The management of the CISSS de Laval informed the CHSLD staff at the end of November that the establishment was targeted by this survey [du coroner]
.
The CHSLD Sainte-Dorothée was one of the hardest hit in the first wave, with around 100 fatalities. It is the subject of collective action.
In his communication, the director of the support program for the autonomy of the elderly at the CISSS de Laval writes to employees in particular that they can use the services of a lawyer.
If you have concerns related to the investigation process, it may be possible to ask to be accompanied by a lawyer during meetings with the Sûreté du Québec investigator.
, he writes.
“Caution” with investigators
Further on, nurses and doctors, in particular, are invited to remain cautious in the information they share with investigators.
Some employees could be members of a professional order […] Thus, we wish to inform you that the Sûreté du Québec investigator does not have the power to “lift the confidentiality” and that only the coroner can do so within the framework of the public inquiry. We invite you to remain cautious when disclosing information and to remember that you are bound by professional secrecy during these meetings.
Joined by Radio-Canada, the president of the CSN union of the CISSS Laval, Marjolaine Aubé, said she had some discomfort when reading the email. We received many calls from our members who felt a little intimidated
, she says.
The email suggests getting a lawyer, not to cooperate fully. I don’t accept bullying. We have not given any slogan at home not to collaborate, on the contrary
, says Ms. Aubé.
In a document attached to the email sent to employees, the lawyer representing the CISSS de Laval specifies that we tell you that we must cooperate fully in this investigation
. He also adds thatit is important to answer the questions according to your recollection of the facts, or your notes, if applicable, but to avoid assumptions or assumptions
.
The senior communications and public relations advisor of the CISSS de Laval, Pierre-Yves Séguin, says both surprised and saddened by the interpretation people have made of it
. He adds that in order to reassure the staff concerned, each was first called individually and then an email was sent to them, in which was attached a guide, written by the legal services, intended for employees to allow them to prepare
.
The director, who wrote the email to the employees, was also absent for a month.
At the Bureau du coroner du Québec, it is confirmed that a notice of hearing will be issued in the coming weeks specifying the names of the other accommodation facilities targeted by the public inquiry. Dozens of deaths will be documented.
The Chief Coroner of Quebec announced last June the holding of a wide-ranging public inquiry into certain deaths that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in CHLSDs, private seniors’ residences and other accommodation settings for vulnerable people or people with loss of autonomy.
Witnesses and key players in the housing of the elderly in Quebec will eventually be heard.
–
