The hospital of Laval to the lack of hot water for months

Héloïse Archambault

Saturday, July 8, 2017 08:00

UPDATE
Saturday, July 8, 2017 08:00

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Of plumbing work at the hospital of Laval cause of the absences and sudden hot water for several months, which further complicates the bathing of new-born babies and prevent mothers to take a shower in their room.

“It is not very 2017. But in hospitals, there is not much which is 2017. At times, one has the impression that it is because of the medicine of the bush “, reacts Isabelle Dumaine, president of the local union of nurses (CSQ) of the hospital Cité-de-la-Santé in Laval.

Photo courtesy

Isabelle Dumaine
Union

Carry the hot water

This is a few months of plumbing work are underway at the hospital, including in the mother and child unit, where women are transferred after birth. However, the renovations are causing problems with hot water.

The nurses union, there is no hot water for 36 beds (some rooms are doubles). Other sources have also confirmed to the Journal that the problems have been ongoing for months.

To give the bath to the babies, the nurses have to carry hot water from another room, or give care elsewhere.

“We are accustomed to work in appalling conditions, and it is a matter of more, denounces Mrs. Dumaine. It causes inconvenience. “

According to the integrated Centre of health and social services (CISSS) of Laval, there are problems with “sporadic” pressure drop in rooms (all with shower).

Failures

However, one cannot say how many beds are directly affected nor give any precise date for the start of work, which have been ongoing for ” several months “.

“The hot water can not go in certain rooms, it is not able to determine where the hot water goes. The water circulates in the pipes, there may be a failure in a room “, said Pierre-Yves Séguin, councillor framework to communications of the CISSS.

When the lack of hot water is known to employees, the patient is directed to another functional shower. However, some mothers realize that the water is cold or warm when they wash themselves.

“We offered them to change (shower), the problem is sporadic,” said Mr. Séguin, adding that no complaint of patient has not been received.

Until August

Moreover, the union does not explain that the works are spread over months in a room.

“We understand that it is necessary to change the piping, but it should not take three months,” said Ms. Dumaine.

Estimated at $ 20,000, the plumbing work should be completed by the end of August, according to the direction.

“It is clear that for the patients, this is not fun. When you have just given birth, you don’t want to wait to take a shower, ” said Ms. Dumaine.