Children's Clinic operator says Brunswick Medical Centre won't suffer the same fate
After the sudden closure of the Children's Clinic in Montreal last week, there are growing concerns about the future of another clinic operated by the same company.
The Brunswick Health Group runs a clinic of the same name -- the Brunswick Medical Centre -- in Pointe-Claire.
The clinic is a busy place, visited by roughly 300,000 patients a year. Despite this, its operator is deeply in debt.
"There's about $42 million of secured debt. And that's the main reason of their financial difficulty, is that they're not able to pay their debt," said Ayman Chaaban, a court-appointed insolvency trustee working to restructure the Brunswick Health Group.
He says a deal is in place with another operator to buy the Brunswick Medical Centre. The transaction is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
"That potential purchaser, basically, is going to take over and operate the clinic," Chaaban explained.
A source confirmed to CTV News that the buyer is ELNA Medical Group.
Unlike the Children's Clinic, the Brunswick Medical Centre is expected to stay open.
Chaaban stressed that despite Brunswick's heavy debt, this is not a bankruptcy.
"It's not a bankruptcy, it's a restructuring. Bankruptcy means liquidations, means there's no operations anymore here. We're talking more about a restructuring process," he said.
Vince Trevisonno, CEO of the Brunswick Health Group, says the clinic was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic; with physicians helping out in hospitals, its revenues dropped -- and costs soared.
He's confident that, even after the sale of the clinic, its 300,000 patients won't have to find a new place for medical care.
'Disappointing' news about Children's Clinic
The Children's Clinic announced its closure on Thursday, to the surprise of many parents.
The clinic opened in 2015 to divert less complex patients away from the Montreal Children's Hospital.
For mother-of-three Julie Labrecque, the clinic was key to managing her children's health conditions, which require frequent follow-ups with doctors.
"It's very disappointing. It's really tough," she said. "And I know it's not just in pediatrics -- it's everywhere. Everyone's struggling with [health care]."
She feared the closure will lead to more lengthy ER visits to families with non-urgent cases.
"We call doctor when we have a problem, and it's nice to be able to go see them. So, not having that service is a little tough, and I can only imagine that the hospital is going to be even busier with this happening."
The Children's Clinic said it's working with doctors to help transition their practice to other locations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft has landed on the moon’s far side to collect rocks in a growing space rivalry with U.S.
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.