,” she stated. 

However, while the emails themselves were not deemed an unforeseen and sudden event by the court, they were considered potential triggers for interpersonal conflicts and the psychological stress that followed. 

Moreover, in her complaint of psychological harassment on December 5, 2017, Ms. Perron states that her superior’s behaviour “Occurred subsequently, insidiously until the suspension last October.” 

Although the former director of Youth Protection alleges several other events related to psychological harassment, the court notes that her representative describes three other situations that may be a combination of events and be considered an unforeseen and sudden event, namely the exclusion of the worker from a committee, the performance evaluation of August 2017 and the meeting with a view to an administrative suspension on October 16, 2017. 

With regard to the right of management, the court must assess whether the employer exercises its powers in a rational and reasonable manner, in good faith and without abusing them. 

In the decision, the judge writes that the employer’s right of management includes great discretion in the direction and control of activities. “He can exercise his right of management firmly and even make mistakes,” wrote the judge. 

On all the events mentioned, the court considers that Connie Jacques may have been authoritarian and clumsy in certain interventions, but recalls that the right of management can be exercised firmly and that it includes the right to make mistakes as long as it is not abusive or unreasonable. 

Thus, in the absence of an unforeseen and sudden event, the court concludes that Ms. Perron did not suffer an occupational injury in October 2017. 

The Gaspé Peninsula CISSS declined a request for a response. 

For her part, Diane Perron, now retired, considers that an employer’s right to management is unquestionably legitimate, but it is not without limits and must be carried out rigorously and in compliance with the policies and procedures in force. 

She recalls that in 2018, following a CNESST investigation into psychological harassment, confirmed psychological harassment in the situation on the part of her superior, Connie Jacques. 

“That at the end of the TAT (Tribunal administratif du travail, which deals with labour issues) process, whether it is judged otherwise, it is the prerogative of the TAT and we can only respect that,” mentions Ms. Perron, who notes in passing that the process lasted six years, from 2018 to 2024. 

She considers that a lot of insights emerged from it that exposed rather inconsistent and dubious details on certain hierarchical management practices. 

“We will recall the investigation report of the Auditor General of Quebec, in 2022, which lifted the veil on several major shortcomings in the management practices of the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS concerning managers as well as the deficient compliance with several of its regulations,” she notes. Ms. Perron says she has been approached a few times about other stories of workplace harassment similar to hers, even by people she did not know. 

She claims to have seen people who were “Totally at the end of their rope,” physically and psychologically, in distress, openly threatened with reprisals or already experiencing them, who said they were forced to sign confidentiality agreements regarding various issues of management abuse to avoid reprisals. 

The former Member of the National Assembly for Bonaventure, Sylvain Roy, has also received similar comments to those mentioned by Ms. Perron while he was a member of the National Assembly.

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Keep vaccines up to date as flu season looms, Boileau warns

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Keep vaccines up to date as flu season looms, Boileau warns

Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

Quebec public health director Dr. Luc Boileau struck a relatively optimistic note as he delivered a planned update on the progression of common respiratory viruses in Quebec on Jan. 24. “We’ve seen worse in the last few years.”

He presented Santé Québec data showing that test positivity rates for COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) had dipped below 10 per cent for the first time in several weeks. COVID positivity rates, he noted, were at their lowest since early summer. “Things are going in the right direction; there are new variants that have gotten in place, but they are no more threatening than the ones we have seen in the past, and vaccination remains effective.”

Boileau said hospital admissions for RSV, which is most dangerous for elderly and immunocompromised people and newborns, have fallen since the province provided more than 40,000 newborns with an immunotherapy treatment. Seasonal flu positivity rates, however, were on the rise, and that trend was expected to continue. Boileau said health officials expected to see flu circulation peak in early February before tapering off gradually. “Flu is a serious disease, which sends 300 to 400 [Quebecers] to intensive care every year and even causes some deaths; it has an effective means of prevention, which is vaccination.” He said that although efficiency data on this year’s vaccine was not available, he expected it to be as efficient as in previous years.

He noted that certain stomach viruses – noroviruses and rotaviruses, which cause the dreaded gastro – appear to be circulating more than usual. He encouraged people to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms, particularly if they have a fever, and to wear a mask and avoid contact with vulnerable people if they must leave the house, and wash their hands regularly with soap, especially if they have or have recently had gastro.

Measles outbreak confined to Laurentians, Laval

Boileau said there were 13 cases of measles in the province as of Jan. 26, including two new cases in the past week, all linked to an outbreak in the Lauren- tians in early January. Although health officials were still waiting to see if new cases would arise, he said the outbreak appeared not to have spread further than greater Montreal.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can be especially dangerous for pregnant women and young children. According to Health Canada, Canadians born before 1970 are presumed protected against measles due to prior exposure, and most Canadians born after 1970 were vaccinated against measles in early childhood. Vaccine efficiency is close to 99 per cent. If you were not vaccinated against measles as a child, you can register to receive the vaccine for free on ClicSanté, Boileau said. If you don’t know your vaccination status, he said, it is safe to receive the shot twice.

Keep vaccines up to date as flu season looms, Boileau warns Read More »

Multi-party campaign calls for wider access to prenatal care

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Multi-party campaign calls for wider access to prenatal care

Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

In 2021, after years of pressure from immigrant and refugee advocacy groups, the Coalition Avenir Québec government passed a law allowing children born in Quebec to access public health care through the Régie d’assurance-maladie du Québec (RAMQ) regardless of their parents’ immigration status or RAMQ eligibility. However, that coverage only kicks in once they’re outside the womb.

On Dec. 4, Québec Solidaire (QS), the Quebec Liberal Party and several advocacy groups launched a renewed push to expand RAMQ eligibility to cover prenatal, labour and delivery care for all pregnant women, regardless of immigration status. As it stands, a woman who gives birth in a Quebec hospital and doesn’t have a health card or private insurance must pay thousands of dollars of hospital bills out of pocket – up to $100,000 or more if there are complica- tions, according to Médecins du Monde (MDM) Canada.

“If we want to protect our children, we have to protect their mothers, throughout their pregnancies and through- out the prenatal period,” QS immigration critic Guillaume Cliche-Rivard told reporters after tabling a bill that would expand coverage. “It’s a ques- tion of human dignity, equal opportunity, public health and prevention. A child, from the moment of birth, will be covered by the RAMQ, but during pregnancy, neither the child nor the mother is covered. We need to correct this incoherence which has a major impact on the lives of women and on society as a whole.” Cliche-Rivard and MDM national director Pénélope Boudreault, whose organization has long advocated for expanding RAMQ eligibility, argued that covering prenatal care would save the province money, because complications would be detected and addressed earlier. Boudreault said some new mothers at risk leave hospital earlier than they should to save money.

Not all Quebec residents without health coverage are undocumented – homeless people, people waiting for an immigration decision and some work and study permit holders are among those who may not have valid health cards. “More than half the women who come to see us for prenatal care work in health, social services and education and have work permits,” said Fernanda Gonzalez, a formerly undocumented mother who is now a peer support worker at the SPOT community health clinic in Saint-Roch. “We’re not tourists – we’re workers, students, spouses, mothers … and participants in Quebec society.”

“I had a lot of difficulties during my pregnancy because I didn’t have access to health care and because the immigration system is very complicated,” she said. “The financial burden and the stress that we have when we come out of hospital with a bill of thousands of dollars is unjust and it impacts our own health.”

Quebec City resident Andréa Mataragba-Nguiasset is a work permit holder who gave birth in August. She said she had a single prenatal care appoint- ment during her pregnancy – doctors generally recommend one per month during the first five months of pregnancy and more frequent appointments thereafter – and had to work until the day before giving birth because she was unable to see a doctor to be signed off work. “The government needs to realize that it is recruiting human beings abroad, and not just ‘labour’ – what I experienced is inhumane,” she said.

A petition launched by MDM with nearly 3,200 signatures was tabled in the National Assembly the same day by Liberal immigration critic André Fortin.

“Médecins du Monde welcomes the tabling of the petition and the bill, which reinforce the social and medical consensus of a hundred organizations and institutions in Quebec. Refusing pregnant women access to perinatal care because of their migratory status endangers their health and that of their children. We need concrete and immediate solutions for the health of all women in Quebec, without exclusion,” concluded Boudreault.

MNAs agreed to consider Cliche-Rivard’s bill. During Question Period, Health Minister Christian Dubé told MNAs he planned to establish a working group to “look at what was possible” in terms of expanding RAMQ access.

Multi-party campaign calls for wider access to prenatal care Read More »

Gaspé Peninsula CISSS must find $40.7M before March 31

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

Integrated Health and Social Services Centres (CISSS) must find a way to recover a $40.7 million cost overrun in a budgetary effort requested by the Quebec government on a budget of $535 million. 

This represents 8% of its $535 million budget and must be achieved by March 31 which will be a major challenge, a goal that the Union of Nurses, Auxiliary Nurses and Respiratory Therapists of Eastern Quebec calls unrealistic. 

“That’s the target. As a manager and government employee, that’s the target. I have to implement the mechanisms to achieve it. Afterwards, I will be judged on the achievement of results. This is a big chunk to take on for the few months I’m given. The message is very clear: the budget must stop swelling. The idea is to respect the budgets we’re going to be given,” explains President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martin Pelletier. 

The requested amount represents approximately 1.5 months of CISSS’ operating costs. 

In a situation where the costs of supplies, medications and the application of the latest collective agreements have a direct impact on the budget, the order looks set to be even more difficult for the future. 

“These are elements that add pressure to the system. Normally, these costs related to inflation are subsidized. This year, as such, it’s not. Not up to the cost increases. From there, it’s a pressure that follows us,” mentions Mr. Pelletier. 

Four main areas have been identified to achieve the objective: rigour and management rights over staff in order to recover everything that could be done and over supplies; a freeze to increase or develop services; optimizing operations and reviewing the service offering to see if it is adapted to needs. 

Considering the Gaspé Peninsula has one of the oldest populations in Quebec and given the distances to travel to receive care, the CISSS plans to highlight these unique challenges to the Quebec government. 

“Certainly, this must be taken into account. We have small teams in large territories that we must keep in place to ensure continuity of services. These are assets that we want to keep. On this, there are no major compromises. This is well understood by Santé-Québec. We will see if there are adjustments that will be granted,” hopes the President and CEO. 

Despite this budgetary reshuffle, Mr. Pelletier affirms that care for the population will not be affected. 

“There will be things that will be transformed. We look first at where we have room in the activities we do that do not affect services. When we get there, it will be a review that will take into account the needs of the population. A review that is necessary given the province’s ability to pay,” says Mr. Pelletier. 

The use of independent labour accounts for $25 to $30 million of the $40.7 million to be recovered. “This must be taken into account. It is not a simple formula to say that we stop using independent labour. The consequences are harmful. We use it because we have needs to fill teams, to maintain services. The withdrawal of independent labour would mean that we would have to close services,” he says. The CISSS must free itself from independent labour on October 18, 2026. 

“Our budget balance plan was initially over three years because it gave us time to recruit and transform things to be able to eliminate it as much as possible,” says Mr. Pelletier. 

In terms of infrastructure, projects to modernize care units are suspended for the moment. 

“We see ourselves having to endure obsolescence for longer in certain sectors. I’m thinking of the Youth Centre in Gaspé that was in the pipeline. It’s unfortunate to see that it will be on hold longer than expected. For the next year and a half, there will be a slowdown in this area,” he says. 

The union believes that it is unrealistic to compress the budget so quickly, citing as an example what will happen during the holiday season. 

“We are on the eve of a difficult period. The holiday season creates a lot of difficulties with replacements, a colossal force to keep services open 24/7. There is a lot of overtime and mandatory overtime. It is a period that costs a lot of money to provide service to the population. It is completely disconnected that Santé-Québec gives the CISSS and CIUSSS a goal of recovering significant amounts in three and a half months,” notes the union president, Pier-Luc Bujold. 

Senior management met with the union to inform it that no compensation reduction will affect staff directly, However, the union fears that management will apply new provisions of the new collective agreement to achieve financial goals. 

The coming years will not be rosy as Quebec must review its expenses following an $11 billion deficit. 

“The Santé-Québec megastructure will not be a measure to really save costs,” says Mr. Bujold, who invites the CISSS to review the use of independent labour. 

“There is still unjustified use (of independent labour) on our territory. For several months, we have been asking the CISSS de la Gaspésie to save money without affecting the members we represent,” says the union representative. 

Gaspé Peninsula CISSS must find $40.7M before March 31 Read More »

Part 2: Living with Diabetes

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Penny MacWhirter, LJI Journalist

HOPE TOWN – On March 4, 2021, when Emma Burton was only 8 years old she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes leaving the family in shock. Emma’s mother, Pamela Ross says that although she was in shock she was relieved to finally have answers. Prior to her diagnosis Emma was quite sick and had lost a significant amount of weight. 

Like many people with diabetes, the treatment Emma has received has evolved since being diagnosed. “I started out having to eat a specific number of carbs (60) at each meal. Then moved to ratios (that were different depending on the time of day). The first year I was MDI (multiple daily injections). After that I was transferred to a diabetic clinic and was able to get my insulin pump. From about month 2, I was able to have a Dexcom (so that I didn’t have to test my finger as much),” explains Emma. 

Emma tells SPEC that the first year after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes was rough and adapting to the pump took time. “My specialist doctor is amazing,” adds Emma. 

As far as side effects and limitations Emma says that when her numbers are low, she has to sometimes not participate in activities with friends. She also can’t have the same foods and treats as her friends. I always have to think and calculate before having a snack or meal. “I always have to verify my sugar before starting any activity, even as simple as going for a walk,” says Emma. In addiEmma says that although she has diabetes she doesn’t find she’s treated any differently at school or by friends. 

When her levels are too high she feels thirsty, hungry and might have mood swings. Emma does a correction “By doing a correction with Insulin, drinking more water, taking a shower, or exercising (if it isn’t too high – as that can make it go higher). 

If her levels are too low, she might feel shaky, weak, experience changes in body temperature, headaches and “I think everything is funny,” explains Emma. She treats low blood sugar by “Taking candy (3.5g of carbs) and sitting down to give my sugar time to come back up. If it is not back up in 15 minutes, I take another candy… I continue until my sugar is back up in the safe zone. 

Although Emma is quite young she is able to do a pretty good job at keeping an eye on her numbers and doing what is necessary, with the help of her parents. “I am able to manage most tasks on my own but prefer to have help. My parents want me to be able to be a kid and not have to think about it 24/7,” states Emma. 

Pamela says it was important to the family to teaching Emma that she can live and thrive with an autoimmune disease and that she can still lead a normal life. It was important down to give my sugar time to come back up. If it is not back up in 15 minutes, I take another candy… I continue until my sugar is back up in the safe zone. 

Although Emma is quite young she is able to do a pretty good job at keeping an eye on her numbers and doing what is necessary, with the help of her parents. “I am able to manage most tasks on my own but prefer to have help. My parents want me to be able to be a kid and not have to think about it 24/7,” states Emma. 

Pamela says it was important to the family to teaching Emma that she can live and thrive with an autoimmune disease and that she can still lead a normal life. It was important to Emma’s parents to teach her how to manage and calculate her meals and snacks. 

In fact the family has done such a great job at managing the condition they were able to get her pump fast tracked. “By showing them we knew what we were doing. When she had her first appointment with the specialist, they said it would be a year before we would be able to get an insulin pump for her. When we went to her second appointment only a few short weeks later we were able to fill out the paperwork and start the pump application process,” says Pamela. 

Emma also tells us that she has gotten much faster at carb counting and can estimate a meal, as well as being able to calculate the correct amount of insulin if she’s not on her regular schedule, such as if she’s slept in. 

Pamela, says the biggest challenge of being the parent to a child with Type 1 diabetes is “Being alert 24/7 and always having to be ready to jump when her Dexcom or Pump alarms. Always watching her numbers so that we can text her when she isn’t with us to do a correction or have something to eat if she is dropping to fast.” She also says that there aren’t many places Emma can go without a parent going as well. “Most people don’t know what to do and are nervous that something may happen, even though at this point she can mostly take care of herself with us via text messaging,”adds Pamela. 

As far as complications go, while Pamela is aware of the possibilities she says the family focuses on the present. “All we can do is focus on today and try our best to keep our numbers in check. Complications come from uncontrolled blood sugars over a long period of time. We just need to focus on keeping our numbers good to reduce or chances of complications in the future,” explains Pamela. 

Pamela is a member of a support group on Facebook: Parents of Type 1 Diabetics – Canada. Pamela would like to have more local support and has reached out to several local organizations with little success. “I have messaged a local organization a few times about maybe starting a group for diabetics, however, even though I have messaged a few different people since her diagnosis the most I have heard back is that they would speak to someone else and get back to me, unfortunately nobody has ever gotten back to me,” states Pamela 

Emma’s advice to anyone who is newly diagnosed is to “Be patient, it will get easier as time goes on.” While her mother’s advice is “It gets better and easier to manage as time goes on. Take it day by day and don’t stress about what happened yesterday or what could happen tomorrow. Reach out to those around you for help. Join a group.” 

Pamela adds that eating in moderation is key. They use MyFitnessPal app to enter receipts “It will tell you the carb count if you enter the number of servings the recipe is for. We also use CalorieKing for when eating out,” explains Pamela. 

Pamela tells us that stress does have a major influence on sugar levels, but it is difficult to manage. “It can cause your sugar levels to increase or decrease depending on the person. You need to be careful when correcting sugar levels that care caused by stress. As when the stress goes away so does its impact on your levels. A good example of this is when my daughter has a big test or exam in school,” explains Pamela. 

Pamela would like the general public to know “Insulin is not always the answer like they seem to portray on TV. Type 1 can NOT, be prevented and is NOT caused by what the person ate or is eating. If a person is high, they need more insulin. If a person is low, they need sugar. If a person has passed out due to low blood sure they should be given glucagon. Emma carries a baqsimi nasal powder in her kit.” 

On a final note Pamela shares this thought: “They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. However, with diabetes doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same results is known as insanity. You can eat the exact same thing every day and have completely different results, because so many other factors can impact one’s sugar levels (food, stress, outside temperatures, etc.).” 

Part 2: Living with Diabetes Read More »

Living with diabetes

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Penny MacWhirter, LJI Journalist

HOPE TOWN – November is diabetes awareness month in Canada and Diabetes Canada is asking Canadians to “Commit to making time to understand and support those who live with this condition every single day.” 

Diabetes Canada is also making suggestions of ways Canadians can make a difference. It is encouraging those who either have diabetes or care for someone who does, to go on social and “Spill the Diabetea.” You can do this by uploading a video of your experience with diabetes and use the #spillthediabetea and #DiabetesAwarenessMonth hashtags during the month of November. 

Did you know that every three minutes, someone in Canada is diagnosed with diabetes and that people living with diabetes are two to three times more likely to live with depression? 

There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. During the month of November, The Gaspé Spec will have several articles relating to diabetes, along with interviews with individuals living with diabetes. 

The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes 

Type 1 diabetes happens when the immune system destroys your pancreas’ beta cells. This causes them to stop producing insulin. According to Health Canada Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or early adulthood, and there is no known way to prevent it. Known risk factors include genetic predisposition and certain environmental factors. About 5 to 10% of people living with diabetes have Type 1. 


Type 2 diabetes happens when the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t respond well to the insulin it makes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. About 90 to 95% of people living with diabetes have type 2. People usually receive a diagnosis after the age of 40, but it’s now becoming more common in younger people too. 

Amanda’s Story

Living with diabetes can be quite time-consuming, as individuals are faced with managing a complex and often invisible condition. 

Amanada Kennedy, from Hope Town is a Type 1 diabetic. She was diagnosed in 2008, initially with Type 2 diabetes’s but after proper testing it was revealed that she is actually a Type 1 diabetic. “Initially I was shocked with the diagnosis as I had blood work done a month previous and there were never any symptoms or reason to think I was diabetic,” says Amanda. She adds that her family was rather surprised as well. “They are very supportive and helpful when needed,” says Amanda. 

When Amanda was first diagnosed with diabetes she started on a pill form of treatment until she became pregnant, then doctors switched her to insulin for the duration of her pregnancy. “Once I gave birth, they took me off insulin and gave me half a pill a day. My glucose levels went haywire and my weight plummeted to 98 lbs, as a heavyset person, I was greatly concerned and asked the doctors if maybe I should be put back on insulin. The doctors tried different pill form doses but after pleading with the doctor for several months about six months late,r I was returned to insulin as a form of treatment. With trial and error and different doses we were finally able to get the proper dose that my system was happy with,” explains Amanda. 

At the beginning of her diagnosis she found it very frustrating only seeing a family doctor whom had basic knowledge about the disease. “She worked out of the book that sadly sometimes was not in my benefit. Once I started seeing an endocrinologist in Rimouski who specializes in the diabetic field I was more at ease,” says Amanda. 

As far as limitations to her lifestyle she says that generally she doesn’t experience many. However, she explains, “If I happen to have a low glucose drop my whole day is finished. It plays havoc on your system and I just feel defeated and played out for the rest of the day.” 

Amanda finds stress, illnesses, even a cold or minor infection can affect her glucose levels. So, she tries to stay healthy and well in order to keep her glucose within range. 

As for how often she needs to check her glucose levels, Amanda explains “I use the Dexcom glucose monitoring system, which is a sensor that’s inserted under the skin, and a transmitter. The sensor tracks glucose levels every five minutes and sends the readings to my phone. The system translates the readings into data to help users manage their diabetes.” A typical reading for her is between 5 and 9, anything lower or higher than a 12 and she feels quite unwell. 

As for symptoms, when her levels are high she becomes quite thirsty, experiences brain fog, is irritable and tired. To treat high blood sugar, she finds things like drinking lots of water and exercise helps. She says that finding time to exercise daily isn’t easy, but that’s something she’s working on, especially walking more. She also says that when she’s having a rough day, she tries to tell herself to “Breath and get through it!” 

Amanda says diabetes has affected her entire life. “It has become a whole new daily life, when first diagnosed picking my finger eight times a day was draining mentally as I was thinking is it always going to be this way? As time passed, it has gotten easier the Dexcom has become very beneficial for me.” 

“Personally for me, the hardest part of being a diabetic is the unexplainable lows, sometimes in the middle of the night or randoms times during the day when I have not done anything to explain a low and it just comes on with no justification,” says Amanda. 

Amanda is trying to incorporate meals with less carbs and more protein, but adds that when you’re cooking for a family, it takes extra effort to make such meals. 

When travelling, she explains, “It is important to stop frequently to walk and stretch your legs to keep the blood flow running. I also make sure to have extra medications, supplies and items to help me in the event I should have a low or high.” 

She is aware that if not properly maintained there are many complications that can arise. “You can get diabetes in your eyes, nerve damage, heart attack and stroke, kidney problems. It is very important to try to maintain your levels as best as possible,” states Amanda. She adds that she goes for an annual eye exam to in order to catch such side effects early. 

As for support, “Living in a rural community I have not found many support groups,” she’s part of several facebook support groups that have helped her immensely. 

She would like non-diabetics to know, “Losing weight will not magically make your diabetes go away. In addition, sugar does not make you a diabetic, the lack of insulin being released from your pancreas does. I hear so many people say to others stop eating that sugar you will become diabetic. Nobody diabetic or not should consume an over abundance of sugar. Everything in moderation.” 

Amanda would like anyone who is newly diagnosed to know “You are going to be ok. It may seem like an inconvenience at the beginning. You may think ‘oh my how will I ever pick my finger or inject insulin daily? Maybe it will just go away.’ For a Type 2 diabetic, yes it may go away with the right diet and exercise and lifestyle changes, but for a Type 1, it will not just go away. You are a warrior and you can get through it just as I did and continue to do!” 

“It will be tough, you will have trials and errors on what works for you. What may spike my glucose may necessarily not spike yours. Each person is different and although it is a big adjustment for you and your family, with the right mindset and support you will and can lead a long healthy life,” adds Amanda. 

In closing Amanda leaves a powerful message, “Do not judge someone by the way they look. Just because a person is overweight or having a dessert, it does not mean that is what caused their diabetes. I was once 98 pounds and my diabetes was at its worse ever! We are all here for a short time. Embace each other and be kind to everyone, even diabetics, they have to deal with enough finger pricks daily.” 

Living with diabetes Read More »

Tens of thousands of Quebecers walk in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Tens of thousands of Quebecers walk in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Large crowds of energetic, cheerful people assembled at the Fontaine de Tourny early on Oct. 19. They were there for the 10th annual Grande Marche of the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. Starting at 11 a.m., they walked five kilo- metres to and from Gilmour Hill. The sun was out to encourage the thousands of participants who leisurely walked or jogged on the Plains of Abraham and down Grande Allée.

By Friday midday, nearly 100,000 people across the province had registered for this walk. Event founder Pierre Lavoie expected over 120,000 registered participants with countless other unregistered walkers. He said he believed that over the past decade, more than one million people have joined him in the annual walks.

Supported by family doctors, Pierre Lavoie encourages Quebecers to participate in the annual Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie.

On Oct. 19, thousands of people walked five kilometres from the Fontaine de Tourny, across the Plains of Abraham to Gilmour Hill and back under a cloudless blue sky.

It was a beautiful day for a walk. Over the weekend, people across the province participated in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. In Quebec City, the walk is a loop from the Fontaine de Tourny through the Plains of Abraham to Gilmour Hill and back.

“Throughout our lives, no matter our physical health and our age, there are only two sports that we can always do: swimming and walking. All the other sports, we will be forced to stop at one point or another,” Lavoie said on a stage overlooking the crowded Fontaine de Tourny and Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale. “We each have a responsibility to maintain our physical and mental health. Walking can do wonders for both, and it is free and fun! People greatly appreciate what we are doing. They want to live longer, healthier lives.”

Thousands of family doctors joined the movement in their respective cities, showing by example the importance of integrating physical activity into their busy lives.

Respecting a longstanding tradition, the Grande Marche officially started on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Lavoie’s hometown of Saguenay, fol- lowed by a second walk in the provincial capital on Oct. 19 and a third one on Oct. 20 in Montreal. Numerous other cities, towns and villages across the province held their own Grande Marche at different times.

For more information about the Grand Défi, visit, onmarche.com.

Tens of thousands of Quebecers walk in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie Read More »

Midwifery service celebrates fifth anniversary

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Accès Sage-femmes Baie-des-Chaleurs highlights the progress made in developing the midwifery service, which was established five years ago. 

“There was a citizen mobilization 10 years before the service took shape. A first midwife was hired to develop the service, which was set up in 2019 to provide pregnancy follow-ups,” recalls the organization’s spokesperson, Caroline Hamelin. 

The service has caught-on, with around thirty follow-ups each year, representing approximately 10% of births in the Bay of Chaleur area, quite high compared to the Quebec average of 4%. “The service is very popular. The objective in Quebec was 10% while it is at 4%,” notes Ms. Hamelin. 

“People are very satisfied with the service. Sometimes, there is a waiting list because the demand is high,” illustrates the spokesperson. 

According to the organization, a stabilization phase is necessary to maintain the service.“There’s a certain amount of turnover due to hiring conditions, which is also the case across Quebec, and there’s also the distance from major centres. There’s also a minimum number of midwives needed to avoid a break in service so that people can choose where they want to give birth. Two midwives are required to have a home birth. On-call midwives are needed for that,” says Ms. Hamelin. 

There’s a strong possibility of offering a place to give birth outside of a hospital centre, but the volume of births in the Gaspésie does not allow the creation of a Birthing Centre. “It’s the number one choice for families where it’s available as a place to give birth. In the Gaspésie, 70% of families say it would be their first choice if there was a place outside of a hospital,” says the spokesperson. 

Accès Sage-femmes is monitoring the development of a birthing room in Gaspé with interest. “There are different regions that are working on developing a birthing room outside of a hospital. It has to be a model that takes into account the regional reality. We’re looking at what’s happening elsewhere to try to find a model that could work in our situation,” says Ms. Hamelin. 

Currently, the service has two midwives and a midwife who coordinates the service. At one point, there were four midwives in the Bay of Chaleur area. “The goal is to have enough midwives to be able to offer the service (to everyone who wants it),” concludes the spokesperson. 

Midwifery service celebrates fifth anniversary Read More »

COVID-19: CISSS handles protocols on case-by-case basis

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Gaspé Peninsula Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) is adjusting its COVID-19 interventions according to the situation at each of its facilities. 

This is what the regional health network is reporting as cases persist at the Maria hospital and the CHSLD Mgr Ross in Gaspé, at a time when some people are calling for the widespread introduction of masks in health facilities. 

“The reintroduction of masks is being carried out in relation to the epidemiological situation in a territory. We are making this decision to protect the population, clients and residents. We base this decision on indicators related to community circulation,” explains the CISSS’s director of nursing, Maxime Bernatchez. 

Among other indicators are hospitalizations and the increase in cases in residences. 

“If we do it in a given environment and we don’t do it in another, it’s because we are a large institution and in the Gaspé territory currently, there are areas where there are no outbreaks and community circulation is lower,” notes Mr. Bernatchez. 

This is particularly the case in the Rocher-Percé MRC where the virus is not prevalent. 

The surgery department at Maria hospital and the CHSLD Mgr Ross have outbreaks, as well as in some seniors’ residences. 

As of September 25, there were six infections in Maria, and three units were affected at Mgr Ross. 

“At Mgr Ross, we are talking about a large majority of residents affected in Unit 300 and the prosthetic unit,” emphasizes the director. 

An outbreak in a seniors’ residence is managed differently than in a hospital centre. 

“We are in a living environment. We avoid isolating residents in their rooms. It is our health care workers who wear personal protective equipment,” explains Mr. Bernatchez. 

The infection prevention and control team provides recommendations based on the epidemiological situation in each facility. 

The Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands region experienced a spike in COVID-19 related hospitalizations during the week of September 15. 

According to the National Institute of Public Health (INSPQ), twenty-one people were hospitalized on September 21, a peak not seen since February. 

On September 24, 16 patients remained hospitalized due to the virus. 

INSPQ reports 14 new hospitalizations during the week of September 15, with no deaths recorded. 

COVID-19: CISSS handles protocols on case-by-case basis Read More »

A midwifery birthing room in Gaspé 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Gaspé’s Maison de la famille Parenfant will be the first facility of its type to have a birthing room. Since the number of births in the Gaspé Peninsula does not justify the creation of a birthing centre, the Maison de la famille has come up with a solution to offer the service itself. 

“It is indeed a version adapted to the Gaspésie and Côte-de-Gaspé region,” says Parenfant coordinator Marie-Andrée Nadeau. 

The current Maison de la famille will be expanded, essentially doubling its space to include a birthing room, labour room and a new large multipurpose room. This project will enhance services already offered for the past three years and is the second phase in developing midwifery services in the Côte-de-Gaspé. 

“It consolidates other activities. For three years, we have offered the social perinatal service including pregnancy monitoring with a medical team at the Maison de la famille. Now we are adding services to offer births in the birthing room and a labour room in which couples living further away in the Côte-de-Gaspé can come and spend the first stages of childbirth before going to the hospital,” explains Ms. Nadeau. 

“That’s what we want in the Côte-de-Gaspé MRC to have a team as large as in the Bay of Chaleur, to offer complete midwifery services including births in a birthing room,” she says. 

A job posting for a midwife is listed on the Gaspé Peninsula CISSS (Integrated Health and Social Services Centre) website. The project is innovative as it does not exist elsewhere in Quebec. 

“We hope it will set a precedent for remote regions like ours,” says the coordinator. This offers families the chance to give birth with midwives in a neutral place, outside of a hospital environment. 

“Since the arrival of the social perinatal service, the CISSS has always supported it and discussions are going very well for the expansion,” says Ms. Nadeau. 

The services continue to be appreciated by the population and the addition of services will meet a need. 

“That’s what we saw in the two surveys that we conducted a birthing room, a service that does not exist at all; and a labour room, for families further from the Côte-de-Gaspé; and a large room will meet many of the demands because we will finally be able to offer collective cooking activities and we will be able to increase the number of people participating per group with the expansion,” the coordinator asserts. 

The $1.2 million project is funded by partners, and a public fundraising campaign will be launched in October. Plans are advanced, and construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2025 with an opening projected for the winter of 2026. 

A midwifery birthing room in Gaspé  Read More »

Listuguj conducts successful prescription drug drop-off drive

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Penny MacWhirter and Holly Smith, LJI Journalists

LISTUGUJ: – On the afternoon of July 17, a successful prescription drug drop-off drive was held at the former church site in Listuguj. This initiative was designed to support safe disposal practices for unused or expired medications.

To maximize outreach and encourage participation, the drive was promoted through a range of channels including social media, the local radio station and Listuguj’s digital message board encouraging residents of the Indigenous community to drop off expired or unused prescriptions; over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, cough suppressants and sleep aids; vitamins; and other products such as diaper rash creams and hand sanitizers.

“Why is disposal of medication important? In addition to expired medications no longer being effective, having fewer medicines in your home also means having fewer safety risks,” states one of the advertisements for the drop-off activity.

The event was a partnership between the CLSC, Listuguj Wellness, Listuguj Police and Listuguj Health and Community Services.

Michael Isaac Jr., Communications Manager for the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, says, “Multiple containers of solids, liquids and needles, such as those used for insulin were collected.” He adds that “the total amount was brought to the CLSC, and they sent them off for disposal.”

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Many participants and partners suggested that similar initiatives should be held more frequently. The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government is currently conducting an online survey to determine at what frequency drop-off drives should be held. According to Michael Issac Jr, the feedback has been taken seriously, and plans are underway to organize additional events and focus groups through the Listuguj Wellness Renewal Initiative (LWRI).

The LWRI is an initiative that is supported and endorsed by the Listuguj Chief and Council. It focuses on the well-being and health of all community members making education, resources and overall support available and accessible to all ages. In addition, the LWRI promotes a cultural and holistic approach to wellness, empowering community members to overcome substance abuse and addictions, while advocating for positive change.

While it is too early to fully assess the long-term impacts of the drive on the community, the success of the event highlights the community’s commitment to responsible medication management.

Why safe disposal of expired or unused medication matters

The medicine cabinets in many households have expired or unused medications. The medication could be leftover following the death of a loved one, a prescription that was not finished due to a reaction, among other reasons. Disposal of the medication is usually free and can prevent accident or deliberate intoxication. In addition, it can reduce inappropriate self-medication, adverse reactions and harmful interactions.

In order to reduce the amount of over-the-counter medications in your home, don’t immediately reach for the largest size, but rather the one that meets your needs, taking into account the expiry date indicated on the package.

Proper disposal of unused medication is important for several reasons:

• Preventing misuse: Unused medication left in home cabinets are a common source of prescription drug misuse. By safely disposing of these drugs, the risk of misuse by individuals, including children and teenagers, is reduced.
• Protect the environment: Improper disposal of medications, like flushing them down the toilet, can lead to contamination of water and is harmful to wildlife.
• Overdose risk: Many overdose deaths are linked to the misuse of prescription medications, By ensuring that unused drugs are properly disposed of, the likelihood of accidental overdoses is minimized.

Drug disposal procedures in Quebec

According to the Government of Quebec, expired or unused medication can be returned to any pharmacy in Quebec, at any time of the year, particularly:

• Once a year, after sorting through your medicine cabinet. Choose a time of the year that is easy for you to remember, such as during your fall or spring cleaning;
• After a loved one has died, return his or her medication;
• When there is a change in dosage or medical treatment;
• At the end of a medical treatment.

Be proactive and return your prescriptions sooner, rather than later. The primary types of medications that should be disposed of are medications sold under a prescription or controlled by a pharmacist, including opioids for pain or cough relief; over-the-counter medications; natural health products; and antibiotics. Medications purchased from a veterinarian clinic must be returned to a veterinarian.

In addition, injectable medications, syringes, needles, lancets used for glucose testing must be returned in a special container. You can obtain and return your sharps disposal container from your local pharmacy, CLSC or hospital.

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Parents should update vaccine records as measles cases rise, CISSSO says

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Guillaume Laflamme, LJI Reporter

The infectious disease specialist with the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) is requesting parents in Western Quebec update their childrens’ vaccination records to help public health authorities gain a better sense of vaccination rates in the region as measles cases rise in the province.

Since the beginning of 2024, Quebec has logged 12 cases of the highly infectious disease. Nine of those cases have been in Montreal. In 2023, Canada reported a total of 12 cases across the country.
As case numbers rise in Canada, and around the world, experts are reminding everyone to check their vaccinations against the disease and update them if necessary.
“It’s very, very contagious,” said Dr. Carol McConnery, infectious disease specialist with CISSS de l’Outaouais, explaining that a single case in a school is considered an outbreak because of how quickly the virus spreads.

She said that while at this time there are no confirmed cases in the Outaouais, that could change quickly.
Dr. McConnery explained that vaccination rates for measles in the province of Quebec are not at 95 per cent, which is the recommended coverage rate according to the Government of Canada’s website.
“We know that our coverage [across the province] is not at 95 per cent. So, although we’re saying it’s only 12 cases, that can go up really rapidly.”

Dr. McConnery said average vaccine coverage for schools in the Outaouais area is about 85 per cent.
“[The] CISSS de l’Outaouais with the public health department, the CLSC and the vaccination center is being mobilized as we speak to organize some vaccinations that will take place in some schools in the next week.”

According to Dr. McConnery, a lot of children in the Western Quebec region have received their vaccines in Ontario but have not updated their vaccination records in Quebec, causing difficulties in calculating vaccination rates.

“I’m asking parents who have had their immunization in Ontario and have the records [to go] to the CLSC and have their measles vaccine and all the vaccines registered into the Quebec registry.”
According to the Government of Quebec’s website, measles is a serious and highly contagious airborne disease which spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or speaks.
It remains a major cause of death among children globally but has a safe and effective vaccine available.
According to Dr. McConnery, there is a triad of symptoms to look for when checking for measles: a high fever, a cough, and a rash that usually starts in the face and rapidly spreads to the rest of the body.
She said that although the measles virus can cause severe disease, it can also cause other health complications including pneumonia.

The measles vaccine is a combination vaccine, providing protection against multiple diseases simultaneously. The vaccine’s components vary based on the individual’s age.
As per Quebec’s immunization schedule, children should receive the vaccine at 12 and 18 months. Measles cases in the country have been reduced by 97 per cent since Canada’s introduction of free vaccinations.

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