We are absolutely not in the same situation as the CHSLDs of the Arbec Health Group. The transfer of residents to the emergency room due to a lack of staff is not a solution that could be considered and even less implemented.

If some of you have read the article in the newspaper “La Presse” [web link]  about the difficulty of private CHSLDs in keeping their workforce, we would like to reassure you.

Our use agencies staff is minimal. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have concluded exclusive contracts with certain agencies that have made it possible to stabilize the staff on the floors.

The majority of shifts are filled by our own staff. The costs of the agencies are therefore not an issue for us. In addition, for some time now, the financial support provided by the government has made it possible to increase the hiring of new employees.

It is true that we are in discussions with the Ministry of Health and Social Services regarding the funding of the staff (managers excluded) to equalize their salaries with those of the employees of the public.

We will not publicly discuss the contents of these discussions or the planned scenarios. On the other hand, we would like to point out that we are not one of the 3 CHSLDs selected as a pilot project for a transformation as a “conventionné”.

In 2021, the government announced its desire to contract the remaining 39 private CHSLDs in Quebec, and this wish was reiterated recently during a videoconference. But we do not know more than the rest of the population, the avenues and the outcomes of their plan and no timetable has been given to us. We will therefore not be able to answer your questions on this subject.

The precariousness of staff affects all sectors in Quebec and health is no exception. We are proud at CHSLD Château Westmount to be able to count on a very strong core of employees that has allowed us to get through the pandemic without any service breakdown and that allows us to look to the future serenely.

The quality of care for residents is a constant concern for all members of our team and it is this quality that is the basis of the reputation of the CHSLD Château Westmount. We will continue to provide impeccable care while maintaining the same level of service you are used to.

When we have more information on the reform of CHSLDs, we will keep you informed. You are not only our customers but also our partners.