Tentative end to weekend service breaks at Pontiac Hospital

Tentative end to weekend service breaks at Pontiac Hospital

Regional health authority CISSSO announced in a press release this afternoon (October 12) the end to weekend breaks in some services at the Pontiac Hospital, though they cautioned that the situation “remains precarious”.

In late July, the CISSSO announced the Pontiac Hospital would be suspending some services in their ER and ICU on weekends due to a lack of respiratory therapists. Respiratory therapists are required when administering anesthesia for emergency surgeries, as well as intubation in the ICU, among other tasks. During the periods without any on call, the hospital lost its status as a trauma center and paramedics were required to take severe cases to either the Hull or Pembroke Hospital.

At the time, the hospital’s deputy director of professional services, Serge Boucher, told CHIP 101.9 that they were down to two respiratory therapists from their usual four, and in order to not burn out their remaining staff, they decided that cutting weekend shifts was the best course of action.

The announcement today notes that they have signed three contracts with private agencies as a stopgap for the next six months.

“The CISSS de l’Outaouais would like to inform the population of Pontiac that the Pontiac hospital currently has 2 out of 5 [respiratory therapist] positions filled in addition to 3 contracts concluded with independent labor agencies,” today’s statement reads (translated). “For the moment, although the situation remains precarious, we do not anticipate any service interruptions over the next six months. We will thus be able to maintain working hours without planning any disruption. We would like to highlight the remarkable dedication and resilience of our two respiratory therapists, who continue to make their valuable contribution to ensuring continuity of care.”