(Montreal) The city of Rivière-Rouge has expressed its opposition to the evening closure of the municipal hospital's emergency room. She announced Wednesday evening that she would appeal to the Quebec Superior Court to block the closure.
Published yesterday at 10:59 p.m.
Due to staff shortages, the Laurentides Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) recently announced that starting February 1, emergency services at Rivière-Rouge Hospital will now be offered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A week before the implementation of this decision, the city of Rivière-Rouge, together with other parties, announced in a press release that they would contact the Quebec Superior Court to prevent this.
Earlier this month, many Riverouge residents demonstrated in the streets against the evening and nighttime emergency room closures, but the CISSS appears to be sticking by its decision.
Although residents have to travel around sixty kilometers to get to neighboring hospitals, Health Minister Christian Dubé and Labelle MP Chantale Jeannotte reiterated in a press release sent on January 12 that “everything is prepared.” Make sure that Patients receive the care and services they need in complete safety. »
They also added that there are no plans to completely close the emergency department “under any circumstances.”
Despite the reduced emergency room hours, a doctor will remain present at night to care for patients admitted during the day who require care at night, the health ministry's office claimed. This doctor will be able to stabilize people in critical condition before taking them by ambulance to area hospitals.
The emergency service has been improved to ensure a quick transfer to the Mont-Laurier or Sainte-Agathe hospitals.