West Island residents are upset at being forced into distant hospitals while 113 beds lie empty at the Veteran’s Hospital in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, which was officially transferred from the federal level to the province in 2012.
About $120 million was spent on renovating the hospital but the facility is still not fully ready.
The hospital will be turned into a CHSLD - a long-term care facility - but many also wonder if the resources and expertise developed at the Veterans Hospital will continue to be used to help serve the population.
“We know that in the past they wanted to keep all of the services - now will they? Now with Bill 10, all of the changes under the healthcare system in the province, I don't know,” said union representative Yvan Thauvette.
Quebec's health minister says the Quebec government is eager to access the new beds and services.
“Ste Anne's hospital and all its resources will be transferred to Quebec authorities in 2016. The services that were provided to veterans will remain for the period of time that is necessary and the rest of the resources that are not used as we speak will be integrated in our network, so it's paperwork,” said Health Minister Gaetan Barrette.
The local federal MP wants to see the facilities offered as soon as possible.
“It’s another year away so I'm hoping the federal government, if it still has the decision making power between now and then will do something creative to make sure those beds are accessible to the community,” said Lac St. Louis Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia
