Several patients from western Quebec were moved to other locations for medical treatment last year, raising concerns about the potential risks for Outaouais residents in case of serious accidents.
Around 100 patients in 2025, as estimated by the CISSS de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) due to data limitations, were redirected to Ottawa or Montreal for surgeries that should have been performed in the region, due to a shortage of vascular and plastic surgeons.
Dr. Ricardo Ruz, the head of the Quebec Association of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and a vascular surgeon at Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital in Laval, Quebec, mentioned that they have collaborated with seven Montreal hospitals to rotate and provide urgent care for Outaouais patients.
Ruz emphasized the adverse impacts of patient transfers on their health, potentially leading to complications or even fatalities.
Karine D’Auteuil, the president of the Outaouais Nurses’ Union, highlighted the strain on the healthcare system when nurses have to accompany transferred patients, creating additional workload for the remaining hospital staff.
Karine D’Auteuil, the president of the Outaouais Nurses’ Union, emphasized the complexities of patient transfers. (Patrick Foucault/Radio-Canada)
Last vascular surgeon left the Outaouais last year
Dr. Geneviève Gagnon, the medical director of CISSSO, expressed concerns about patient transfers in a region like the Outaouais with a population of over 400,000, emphasizing the need for local vascular and plastic surgeons to minimize lengthy travel for patients.
The absence of a vascular surgeon in the Outaouais since August last year and the scarcity of plastic and maxillofacial surgeons further compound the healthcare challenges in the region.
According to CISSSO, the region has only one plastic surgeon and is expecting to have three maxillofacial surgeons, highlighting the urgent need for more comprehensive support from the Quebec Health Ministry.
Santé Quebec confirmed the presence of an emergency response plan to ensure continuous and efficient medical services in the Outaouais region.
Despite ongoing efforts, Dr. Ruz criticized the lack of leadership from the health ministry in addressing the medical specialization deficiencies in western Quebec and stressed the need for proactive solutions.
“The burden should not fall solely on me to resolve these issues,” stated Ruz.
Concerns over transfers
Concerns persist regarding the repercussions of situations like severe car accidents in the Outaouais, especially related to patient transfers and the impact