While management at McGill University Health Center (MUHC) refuses to say publicly that Lachine Hospital’s emergency room is open 24 hours a day, doctors are growing impatient and calling for more transparency.

For more than four months, the MUHC has publicly hammered out the message that the emergency room at Lachine Hospital is closed at night from 10pm to 8am, although this is untrue. The local population in need of emergencies can be on site at any time of the night.

The Association of General Practitioners of Montreal (AMOM) says it doesn’t understand management’s stubbornness.

“Honestly, it’s not hard to say: the medical staff are there, the emergency room is open, thank you, we’re taking care of the population and that’s it!” laments its president, who D^R Michael Vachon.

He explains that this lack of clarity left by management “creates an unbearable climate of uncertainty” on site. With a shortage of 380 general practitioners on the island of Montreal, doctors are spoiled for choice and can easily work in another emergency room or perform patient follow-up visits in CHSLDs.

The hypothesis put forward by several speakers raises doubts about the goodwill of the MUHC in relation to the rescue of Lachine Hospital.

Management had clearly expressed their intention to change the purpose of the community hospital and make it a center for the treatment of chronic diseases, less acute cases and the provision of palliative care. However, the strong mobilization of the citizens with the support of the medical staff and the political class thwarted the project.

Last April, the management of the MUHC thus confirmed the maintenance of the community hospital status of the Lachine facility.

Then, fearing a shortage of medical staff, doctors rallied to fill the need.

“Everyone has mobilized on the ground to keep it open and honestly we would like more transparency on the communications side of the MUHC,” affirms the D^R Vachon.

He commends his colleague, director of the Montreal Regional Department of General Medicine (DRMG), Dr.^D Arianne Murray, who “has worked hard with the on-site doctors to find the necessary staff to maintain 24/7 service,” he said.

“Nevertheless, false information continues to be spread in MUHC communication,” complains the family doctor.

The D^R Michel Vachon appeals to the duty of serving the French-speaking population of Montreal’s West Island. He wants people to know that they can always get quality healthcare close to home.

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