Quebecers must pay $429 a day to stay in hospital while waiting for a place in CHSLD; yet in Estrie alone more than 2,000 patients were summoned to this service, lest they should be uprooted and let go of their loved ones.
The opposition parties also strongly denounced this practice on Wednesday in the National Assembly.
Next up are Leah Fournier and her daughter Victoria. The 86-year-old matron lived in a semi-autonomous residence in Cowansville until a tragic accident brought her to the hospital. When she was released, her condition prevented her from returning to the residence and she was offered a transitional place at CHSLD of Granby.
“I would suggest the four CHLSDs closer to my home so I could visit regularly, but Granby is farther away,” Victoria Della Porta said.
Faced with this refusal, the hospital asks Mrs. Della Porta to sign a document that guarantees that each day spent in the center of the hospital, once you pass your place, will be provided with the benefit of free services of $429. “I said no because it is not appropriate, it is not humane to send my mother.” And it will only cost you there.
Victoria Della Porta stood tall and did not make a sign, but thousands do. Over the past 3 years in Estrie, 2,152 patients have paid fees of $429 per day, a total of approximately $4 million.
“There is too much,” commented Liberal André Fortin.
“Some commentators say it’s inappropriate, I think that’s not too weak a word,” added Parti Québécois MP Joël Arsenault.
“Things in the network are not good at the moment,” said Vincent Marissal for his part in solidarity.
The director of special geriatric services at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Danika Manseau, explained the establishment of limits to 70 kilometers of travel and the law allows this practice to free hospital beds: “We feel what these families are going through, but we make sure that all our beds are the most precious let them be busy
Rather, the policy to protect the sick is of the opinion that the patient’s right to choose an institution should prevail. He invites affected families to apply to the CIUSSS for small claims.
