Group demanding action on reduction of services at Lachine hospital

The Save the Lachine Hospital Committee, a group formed by Dr. Paul Saba, is demanding action to address concerns about the Lachine Community Hospital.

“We need to reopen our emergency room 24/7, we will save lives by doing that,” Dr. Saba said. “The MUHC has a responsibility to save and secure the population on the West Island.”

The reduction of services at the hospital have been ongoing since October 2021, and in February of this year, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), announced ambulances in Lachine would be redirected to other health centres and ER operations would be reduced to 14 hours a day.

The MUHC has said it’s about better reorganizing services within the health network.

The Save the Lachine Hospital Committee is disputing the claim that there isn’t enough staff to operate.

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“A second myth we’ve heard that there’s no impact on neighboring ERs. We know right now the neighboring hospitals closest to Lachine have an overcapacity on average of 200 per cent, whereas the Lachine is at 21 per cent, almost ten times higher, so let’s reopen,” said Dr. Saba.

“Third myth: ythere’s no impact when you close a community emergency room on deaths. In fact, it does. It’s been shown in scientific literature, especially for time sensitive illnesses like heart attacks, where there’s an increased risk of dying of 15 per cent,” he added.

In March of 2022, the (MUHC) announced an estimated $223-million renovation project for the hospital..to construct modern and state-of-the-art facilities.

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“We were so thrilled when we had the announcement that we’re going to have an investment,” said Lachine borough mayor, Maja Vodanovic. “We didn’t believe it until we put the shovel in the ground and we saw the plans. The plans with a beautiful new emergency room.”

The mayor says the borough organized a rigorous fundraising campaign.

“I was running around collecting money, $2 million we got for special equipment to equip our emergency rooms with the best state-of-the-art care and then all of a sudden, a few months ago, [they said] maybe we’re not going to do it. How can that not be the right thing to do?” she added.

Nearly 1,500 signatures have been garnered on the official petition MNA for Marquette, Enrico Ciccone, will soon table at the National Assembly.