Liberal MNA shows Quebec health minister how difficult it is to get a doctor's appointment
Quebec Liberal MNA André Fortin took advantage of Tuesday's budget review to show the Minister of Health just how difficult it is to get a medical appointment.
In the middle of a parliamentary commission, Fortin visited the "Québec Medical Appointment Scheduler" website to try to get a consultation with his own family doctor in the Outaouais region.
"It tells me: 'No appointments meeting your search criteria are available at the moment'", he read aloud.
The elected official then tried to get an appointment with another health professional in the same Family Medicine Group, then at a clinic within a 25-kilometre radius, without success.
"What do we do?" he asked Health Minister Christian Dubé, who suggested he use the Guichet d'accès à la première ligne (GAP).
Fortin said his assistant, who doesn't have a family doctor, recently tried her luck with GAP in the Outaouais region, but couldn't get an appointment.
"So, what's this person to do?" repeated Fortin, pointing out that the government is asking Quebecers not to go to emergency rooms.
He asserted that the Clic Santé portal often directs patients to fee-based services from private clinics.
Dubé recalled that family doctors have committed to releasing 900,000 appointments annually. In two weeks' time, he will know whether these slots will indeed be made available to Quebecers.
Dubé's team revealed on Tuesday that the "crisis cell" set up in 2022 to improve the situation in emergency departments will be maintained.
Fortin lamented that occupancy rates in many of the province's ERs are so high that they are putting patients' lives at risk. "The situation hasn't changed a bit," he said.
Assistant Deputy Minister Dr. Stéphane Bergeron replied that the crisis unit meets every two weeks and met just last Friday.
"There is a clear desire to perpetuate an operational cell with a focus on how to reduce the average length of stay in the emergency department, and improve care in the emergency department," he said.
Fortin recalled during the exchange that the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) had promised in 2018 to reduce the average wait to 90 minutes to see a doctor in the ER.
He lamented that only four of the 115 emergency rooms in Quebec reach the 90-minute mark. At the Anna-Laberge hospital in Châteauguay, the wait was more than 13 hours Tuesday evening.
Private mini-hospitals will be geriatric clinics
The CAQ also promised during the 2022 election campaign to build two private mini-hospitals, one in Montreal and the other in Quebec City, to relieve congestion in the health-care system.
On Tuesday, Québec solidaire (QS) health critic Vincent Marissal asked Minister Dubé about the conversion of these mini-hospitals, which he saw announced in the appropriation books.
Dubé confirmed that the mini-hospitals will eventually be converted into geriatric clinics, "much more oriented towards the needs of an aging clientele."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 16, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israeli attack on Rafah tent camp kills 45, prompts global outcry
An Israeli airstrike triggered a massive blaze killing 45 people in a tent camp in the Gaza city of Rafah, officials said on Monday, prompting an outcry from global leaders who urged the implementation of a World Court ruling to halt Israel's assault.
A cross-country look at beer and wine in convenience stores
By Labour Day weekend, Ontarians of legal drinking age could snag a six-pack at their local convenience store on the way to the cottage. But what are alcohol sales like across the country? Here's what we know.
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor fatally shot in Los Angeles
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles while interrupting thieves Saturday, according to his agent and CNN affiliate KABC.
Kingston, Ont. tenants fed up with lack of action from landlord over broken floor tiles
Joel Felder and Misti Pitcher have been living in their apartment in Kingston, Ont. for over two years, but the past 12 months have been miserable.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
U of T protesters don't plan to pack up, will hold rally at eviction deadline
Pro-Palestinian protesters who have been camped out at the University of Toronto for weeks say they have no plans to honour the terms of a trespass notice issued by the school and clear the demonstration site by 8 a.m. today.
She developed a passion for genealogy while finding her roots. Now she helps others find their own
Lauren Robilliard always knew she was adopted. As the B.C. native grew older, she developed a passion for genealogy, tracing her roots and paving the way for a career to help others find their own.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Papua New Guinea says landslide buried more than 2,000 people
A Papua New Guinea government official has told the United Nations more than 2,000 people were believed to have been buried alive by Friday's landslide and has formally asked for international help.