Reaction to the article Un outil pour suivre l’état du réseau de la santé (in French only)

The Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ notes the launch by Santé Québec of its public dashboard on the state of the network. While transparency towards the public is essential, the data must reflect the reality in the field and be used to correct problems, not to disguise them.

“What our healthcare professionals see are not green, yellow or red dots: they see exhausted teams, patients waiting for hours, and care that is postponed because of a lack of staff”, stated Julie Bouchard, President of the FIQ. “Colours don’t change the daily overload or the distress of the teams in the field.”

The FIQ also points out that the section of the dashboard dedicated to the front line – family medicine clinics and groups – does not yet include any data. And it is precisely here that lack of access and staff shortages are hitting hardest.

“If we want to give an honest picture of the state of the network, we need to look at where Quebecers first seek care: in CLSCs, FMGs and local services”, added Julie Bouchard. “Patients don’t want charts, they want appointments.”

The FIQ also deplores the fact that Santé Québec publishes indicators without providing complete data on workforce planning, retention and staffing of nursing personnel. These factors are central to understanding why the network remains so fragile.

“What people want is to receive care. What healthcare professionals want is to be able to provide it, and care worthy of the name. Numbers and coloured dots will not put the front line back on its feet, reduce waiting lists or attract and retain staff. Only a genuine political will, backed up by concrete, sustainable action, will be able to breathe new life into our public network”, concluded Julie Bouchard.