The Outaouais region is prized just as much for its sprawling parks, rivers and lakes as for its thriving population and its quality of life that is the envy of many regions. Unfortunately, this idyllic backdrop is also home to another, grimmer reality: the continuing legacy of historic underfunding in health and social services.
In recent years, the Outaouais region has lagged far behind in terms of public funding for health care, which has had an alarming impact on the quality of life of its population: long waiting times, limited access to specialist services, obsolete infrastructure, demotivated staff, not to mention the difficulty of meeting the growing needs of an ageing population.
Although our health-care establishments are supported with highly qualified doctors and dedicated care professionals, outdated equipment and a lack of innovative technologies prevent them from providing first-class care, and deprive our entire community of the care that could otherwise be offered to them.
” Despite the profound humanity of the nursing staff, the lack of resources available to them is alarming. I want us to make improving the health care system a collective project. “
– OLIVIER, CANCER CENTER PATIENT
Your latest contribution is a testament to your commitment to be part of this transformation, and has enabled us to carry out these two important projects that have had a direct impact on our community, among other things.
Painting walls with colours, adding murals and providing mobile videogame units in residential and long-term care centres may seem like small changes, but they can make all the difference for residents. Thanks to these improvements, residents can really feel at home while also receiving the care they need, which has a big impact on their daily lives.
“I used to never see the other residents, my neighbours from the rooms next to mine. Now I see them and they’re happy. People didn’t talk to each other before, but now you notice changes everywhere. I’ve also realized that I’m opening up a lot more.”
When someone enters palliative care and needs end-of-life care, it is a difficult time for them and their loved ones. Every family deals with a loved one’s end of life differently, but it’s common for families to spend hours, sometimes days and even evenings at their loved one’s bedside to make sure they’re there right to the end. At times like these, the comfort of patients and their loved ones becomes paramount. Things as simple as decoration, the right chairs, children’s games and a serene environment can make all the difference.
This project has reduced suffering and brought a more human touch to this trying time. “We create a peaceful environment. This reduces stress, anxiety, panic and pain. In his final moment, the patient is in a good environment, in a comfortable room with an adapted bed. And for families, we have a lounge that makes them feel at home.”
– Guylaine Therrien, palliative care nurse at Hull Hospital
Today, we invite you to continue this wonderful adventure with us. Collectively, we have the power to forge a first-class health and social services network that is resilient, innovative and accessible to every Outaouais resident.
With your continued support, the Gatineau Health Foundation is making a concrete commitment, in partnership with the CISSS de l’Outaouais, to act as an agent of change. Among other things, the Foundation is committed to ensuring the population of the Outaouais has access to health care services right here at home, with the following impacts:
No longer necessary to travel more than 200 km from home and loved ones;
Innovative cancer treatments;
Access to cutting-edge technologies enabling surgery to be carried out more efficiently and with fewer complications;
Reduced waiting times;
Access to necessary and appropriate equipment to optimize the work of care staff;
Various emergency and support funds to promote the health, well-being and academic perseverance of youths placed under the care of social services;
In addition to supporting our community as a whole in the areas of mental health and addictions, independent living for the elderly, research, rehabilitation and many others, we have more than 100 funding projects underway totalling more than $6 million in commitments.
The current challenges in our health care system mean that many appointments for examinations are being delayed or even cancelled. Waiting lists are exploding in Quebec and across the country.
The Hull Hospital’s operating theatre currently has two C-Arm machines operating at maximum capacity, which are used simultaneously by the neurosurgery, orthopaedics and multipurpose rooms. The number of machines is woefully inadequate to deal with the growing number of surgical procedures, which have sharply increased with the recent pandemic. To make up for the backlog in radiology examinations and reduce hospital admissions, it is essential to have not only specialist staff, but also state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
“The new technology is very important from the point of view of improving care and reducing complications and risks, while also improving turnaround times and reducing intervention times.”
– Dr. Youssef Karam, neurosurgeon and head of neurosurgery
The acquisition of fluoroscopy equipment will help improve outcomes, reduce costs and operational risks, increase workflow efficiency and reduce the time taken to deal with surgical emergencies.
The clients of the Mental Health and Addictions Department often go through periods of great vulnerability where their safety and integrity are at stake. Users regularly find themselves in psychosocial or psychiatric crisis situations, relapsing into addiction, losing their homes, and so on.
Local partners (community organizations, local businesses, etc.) are called upon to help out in various ways. Sometimes, these patients and their needs do not match the eligibility criteria of the organizations or their service offerings.
These patients often require a rapid response in an emergency situation, and it is not always possible for community partners to act as quickly as the situation requires.
The aim of this project is to create an emergency aid fund to respond to situations that cannot be dealt with by community partners or do not fall within the scope of the services they offer.
By enhancing, improving and optimizing the entire range of service offerings, we are transforming the Outaouais health and social services network, because every citizen of our region deserves equitable access to quality care that respects their needs and dignity.
For all these reasons, we look forward to
to counting on your generosity once again. Your contribution will
further our mission: a healthy Outaouais.
Thank you very much for your commitment to our community.
