Provincial government releases reports on CHSLD’S in Dorval and Laval to the public

The Quebec government is releasing a series of investigative reports dissecting the events that unfolded at the CHSLD Sainte-dorothée in Laval and the CHSLD Herron in Dorval, which both accumulated a large number of Covid-19-related deaths.

Minister responsible for Seniors and Caregivers Marguerite Blais, who is responsible for overseeing the health and safety of residents living in longterm care facilities, and Health Minister Christian Dubé acknowledged that there is no excuse for what happened early on in the pandemic.

“It is clear to us that the pandemic alone does not justify what happened,” said Blais. “We have learned from the first wave to ensure that we never again experience human tragedies like the ones we experienced last spring.”

The investigation mentions several issues that were present before the outbreak of COVID-19.

However, these issues became uncontrollable as a result of the pandemic. There was a weak response time, especially in private homes.

Blais would be no stranger to the state of elder care in the province, having served as served as Seniors Minister under the Liberal government between 2007-2012.

According to the report, the CHSLD Saintedorothée appears to offer quality care and services, but technical issues and a lack of personnel led to the disastrous situation at the long-term care facility.

The reports were tabled last June and July, according to a press release, but they were only done after the government carried out an indepth analysis of the situation and developed an action plan to tackle the possibility of a second wave.

“The government responded quickly to the findings presented in these reports. Not only have the major changes undertaken served to prepare us for the second wave, our actions are sustainable and their benefits will continue after the pandemic,” Dubé said.

The pandemic exposed existing problems within the CHSLD network, the health minister continued, the situations in Dorval and Laval make this clear. There are better, more sustainable safety measures in place now that will continue long after the pandemic, he concluded.

The deadline to submit nomination papers for the upcoming school board election is 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 and not 10 p.m. as mentioned in yesterday’s story in The Record about the Eastern Townships School Board.

The Record regrets any confusion this may have caused.