HEALTH. The Chaudière-Appalaches region’s First-Line Access Window (GAP) has been quite busy since it opened in May 2022. As of February 23, 17,193 inquiries have been received and processed.

On January 10 alone, GAP teams answered 589 calls with a response time of 75 minutes and 35 seconds. This represents the highest number of calls since the service was launched, according to the Chaudière-Appalaches Integrated Center for Health and Social Services (CISSS-CA).

The number of daily calls fell in February. For example, on February 6th it was 477 and on February 13th it was 464. The response time on February 13th was 60 minutes and 54 seconds.

“We are aware that these response times to inquiries from citizens who do not have a family doctor are still quite long. That’s why we’ve added staff since the opening of the GAP,” Mireille Gaudreau, CISSS-CA PR officer, said via email.

Thus, the GAP of There Chaudière-Appalaches has had a team of eight administrators answering calls since February 23; nine nurses who analyze and call back citizens’ requests; and two social workers who offer telephone consultations or refer patients to the right doctor.

In addition, the CISSS-CA can count on a new nurse in March. In addition, two nursing positions and two administrative positions are to become vacant in the coming months.

“These people work very hard to respond to requests from citizens and work as a team with their manager to improve services, particularly in terms of access to frontline services or a doctor when the situation calls for it . . They go to great lengths to find ways to expedite service, thereby reducing phone waits. The deployment of virtual waiting is planned in the coming months,” Ms Gaudreau concluded.