A family medical facility in Hudson, Quebec, located west of Montreal, is set to shut down due to the impact of Quebec’s contentious Bill 2. The Hudson Medical Centre, which caters to approximately 11,000 patients, primarily English speakers, is the sole bilingual GMF (Group of Family Doctors) in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges area, as mentioned by Dr. Tara McCarty, a family physician and co-owner of the clinic.
Dr. McCarty revealed that the clinic will cease operations on April 1 following the departure of three out of seven practicing doctors who opted to leave the province in response to the new law. She expressed concerns about the legislation compelling doctors to provide what she considers “unsafe care” to patients by dictating whom to see, when to see them, and other aspects of patient care.
Bill 2, which has been effective since October 25, links doctors’ compensation to various performance metrics, such as the number of patients served and their level of vulnerability. Several medical organizations in Quebec, including those representing specialists, family doctors, medical students, and pharmacy owners, have initiated legal challenges against the law, arguing that it will have adverse effects on patient healthcare.
In response to the closure of a GMF, Quebec’s Health Ministry emphasized the importance of ensuring that patients are registered with the Guichet d’accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF) to access medical appointments through the Guichet d’accès à la première ligne (GAP).
Premier François Legault and Dr. Marc-André Amyot, president of the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ), announced the resumption of formal discussions to address the concerns raised by family doctors. The possibility of amending Bill 2 to account for an increased number of patients under family physicians’ care was highlighted in the joint statement released by both parties.
The Hudson Medical Centre shared that each patient will receive personalized communication from their respective family doctor regarding their future practice arrangements. Patient Christie Lovat expressed deep disappointment over the closure, emphasizing the significant impact on the entire community that has relied on the clinic for multiple generations.