Posted Jun 21, 2023 12:39 PM ET
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube answers questions during a news conference with his provincial counterparts in Vancouver Monday, November 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck. Dube warns provincial emergency rooms will be tough this summer.
It’s a refrain that comes back like a summer song: Summer is shaping up to be a difficult one for Quebec’s emergency departments as the holidays exacerbate staffing shortages. Minister Christian Dube urges Quebecers to prioritize other available options.
In a press briefing on Wednesday morning, the minister reminded the public that the 811 telephone line, to which Info-Santé, a pediatric service and the Guichet d’acces a la premiere ligne (GAP) (Primary Care Access Point) must become a reflex before visiting an emergency room.
According to a press release from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), about 50 percent of summer emergency visits are non-urgent.
To make it easier for the public to find the right care, the ministry is asking facilities to think ahead and announce any cuts or closures in advance.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
In addition to calling 811, people can use the digital GAP to schedule an online appointment with a healthcare professional.
You can also consult your pharmacist or family doctor if you are registered in a clinic.
The Rendezvous santé Quebec (RVSQ), Click Sante And Bonjour Sante For example, platforms can also put users in touch with healthcare professionals.
Psychiatric services are also available through 811.
The Canadian Press’s health content is funded through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for the editorial selection.
This report was first published in French by The Canadian Press on June 21, 2023.
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