CISSSO CEO visits Pontiac
CISSSO CEO visits Pontiac
On Monday (September 30) the CEO of regional health authority CISSSO, Dr. Marc Bilodeau, was in Shawville at the Pontiac Hospital for a meeting with local representatives. This is Bilodeau’s second tour of the region since taking the helm of the organization in January 2024.
Bilodeau spoke about the recent news reported in Le Droit that the CISSSO was projecting a deficit of $70 million this fiscal year. He said that with an aging population increasing demand for long-term care as well as increased costs for goods and services were key drivers of this situation. He added that their reliance on private staffing agencies was also a big factor.
He said that Pontiac was unique in that it’s low placement on the socio-economic index leads to different health challenges among the population.
Bilodeau also spoke about the organization’s efforts to cut back on the use of private agency staff, which the province is requiring that they phase out by October 2026. He said that they can look to regions that have earlier deadlines to end this practice as a guide.