No family doctor? One phone number will soon connect you to health services in Montreal
"Gradually," is the word the president and director-general of Montreal's South-Central CIUSSS used several times to explain how a new primary care network will be deployed for people in Montreal who don't have a family doctor.
Sonia Belanger's cautious tone reflects the complexity of the ambitious project, which will officially launch in April.
Its success will depend on a sound technical setup and most of all on finding enough health professionals in Montreal, especially nurses, to answer calls and consult with patients.
"I'm convinced it will improve access. No system is perfect but I hope it's several steps in the right direction. We'll adjust as we go,” Belanger said as she provided a sneak peek at exactly how the new hub is expected to operate when it officially launches in April.
Of the 1.8 million people residing in Montreal, nearly 800,000 of them are without a family doctor. Only half have put their names on the approximately two-year waiting list.
That waiting list can be accessed online or by phone and is known in French as the 'Guichet d'access a un medecin de famille' (GAMF).
This new project is broadening the role of the GAMF and will transform it into five ‘guichets d'acces a la premiere ligne,' or GAPs: five front-line services hubs that will be operated by the CIUSSS in each of Montreal's five health territories.
ONE PHONE NUMBER, ONE CALL
It might sound a little confusing, so to make it simple for people to use, there will be just one number to call for any non-emergency issue, like "an earache for example, or a vision problem,” Belanger said.
"We don't want it to be complicated. People don't always know which CIUSSS is in their territory so for the population there will be one unique phone number,” Belanger said, that will be publicized at a later date.
A nurse will answer the call, gather some basic information and will then transfer the person to the GAP in their area.
"There at the access point, there will be an evaluation with a professional on the phone. They can sign up for a family doctor and they can ask for help if they need it,” Belanger said.
WHAT KINDS OF HEALTH SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE?
"Depending on the person's needs and priority we can give access within 48 hours to a health professional,” said Belanger.
She said the referral would be "either to a doctor - but if there's no doctor then, depending on the situation, they can have access to a nurse practitioner, a nurse, a social worker or even a pharmacist.”
Frequently she said, people just need to renew a prescription, but without a family doctor to turn to they don't know how to go about it.
"Pharmacists in many circumstances could renew,” Belanger said.
It will take time before they'll be able to integrate other professionals and services into the mix, like psychologists or physiotherapists, support that GPs say they need if they're to take on new patients.
Still, GPs will be called upon she said to help make the new system work.
"All the GMF's [family medicine groups] will have an obligation to have an appointment system,” that will be connected to the new GAPs.
"The doctors…will have to take the people who are on the list, it's very important,” she said.
“It’s a big challenge, a big, big challenge. We’re missing many nurses now also."
The hope is that those who have been working in hospitals and vaccination centres over the last two years will return to help.
“We’ll continue to recruit. We need them, it’s clear,” said Belanger.
Correction
A previous version of this story stated 400,000 Montreal residents are without a family docotor, according to figures provided to CTV News. In fact, the number is 800,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.