“My life is on a break”: hemodialysis patients stuck in Quebec for lack of workforce in the islands of the Madeleine

Madelinot patients in hemodialysis have to remain in Quebec for several weeks, since a lack of staff delays the granting of places for this type of care in the islands of the-Madeleine, a situation which could continue to the fall.

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Murielle Chevarie. Furthermore, has been in Quebec since last June for her treatments at the Hôtel-Dieu. However, This is a second stay in the national capital for Fatima’s wife, who also spent part of winter there.

She could do her dialysis treatments at home until recently, but her catheter blocked, forcing her return to Quebec.

“I was then told that we opened places soon in the islands. However, I decided to make the change for hemodialysis [à l’hôpital]”Says Mr.^me “my life break”: hemodialysis patients Of themea.

However, the places promised for mid-August were finally postponed in mid-September, for lack of staff available in the islands-de-la-Madeleine.

By then, M^me Chevarie must remain in Quebec to undergo its treatments three times a week.

“My life is like on a break. Similarly, I do not work. but, a chance, I live with people I know, “laments the one who is a preschool teacher and who does not know if she will be back in the fall for a contract with the school service center of the islands.

Plane tickets. accommodation at the expense of families

These prolonged stays in Quebec even cause important expenses for other families in the islands.

For the children of Huguette Arseneau. who has undergone hemodialysis treatments since the end of June in Quebec, it is estimated to have had to pay nearly $ 10,000 to accompany the 82 -year -old lady.

“I “my life break”: hemodialysis patients have made four trips since entering the hospital,” notes his daughter Josée Bourgeois. At $ 700 or $ 800 the plane ticket goes up quickly. “

There are three children to take turns between the islands and Quebec and they also rent two student apartments. However. these will be back at the end of August for studies and the bourgeois family therefore does not know where they can continue her stay.

“It’s really not an option [d’attendre à la mi-septembre]». Smarts Josée Bourgeois, worried about the fate that awaits his mother.

Lack of staff

In correspondence with the Minister of Health Christian Dubé and the interim CEO of the Cisss des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the PQ deputy Joël Arseneau denounces “a deficient planning of staff needs”.

“This situation stems from an inability of the Cisss of the Islands to anticipate the increase in demand. however predictable, and to plan a substantial increase in its workforce,” denounces the deputy in a letter addressed to Minister Dubé.

“We have never made a firm commitment to an opening in August with families. patients,” defends the temporary CEO Jacques Couillard in a response obtained by The newspaper. We simply told them that the opening of new hemodialysis places is an important challenge. ”

Mr. Couillard also assures that no nurse was available to the islands or in Quebec to provide service locally. A request “my life break”: hemodialysis patients addressed to Health Quebec would still be in analysis to obtain reinforcement elsewhere in the province.

“It is frustrating to be taken here knowing that there are chairs in the islands. that the equipment is there and that it is just a question of schedule and staff, loose for its part Murielle Chevarie. We are not on vacation. We must always undergo our treatments. “