CHSLD private : the best kept secret of our health system

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Jasmin Guénette

Friday, 16 February 2018 11:40

UPDATE
Friday, 16 February 2018 12:13

Look at this article

Last week, I explained in a post why they are entrepreneurs, not government, that will save our health care system. I responded to a news of the project of Marc Lacroix, a physician-entrepreneur, to develop a chain of 25 to 50 private clinics désaffiliées. I remembered why, among other things, the monopoly public has an interest in limiting the costs of health – and thus access to patients – whereas for a private clinic, this patient represents a source of income.

MEI has already pleaded several times to introduce a greater diversity in the providers of services within a health system accessible to all, as is done in most European countries, with generally better results than here. We also looked specifically at the issue of housing for the elderly. A publication of the MEI, dating back to 2015 noted that the quality of services in the CHSLD private agreements is a bit higher than in NURSING homes managed by the State.

Bret, I have received in response to my ticket a letter from a person working in the middle of the CHSLD. It tells the story of this unknown reality, is the fact that a sixty CHSLD centres and re-education are managed by private companies within the public network. Few people know this, since for the patient, it makes no difference : the contribution is the same as in a public CHSLD, and the doors of entry to the network also.

The letter explains this reality, and I reproduce below a few extracts.

Read it and, in addition to the CHSLD, you say that this may apply to hospitals and to all kinds of medical services, imaging or surgery, with enormous benefits for patients, particularly in terms of access to care.

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I would like to add to your reflection by mentioning that for the past 60 years, there is a pattern of NURSING and rehabilitation centres managed by the private within the public network. Subsidized private institutions (EPC) are essentially private enterprises which provide a public service of which the rules are defined by a convention signed with the ministry of Health and social Services.

One of the great advantages of this model is the very structure of the institutions. Lightweight and optimized based on the needs and services required by residents and users, and thus putting the human before the structure, it allows a fast decision-making thanks to the accessibility of the owner-manager. Daily, this gives rise to a proximity between the organization, staff, volunteers, residents and families.

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There are 57 NURSING homes and 2 rehabilitation centres private institutes in our network. Don’t be surprised not to know. They are difficult to spot since the contribution of the resident or of the user is the same as that paid to the public and that the way to have a place is the atm services of the CLSC, such as for NURSING in public.

As you say, private-sector entrepreneurs must differentiate themselves by the excellence of their services. (…) In 2017, twelve private institutions under contract (EPC) have received the visit of Accreditation Canada. Of this number, eleven EPC (92 %) received an accreditation with commendation, the highest distinction in the program QMemtum Accreditation Canada. This quality of care and services is unsurpassed. However, this successful model which combines a variety of living environments and top quality work is well hidden. In fact, it is probably the best kept secret of the health network J. All of our attempts to develop this network, which offers the best care and services to residents face with the premise that the health, it must remain public. But at what cost to the residents!

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