“Our efforts to rebuild the obstetrics department at the Pontiac have been slowed down”
“Our efforts to rebuild the obstetrics department at the Pontiac have been slowed down”
The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) confirmed yesterday (August 25) that contrary to what had been mentioned during the suspension of the obstetrics service at the Pontiac Hospital in Shawville, service will not be back in place in September.
The CISSSO mentioned that the pandemic has not made it possible to restart the obstetrics department at the Pontiac again.
“In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, where our energy have been focused on fighting the virus, the efforts of the CISSS de l’Outaouais to rebuild the obstetrics service in Pontiac have been slowed down” announced the CEO of the CISSS from the Outaouais, Josée Filion.
Despite everything, the CISSS de l’Outaouais insisted several times that the work has continued to progress. It was mentioned that pregnant women in Pontiac can be followed by a midwife service. This service is in addition to the medical pregnancy monitoring also available. Put in place a few months ago, we are improving it so that future mothers can benefit from this local service. During the press conference held by the CISSSO, the director of youth programs, Martine Bilodeau, explained the concept of this hybrid model.
The Warden of the MRC Pontiac, Jane Toller, underlined the creativity of the CISSS de l’Outaouais to offer a new hybrid service but insisted on mentioning that this is not the desired solution. She also insisted, in her opinion, that in order to recruit new nurses we must find a way to match salaries as attractive as in Ontario.
“The MRC Pontiac understands the importance of providing obstetric services in the Pontiac. Our goal is to take the right steps to ensure that we open with a strong and sustainable program by the end of the year. We want to give all mothers the opportunity to have their babies at the Pontiac Hospital, ”said Jane Toller. A joint committee between elected officials from the MRC Pontiac and the CISSS de l’Outaouais has also been set up to find solutions.
The CISSS de l’Outaouais says it is very active as several candidates for the nursing profession have been hired, according to the press release given to the media at the press conference on Monday (August 25). “We are working to establish a model in obstetrics with the aim of creating attraction for the sector.”
2021?
Even if no timetable has been made public by the CISSS de l’Outaouais with a view to re-establishing obstetrics in the Pontiac, the Warden of the MRC Pontiac, Jane Toller, says she hopes everything can be put in place next year. Josée Filion, for her part, indicated that the whole team aims to restore service as soon as possible, but above all he wishes to eliminate the risks so as not to make future mothers experience anxiety.
