CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE Feb. 27, 2018
On Feb. 27, Quebec Health Minister Gaétan Barrette was at the CAP in Shawville to announce a $909,000 investment to expand the endoscopy unit at the Shawville Hospital.
Accompanied by Pontiac MNA and Minister of Transport André Fortin, Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) CEO Jean Hébert and a contingent of security, Barrette explained that they will expand the hospital’s capacity to screen patients for a host of diseases.
Endoscopes are tubular cameras that can be inserted into a hollow organ or cavity in the body to look for abnormalities. It is a key tool in screening for cancers of the digestive system, Fortin emphasized, which means that it is a tool in high demand.
“We’ve started to offer endoscopies to patients from Aylmer, who want their treatment faster. We have some of the best and most dedicated doctors, I say this truly, in the field,” he said. “We’ve got a local population that’s very aware of the importance of prevention and getting the procedure done early.”
“We have that because of our local legends here in the Pontiac who took that cause to heart after himself being diagnosed, and said very publicly that everybody should get tested for colon cancer,” he continued. “Of course I’m talking about Bryan Murray and … others who may remember the impact.”
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
When asked whether this expansion would mean additional nursing or technical jobs for the hospital, Barrette was unsure.
“It will depend on the volume. As we’ve seen today, the volume is increasing, which is a good thing,” he said. “We are always aiming, with our equipment, to run them at full capacity. To go to full capacity, if that means additional staff, are needed, the answer is yes. As of today, the answer is no because the volume has not reached that point.”
Outside the CAP, members of the health and services union that represents support workers in the region, Syndicat des travailleuses et des travailleurs de la santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (STTSSSO-CSN ) were picketing and holding signs with low battery symbols.
Their Vice-President, Michelle Bourgoin, said that she and her co-workers are short-staffed and overworked, a systemic problem across the province.
“We’re here to help our co-workers and to say to the bosses: ‘It’s not enough, we need more,’” she said. “Enough is enough. We keep getting told to do more, more, more, and it’s too much. Everyone is tired, it’s like we said, low battery.”
Bourgoin said that the pay they receive in Quebec is below that of support workers in other provinces.
“We want to see our government make efforts towards hiring people. Right now, no one wants to work in healthcare, in Quebec anyway,” she said. “The salary is less than anywhere. People get their schooling here, then go to the other side of the river because they make more money.”
The union has been holding protests and sit-ins across the region, as they are currently in negotiations with CISSSO.
Despite the security detail, as well as two additional Sûreté du Quebec cruisers parked outside, Barrette said he was unaware of any protest when questioned after the announcement.
“When I got in, there was no protest. Maybe there is one now,” he said. “As I said, I understand what this conversation is all about but as I said also previously, there is an issue about manpower in the Outaouais and elsewhere in Quebec. We are very close to full employment and this has a consequence across the province in each and every field in society, including healthcare.”
“The message I have for the [protesters] is that we’re going to be working very hard with them to improve the conditions, but at the end of the day, it will start also with the recruitment of personnel.”
Following the announcement, Bourgoin and STTSSSO-CSN President Josée McMellin met with the officials that were present to discuss their issues. Bourgoin said that she was glad they were listened to, but didn’t put much faith in the responses she got.
“We talked about the kitchen, we talked about negotiations, they listened to everything … They can say anything they want, but I’m not sure they will respect what they say,” she said. “We need change around here.”
The protesters followed Barrette and his entourage to the Gatineau Hospital where he was scheduled to make another announcement.
