Dear Editor,
I read with great interest last week’s editorial feature in THE EQUITY, concerning the state of healthcare in this region and the province of Quebec as a whole.
I am not opposed to centralization, with the caveat that I think centralized service coordination of healthcare should still be tailored to meet the needs of the population it serves. I think it is obvious that CISSSO requires some work in this regard. The pay-for-parking scheme is one of the most visible aspects of what transpires when local voices are cut out of the conversation.

Blanket solutions for healthcare issues, that treat every region and facility the same, are not feasible for needs that vary greatly from region to region. Our hospital and patient needs are different here than in other regions of the province, as they would be for facilities and needs of any region.
Pontiac has an excellent network of healthcare facilities with caring and compassionate workers.
Quebec should strive to bring other regions and facilities up to the standard of care offered here in the Pontiac. Yet we are seemingly faced with organizational efforts that are bringing the Pontiac down to the levels of other less-successful areas of Quebec when it comes to healthcare.
I am pleased that healthcare continues to remain an important topic for all of the people of our region.
I am further encouraged by my colleagues that make up Pontiac Voice, who so diligently and respectfully advocate on this issue.
Greater input from “boots on the ground” healthcare workers will be one of the catalysts to improving our healthcare system across the province going forward.
One measure that we, the residents, must undertake is to remain involved in the conversation and to not allow this issue to fall by the wayside. I am optimistic that this conversation will continue and that our voice will grow ever louder.

Ben Woodman
Gatineau, Que.