The Center for Integrated Health and Social Services Abitibi-Témiscamingue [CISSS-AT] expects a deficit of $87 million for the current fiscal year.

Much of that expected deficit is due to the use of independent workers, which is about $70 million, according to estimates presented Thursday at the board’s monthly meeting.

The rest is due to inflation, including rising food costs and interest rates.

For Caroline Roy, president and director general of the CISSS-AT, reducing the deficit requires recruiting and retaining staff to reduce the use of independent workers.

For the same hour worked, one hour of self-employed work including the hourly rate as well as accommodation, food and travel costs is three times as much. So that’s very important, and that’s exactly what our current expected budget deficit is.emphasizes Ms. Roy.

Possibly 15 new doctors in 2024

In addition, Abitibi-Témiscamingue will be able to recruit 15 new additional family doctors in 2024, according to the new Regional Medical Workforce Plans (PREM) presented on Friday. That is three more funds than were allocated to the region last year.

Changes have been made to the plans to encourage the recruitment of doctors in the regions. New physicians can choose from four subregions and indicate their preferences for the specific medical activities they wish to pursue. Regions will also be able to determine the locations where doctors will be deployed based on needs.

Does it meet all requirements? No, we would have a much greater need, but the shortage of family doctors affects all of Quebecsays first Doctor Jean-François Verville, new president of the Association of General Practitioners of Northwest Quebec.

It is always a challenge for us to recruit candidates for all of our positions. Last year we had twelve positions, five are still vacant today, he continues. It is not always easy to attract doctors to Abitibi, but we make great efforts to fill as many of our positions as possible year after year. That’s why we’re still happy to have 15 this year.

Dr. Verville estimates that between 40 and 50 more physicians will be needed to provide full care services to the region’s population and clear the waiting list for a primary care physician.

– In collaboration with Annie-Claude Luneau, Boualem Hadjouti and Bianca Sickini-Joly