Shortage of medical and nursing staff weighs heavily on emergency room services at Laval's Cité de la Santé

On Saturday and Sunday, the temporary crisis compelled the hospital administration to post signs at the entrance to the ER, urging patients to go to other medical centres in Laval.

According to Mathieu Vachon, spokesperson for the Centre de Santé et services sociaux (CSSS) de Laval, this was a first in the history of Cité de la Santé.

"Due to a temporary shortage of ER nursing and medical staff at Cité de la Santé, we cannot presently provide medical care for newcomers who come to our Emergency Room," the posted signs read.

"Consequently, if your case is not a major emergency, we ask you to go any of the 16 Laval medical clinics that provide services without appointment." The list of these 16 clinics was posted inside the ER.

Figures released by the hospital revealed that the ER was visited by 131 people on Saturday, and 137 on Sunday. The average visits to the ER amount to about 175 for both days.

Monday, when the signs were removed, the ER had to deal with 231 cases. "We know that weekends are taxing because we have to operate with reduced staff. We even have agreements with the Concorde, Sainte-Dorothée, and Sainte-Rose medical clinics that allow for additional nursing personnel to be called in to help them deal with an increase in visitors on Saturday and Sunday."

"We're in a period of extreme demand for ER services, and the shortage of medical staff complicates our task at times."

Photo:AngER