Abitibi-Témiscamingue: months without an anesthetist at the hospital of Ville-Marie

Stephanie Gendron

Thursday, 19 October 2017 15:44

UPDATE
Thursday, 19 October 2017 15:49

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VILLE-MARIE | The anaesthetist of the hospital of Ville-Marie has left her position, so that there may be no operation or delivery in Témiscamingue for 34 weeks in the next year.

The new mayor of Ville-Marie, Michel Roy, feels that the citizens of her small town of 2500 inhabitants are held hostage since the nearest hospital is in Rouyn-Noranda, 130 kilometers of road.

“From time to time, yes, it did not have an anesthetist, but never 34 weeks like that. What is disturbing also is that there is no air of having really of solutions,” commented the mayor.

Women who have given birth will be brought to the hospital in Rouyn-Noranda. The same for a patient should remove the appendix, for example.

In the course of the last year, the operating theatre was functioning well with the anaesthetist, who held the post at Ville-Marie and several doctors, convenience stores.

But his departure to the hospital of The Saarland is a problem in Ville-Marie for the coming year.

Shortage

“I can’t find any more. I have the impression that I scoured everything I could have as a convenience store. I can’t invent,” says Annie Léger, director of professional services.

Of anaesthetists of Abitibi, who work mostly in other hospitals have pledged to meet 18 weeks for the coming year. An anaesthetist would be interested to settle permanently in Ville-Marie, but in September 2018.

Solutions

The retired physician Paul-Emile Barbeau believes that a short-term solution could be the coverage of groups of anaesthetists. “There may be possible arrangements in hospitals where there are large volumes and where there is an impressive number of anaesthetists”, he believes. This concept of exchange would allow anesthesiologists in the region to maintain their skills by practicing from time to time in larger hospitals, while ensuring that there are specialists in all remote areas every week.

The minister of Health Gaétan Barrette says that practical solutions would point to the horizon, that would correct the problem of a lack of anaesthetists in the whole of Quebec.

“It seems that there is a more positive approach on the part of the Association of anaesthetists. We will see if it will come to fruition,” said minister Barrette.