Network administrators express frustration about being excluded from key information decisions
Quebec healthcare network managers cry foul over being left in the dark, with AGESSS claiming a failure of communication and staying excluded from crucial discussions leading to network transformation. Association CEO Danielle Girard laments that continuous attempts to arrange a meeting with Santé Quebec CEO Genevieve Biron have gone unanswered.
Girard highlights the disconnect, stating, "I am now asking Minister Christian Dube to put Santé Quebec in its place so that it speaks to our association of 9,000 managers." Managers represented by AGESSS work on the front lines, from CHSLD directors to emergency chiefs and home support coordinators—individuals who see the realities of patient care and carry solutions.
Girard cannot fathom why she is unable to engage with Santé Quebec's top brass during this significant network reformation and under tough budgetary conditions. As a result, she fears the decentralization promised by the government may fall apart. In the past, AGESSS has been promised proximity management and consultation of its on-ground managers.
Santé Quebec claims communication channels with the association are well established, with regular meetings scheduled until July. However, AGESSS counters that there is a lack of direct dialogue with Genevieve Biron, a troubling situation given the complex challenges managers face daily. It should be noted that wage negotiations fall under the Ministry and not Santé Quebec.
Decentralization
While the minister's law has allowed for the hiring of hundreds of "proximity" managers to oversee facilities and ensure decisions are made close to patients, the scope of action for these new managers has been a subject of debate. Girard believes that decisions should be made at the facility level. However, she worries that decisions appear to be made at Santé Quebec, leaving her with the impression of an "ivory tower" approach.
AGESSS recalls the missteps of Minister Gaetan Barrette's reform, which saw significant cuts to management positions, causing delays in decision-making and increased workloads. To avoid repeating these mistakes, the association insists on proper collaboration during the transformation period.
In an effort to shed light on manager roles in the healthcare network, AGESSS launched the "Without managers, no services" campaign on April 28th to debunk the stereotype of managers as "pencil pushers."The campaign aims to emphasize the critical role of managers in delivering health and social services.
- The transformation of the Quebec healthcare network has raised concerns among managers represented by AGESSS, as they feel excluded from crucial discussions and decisions, despite working on the front lines in CHSLDs, emergency services, and home support.
- AGESSS CEO Danielle Girard is urging Minister Christian Dube to intervene and ensure that Santé Quebec communicates with her association, especially during this period of network reformation and tight budgetary conditions.
- There seems to be a disconnect between AGESSS and Santé Quebec, with Girard expressing frustration about her inability to engage with the top brass at the health organization during this significant network change.
- The association is particularly worried about the decentralization promised by the government, fearing that decisions may continue to be made at Santé Quebec, leading to a potential breakdown of the promised system. AGESSS recalls the past mistakes of ministerial reforms and emphasizes the need for proper collaboration during the transformation period to deliver effective health and social services.
