The Gatineau Health Foundation believes in the power of “we”, because for nearly 40 years, it has acted as a transmission belt between the needs of the healthcare system and the desire of its population to bring about real change, in terms of both the quality and accessibility of the care offered.

While necessary, government funding has its limits. It’s no secret that the Outaouais region has long been underfunded in terms of health and social services. Hence the importance of philanthropy, as it enhances the capacity of institutions to develop more rapidly. There’s no doubt about it.

The projects financed by the Foundation come from the field, demonstrating the crying needs raised by our healthcare workers. It’s YOUR involvement that creates a real and direct impact on the quality of care, since you enable us to, among other things:

• Humanize work environments and user care environments;
• Optimize equipment to offer a greater variety of health and social services to our population;
• Support the work of dedicated professionals;
• Improve the quality and accessibility of care offered to users.

“Giving goes far beyond charity. It’s an investment in our local institutions, which will ultimately ensure that we’re better served, that we’re better off, and that we have a healthier, more prosperous population.” – Dr. Marc Bilodeau, CEO, CISSS de l’Outaouais

Thanks to you, through your contributions, we can continue to be an important lever of change in the realization of projects that affect the entire population, from birth to the end of life. Here are just a few examples of projects realized thanks to your generosity:

10 comfort chairs for CHSLD Ernest-Brisson residents:

At CHSLD Ernest-Brisson, there was a shortage of comfort chairs for residents, most of which were unusable and could not be repaired. This situation forced residents to make do with unsuitable chairs in common areas. However, the acquisition of 10 chairs adapted to residents’ needs has improved the situation, providing better support and reducing the risk of wounds caused by prolonged sitting. This initiative has also created a more pleasant communal space for activities and rest, promoting residents’ well-being and quality of life, while meeting the organization’s priority needs in terms of care and comfort.

Acquisition of 3 colonoscopes in specialized medical clinic:

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in Quebec after lung cancer, and the government has introduced a screening program to improve survival. Colonoscopy is recommended for high-risk individuals. However, the limited number of colonoscopes was leading to overuse and breakdowns, reducing their accessibility. Thanks to the addition of three colonoscopes in specialized medical clinics and at the CISSS de l’Outaouais, this now provides adequate equipment, improves accessibility to examinations and contributes to better survival for people at risk of colorectal cancer in the region.

Care and comfort kits for gynecological radiotherapy patients:

This project aims to provide free vaginal dilators to patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy, particularly those with gynecological cancers. Prior to this project, obtaining these dilators was financially difficult for some patients, impacting on their quality of life and post-treatment monitoring. Now, thanks to the acquisition of care and comfort kits, all patients at the CISSS de l‘Outaouais benefit from these dilators, promoting their well-being and monitoring their risk of recurrence. This project also provides an opportunity to raise awareness among medical staff, reinforcing the importance of preventive exercises to maintain vaginal and pelvic elasticity in patients treated with gynecological radiotherapy. By ensuring equal access to this care, the project significantly improves patients’ post-treatment quality of life and guarantees adequate monitoring of the risk of recurrence.

Today, we invite you to continue this wonderful adventure with us, and to be part of this generous community that is giving to the transformation of the healthcare network. Together, we have the power to forge a first-class health and social services network that is resilient, innovative and accessible to Outaouais citizens at every stage of their lives.

In the Outaouais region, we are fortunate to form a community that cares about the health and well-being of its fellow human beings. With nearly 120 funding projects underway, totalling over $7 million in commitments, it’s clear that there are many opportunities to enhance and optimize the care and services offered in our healthcare facilities.

With your continued support, the Gatineau Health Foundation is making a concrete commitment, in partnership with the CISSS de l’Outaouais, to continue to meet needs that are unique to the Outaouais population.

Softly :

In emergency departments, medical staff are faced with a lack of distraction mechanisms for pediatric patients, compromising pain and anxiety management during medical procedures. To remedy this shortcoming, the introduction of CHU Sainte-Justine’s “Tout Doux” distraction kit, proven effective in training, is necessary. This kit uses sensory distraction to divert children’s attention from pain and anxiety during care. In its absence, pain and anxiety persist, affecting the quality of medical care. Implementing these kits will improve pain management, reduce the stress associated with procedures, alleviate patient discomfort, and align care with organizational priorities, thereby promoting the well-being of pediatric patients.

Mobile shower wishshower:

To ensure respect and dignity for all patients, particularly in palliative care at Hull Hospital, where no bath is available, the introduction of a mobile wishower shower would be essential. This solution would facilitate hygiene care for patients with reduced mobility or suffering from pain, while reducing the risk of injury to healthcare professionals. The mobile shower offers a practical, easy-to-move solution, equipped with an integrated decontamination system, ensuring complete care in the privacy of the patient and without risk of injury to professionals. The acquisition of this mobile shower would enhance the patient-centered experience, prioritize patient dignity, reduce the risk of contamination, and strengthen the sense of pride of healthcare professionals within the organization.

Intervening through music:

To meet the challenges of social isolation and reduced outdoor activities for residents of the Mental Health and Dependency Department’s residences, the introduction of music therapy is proving promising. This innovative approach, using instruments such as digital pianos and guitars, offers the flexibility to address a variety of individual and group needs. In addition to breaking down isolation, music therapy encourages observation of residents’ interactions and attitudes, providing a playful assessment context for caregivers. It is expected to significantly improve residents’ physical, mental, social, and spiritual health, by raising their self-esteem and creating a stimulating environment. This post-Covid responsive project aims to rekindle residents’ motivation through rewarding musical experiences, fostering a meaningful connection between residents and caregivers, and contributing to residents’ holistic well-being.

It’s thanks to the power of “we” that we can enhance, improve and optimize all the services we offer, and fundamentally transform the Outaouais health and social services network, because every citizen of our region deserves equitable access to quality care that respects his or her needs and dignity.

For all these reasons, we look forward to counting on your generosity once again. Your contribution will further our mission: a healthy Outaouais.

Thank you for your commitment to our community.