Waiting lists in health: the dictator of the health

Photo Chantal Poirier
Jean Bottari

Jean Bottari, special collaboration

Saturday, December 9, 2017 05:00

UPDATE
Saturday, December 9, 2017 05:00

Look at this article

Those who know me will not be surprised that this very first special collaboration the Journal will be devoted to our minister of Health, Gaétan Barrette, that I call non-affectionately as the dictator of the Health.

All the powers of the minister

In march 2016, the government of Philip Couillard has abolished the post of Commissioner for health in order, he said, to save a paltry$ 2.5 Million on the budget of$ 36 billion. This measure more than questionable, so no one who’s mission was to provide additional light on the public debate and governmental decision-making.

The many changes brought in by the omnipotent minister of Health will no longer be subject to periodic evaluations and public denunciations. He will be able to self-evaluate !

The self-evaluation exists in the Network of the health. During my last five years as a care attendant, I had to answer, once per year, to a series of questions in order to assess my work, my attitude and professionalism, among other things. But by handing in this form to my department head, it is he who changed my answers according to the perception he had of me. Gaétan Barrette, meanwhile, will be both judge and party. You can bet that it will be a very good note.

The endless waiting lists

The Newspaper we learned this week that there are currently 2200 patients waiting for surgery for over a year. The minister has promised to abolish this list by the end of the current year.

In front of the defence surprisingly Gaétan Barrette, according to which delays are attributable to people who refuse their date of operation, Jean-François Lisée has ironisé. “Well, it is the fault of the patients, it is their fault, they were not present. “On the number of people who are waiting for care for a year and more, all have refused to be operated on a specific date ? There are, however, limits to take us for dupes !

The waiting causes suffering

Wait for a surgery means suffering and making excessive, but necessary, painkillers which have many side effects. This expectation undermines the morale of the patients. Some could no longer work and will become providers of employment insurance and even social assistance. Declining incomes and the pain unrelenting in doing so that many people find themselves in depression. Their personal and professional life is turned upside down.

Collateral damage, is more likely to say the minister !

Jean Bottari has been attendant to the recipients and is an activist for the rights of users in health. He speaks regularly on the issues that relate to the conditions of life of sick people, hosted, or waiting for care.