(Quebec and Montreal) Quebec apologizes to the families of former Prime Minister Robert Bourassa’s widow, Andrée Simard, who died at St. Mary’s Hospital Center after three days of unspeakable suffering and distress.
Posted 10:33am Updated 11:00am
“On my behalf and on behalf of the network, I apologize to those close to Ms. Simard,” wrote the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Christian Dubé, on social networks on Friday. He was not available for an interview.
“Healthcare professionals must work together to provide humane care,” he tweeted. This is the basis of the health plan and our end-of-life work with Sonia Bélanger. »
The latter, Minister for Health and Elderly, called on the CIUSSS to “review the practices at St Mary’s Hospital so that a situation like this never occurs again”. Questioned by La Presse in recent days, the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal has promised to change its practices. “I will ensure that the changes are implemented and that what Quebecers are entitled to is respected,” added Ms. Bélanger.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Sonja Belanger
The minister acknowledges that Ms Simard’s situation is ‘unacceptable’. “No one should have to go through that in their final moments. In Quebec, we have humane palliative care that respects people’s wishes,” she said.
On Friday, La Presse reported that Andrée Simard, widow of former Prime Minister Robert Bourassa, died at St Mary’s Hospital Center after suffering for three days. She was deprived of palliative care, the continuous sedation normally provided for patients at the end of life. However, access to this type of service is a right guaranteed by law.
“When I speak, it is for all those who have no right to speak in an intimidating environment of organized chaos. It was a nightmare and is this how we will end? ‘ his daughter Michelle Bourassa explained in an interview. Extremely discreetly, Ms Simard had insisted that when she was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital Center it would not be mentioned that she was the wife of the Prime Minister who died in 1996.
On social media, Dr. Amélie Boisclair, an internist in the intensive care unit at the Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital in Terrebonne, revealed that she also experienced the refusal to care for a family member. “He deserved better and yes it brings great frustration to those who stay. Rest in peace madam and my thoughts to the loved ones,” she said.
Questioned by La Presse, the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal has already promised “to take the necessary follow-up action to review this practice and ensure that patients who need this care [palliatifs] can receive them in the same unit they are in”.
Ms Simard had COVID-19 and was therefore unable to be transferred to the palliative care unit to avoid exposing vulnerable patients to the virus. This unit was close to the oncology department, which posed a risk. Until now, “continuous sedation has only been offered in the palliative care unit,” according to the pharmacy department’s instructions, explained CIUSSS spokeswoman Hélène Bergeron-Gamache. A mechanism is also planned to receive complaints from patients and families, she also recalled.
With Denis Lessard