More than $700,000 has been invested in hemato-oncology at the Shawinigan hospital to adequately meet growing needs.
Two functions separate a space at the Center-de-la-Mauricie hospital in Shawinigan. In the center, a plastic sheet that serves as a wall. On the one hand, physiotherapy, and on the other, hemato-oncology. Then, hemato-oncology will have its own premises next year.
“For intimacy and for the context, it is not ideal for our patients”, explained the hemato-oncologist and head of the hematology and medical oncology services at the CIUSSS MCQ, Christian Carrier.
“A suitable space is necessary to receive patients,” added the deputy director general of general and specialized physical health programs at the CIUSSS MCQ, Christine Laliberté.
It is that in March 2020, hematology-oncology gave up its space in the emergency department, first temporarily. However, it is impossible to go back there today.
“Given the fact that infection prevention and control measures must remain, so keep a space of two meters between patients, we had no choice but to turn to another solution,” argued Mrs Laliberte.
Cohabiting with physiotherapy services represents a challenge to ensure optimal services, especially for a vulnerable clientele.
“Currently we are a bit camping”, imagined Dr. Carrier. “The layout of the premises was not planned for a hemato-oncology clinic,” he said. Patients then receive good care, but “it’s not ideal,” retorted the hemato-oncologist.
Users will be able to find greater privacy. For employees, it also means being able to provide more care, less travel, and faster access to basic equipment.
The project is valued at just over $700,000. Between them, Desjardins and the Health and Social Services Foundation of Energy assume a little more than two-thirds of the bill, or $500,000.
“We were challenged by the urgency to act in this case,” assured the director general of the SSS Energy Foundation, Amélie Vallée.
Moreover, the majority of the foundation’s activities will be dedicated to the hemato-oncology project this year. It will be possible to contribute with the auction, the hike or the roadblocks to name a few.
The new space, which should open in 2024, could also be used for other functions in the event of an emergency. Thus, another service could use the facilities temporarily if it is necessary to do so, which ensures the sustainability of these new premises for the coming decades, according to Dr. Carrier.
