Three weeks after setting up a temporary hotline to field complaints about health care, the FIQ says it has received more than 2,000 submissions
The health care workers' union Interprofessional Federation of Health in Quebec says it fielded 2,136 complaints, either via email or phone, about how easy it is to get treated, and the quality of care being delivered.
At a news conference on Tuesday the union said patients called from hospitals with stories of overworked staff and inadequate care.
"The vast majority were patients," said Roberto Bomba, the treasurer of the FIQ. "On average these calls would last between 15-20 minutes so it clearly demonstrated these patients were in need to speak to somebody and what was provided within the institutions wasn't responding to their needs."
There were also calls from health care professionals, including one nurse who was responsible for 170 patients in a long term care facility who didn't feel she could do her job properly.
According to FIQ 42 per cent of complaints were about accessibility, 16 per cent concerned the quality of care being delivered, and 12 per cent were about the negative effects of Bill 10.
The union did not say what the remaining 30 per cent of messages were about.
The overarching message from the FIQ is that it believes the public doesn't support recent cuts to health care and will not support any further cuts.
Members also said the government should consider setting up a similar, permanent hotline and are asking for the Auditor General to conduct more investigations into how health care facilities are spending taxpayers' money.
The FIQ is fighting budget restrictions being implemented by the provincial government, and pressuring the government to reverse cost-cutting measures.
