The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie-Ouest (CISSSMO) welcomes the decision to postpone the ban on the use of independent labour agencies in the healthcare sector until March 2025.

“We welcome the second draft regulation, which will give us the time we need to establish the winning conditions. It's a decision that's in the best interests of the population, and will help avoid service disruptions,” says the CISSSMO communications department.

On August 22, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, announced that healthcare establishments would have until March 2025 to comply with the new regulations. Initially, the deadline had been set for October 20, 2024. 

In anticipation of the regulations coming into force, and in order to meet ministerial targets, the CISSSMO has been forced in recent weeks to temporarily close 45 of the 237 medical beds available at Hôpital du Suroît. 

These closures are attributable, in particular, to the labour shortage and the organization's desire to gradually reduce the use of placement agencies. 

“This additional 6-month period will enable us to continue our preparations, recruit new resources and ensure a smooth transition. It's all in the spirit of offering workers and the public a more humane network. We are making every effort to avoid further bed closures at Suroit Hospital... The redrawing of the ambulance territory is also being continuously reassessed to maintain the load balance in our hospitals with the help of our network partners, in the best interests of the population,” explains the CISSSMO, which assures us it is closely monitoring the situation.

Also in the news

“It's crucial to restore the right level of service.” - Marie-Claude Nichols

Suroît Hospital: consequences of bed closures to be expected

CISSSMO recorded a deficit of $106,129,940 in 2023-2024