An overview of health care for Montreal
Over the past year I have read articles in this space that have touched on various aspects of the vision, planning and construction of the upcoming McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) facility at the Glen. I would like to revisit some of the most compelling arguments for this enormous endeavor that I know can only benefit patients, their families, and the health-care workers who support them.
At the Régie we have been following the development of the MUHC (as well as the CHUM) closely and we are enthusiastic about what both undertakings will bring to Montreal’s health-care system. As Executive Director of the Régie Régionale de la Santé et des Services Sociaux or Health and Social Services Regional Board, I am involved with decisions around allocating and monitoring public health funds with a view to organizing the public health system in Quebec.
The Régie has been a consistent supporter of the MUHC, both vocally and in fiscal terms, from the project’s inception for a number of reasons. First of all, the obsolescence of the current buildings is making it imperative to renew the existing infrastructures; it requires more and more money to simply keep the buildings serviceable. Money that in due course could be re-allocated to other members of the health-care network.
In the case of each of the hospital projects, it is clear to us that new construction is preferable to stop-gap renovations. Every year the demands of modern medicine require more advanced technologies and environments; these configurations are extremely difficult to superimpose on aging structures, they are much easier to design anew. We are happy to see that the MUHC has taken the lead in the construction of a building that will manifest all the features that will support healing in the twenty-first century; from the latest equipment and room configurations to the proper use of natural light and open space.
The single site concept is very attractive from two specific perspectives—patient care and fiscal responsibility. From the patient’s point of view, one clear advantage is that by concentrating programs and services in one location it will be much more convenient and will do away with the need to travel from one spot to another chasing down specialists or treatment. Another benefit that flows out of a one site centre is the concentration of expertise, which is the basis for any world-class institution. Being together under one roof enhances the professionals’ own intellectual synergy because they have the ease and opportunity to work side by side, exchanging ideas and collaborating on work.
Seen from an even greater vantage point, the MUHC will take its place within a city-wide network of “care across the lifespan” services that are offered to Montrealers. Working with other university and general hospitals, with CLSCs and with rehabilitation or convalescent centres, the MUHC and CHUM will become links in a far-reaching health-care system. The ultimate goal for this project is simple; to provide service to patients of all ages. The phrase "one-stop-shopping" has been used before and is appropriate in describing a delivery of health-care services that covers a person’s lifelong needs. That is the challenge of each part of the network; to work well together for the ultimate good of the patient.
Financially, the Régie endorses eliminating the multi-site maintenance, security and transportation costs that exist under the current scenario. The fiscal savings generated by this improved efficiency can be well used by other parts of the system.
Just this week it has been announced that a cooperative venture entitled the Community Health Information Network (CHIN) has won the "Prix d'Excellence Informatique-Santé de l'AHQ". CHIN is a communications infrastructure that will allow hospitals, CLSCs and private medical clinics in the community confidential computer access to the hospital’s information system, for example, the results of a pathology report or lab analysis. It is an example of how city-wide professionals can work together on a patient’s case, sharing current, common information in a confidential and responsible manner. We congratulate everyone involved.
Meanwhile, our role at the Régie is to make sure that the conditions are in place for this type of island-wide networking to grow even further. We will be there to encourage a continued exchange of energy between the university bodies. We will be there to make sure that the required financial conditions will be put together to insure the viability of the new hospitals. We will be there to oversee the establishment of long-term care beds. And we will be there to ensure that the reuse of emptied buildings will be carried out in a responsible and appropriate manner.
Together, all parts of the health network in Montreal will be pulling together to provide the very best lifelong medical coverage to its citizens. We look forward to sharing the journey with the MUHC.
Published by the MUHC Foundation in The Gazette
