The FIQ is being innovative with a ratios project in home support in Montérégie-Centre
On Tuesday, January 29, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ and the Syndicat des professionnelles en soins de la Montérégie-Centre (SPSMC) took part in the launching of a safe healthcare professional-to-patient ratios project which will be implemented at the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre (Réseau local de services de Champlain). A project anticipated by the healthcare professionals which is a major innovation, because it will be deployed in home support.
“The employer and union want this ratios project to take place in our institution. Therefore, it is a relief and privilege to see that it has become a reality today, for our members and the public who will benefit from it”, stated Denis Grondin, President of the SPSMC. About sixty healthcare professionals will take part in this project, which will have major implications. “Our work in home support is often misunderstood. Our reality will be demystified and taken into account through the ratios project. Our members are impatient to have the time to not only take care of the patients, but to also be able to support their natural caregivers” explained Mylène Lévesque, Vice-President SPSMC CLSC Mission.
While other healthcare systems have implemented safe ratios in the hospital setting, the ratio that will soon be implemented in home support at Montérégie-Centre is a first of its kind, at the international level. Improvement of the response to patients’ needs and the personnel’s practice conditions will be documented during the time the ratios project is implemented.
“We are particularly proud of this ratios project. First, the 17 ratio projects have now been launched, and this one will take place in home support, which is nothing less than a world’s first! The battle for safe, quality care has been waged by the FIQ for several years. We are waiting for the government to quickly pass a law on ratios as well as a deployment plan for the next few years. If we want to give hope to the healthcare professionals, the government must be committed and send them a strong message” concluded Nancy Bédard, President of the FIQ.
From left to right: Denis Grondin (President of the SPSMC), Marc Tremblay (V-P SPSMC officer for task and organization of work), Mylène Lévesque (V-P SPSMC CLSC Mission), Nathaly Chénier, Katia Fecteau, Caroline Proulx (Union Consultants at the FIQ) and Jérôme Rousseau (V-P of the FIQ).