Employees moved from one unit to another at Sainte-Dorothée long-term care home, inquiry hears
Employees of the Sainte-Dorothée long-term care home in Laval were often moved from one unit to another, even though they were potential vectors of COVID-19.
Several witnesses testified to this on Wednesday during the coroner's public inquiry into the deaths of elderly or vulnerable people during the first wave of COVID-19.
Claire Montour, president of the CSQ-affiliated Fédération de la santé du Québec, said her union often sounded the alarm on the matter to the Health Ministry.
"We can't work and give care two metres from the patient (...) it's clear that the staff is a vector of transmission," she said.
She said there was "a communication problem," because even if the ministry repeated the message to the institution's management, nothing changed.
IMPOSSIBLE CHOICES
The Director of Human Resources, Communications and Legal Affairs at CISSS Laval, Julie Lamarche, said she was fully aware of the unions' demands, but that she had not been able to avoid having workers move around during April 2020, even though "that was our target."
She explained that she had made "heartbreaking decisions" to avoid a service disruption and thus "save the lives" of residents.
"In April, we were at 67 per cent absence" of staff, she recalled. Many of them were either infected with COVID-19 or waiting for test results.
To try to fill the gap, she said she recruited hundreds of new staff at Sainte-Dorothée from multiple sources. Some were "demoted" from other health-care facilities within the CISSS. Others were working with placement "agencies," volunteered on the "je contribue" platform, were "independent labour" or "retirees" from the health system who came back to help.
However, these new people often had very little experience in a CHSLD and had to be matched with staff who knew the environment. Lamarche explained that she often moved staff around so that "there was at least one experienced person on the floor."
In all, 102 Sainte-Dorothée residents died from COVID-19 during the first wave.
INQUEST BACKGROUND
The coroner's inquest is examining the deaths of elderly or vulnerable people in residential settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accounted for half of the victims in the first wave. Its objective is not to point fingers, but to make recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
Six CHSLDs and one seniors' residence were designated as a sample. One death is being examined for each facility. Then a national component will also be examined.
This week's hearings focus on the death of Ms. Anna José Maquet on April 3, 2020 at the CHSLD Sainte-Dorothée in Laval.
- This article was produced with the financial assistance of Facebook and The Canadian Press News Bursaries. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 23, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.