Dozens of patients from western Quebec were relocated for medical treatment last year, sparking concerns about the potential risks faced by Outaouais residents in case of serious accidents. Approximately 100 patients in 2025 had to be referred to Ottawa or Montreal due to a shortage of vascular and plastic surgeons in the region, as revealed by CISSS de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) due to inadequate data.
Dr. Ricardo Ruz, the president of L’Association de chirurgie vasculaire et endovasculaire du Québec and a vascular surgeon at Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital in Laval, Quebec, mentioned that a collaborative effort involving seven Montreal hospitals has been initiated to provide on-call coverage for urgent cases from the Outaouais region. This innovative approach was described as unprecedented by Ruz, who highlighted the potential health implications and challenges for the healthcare system associated with patient transfers.
The Outaouais region has been facing a significant shortage of vascular and plastic surgeons, with the last vascular surgeon leaving in August of the previous year. Dr. Geneviève Gagnon, the medical director of CISSSO, emphasized the need for on-site surgeons to minimize long-distance transfers, especially considering the region’s population of over 400,000 individuals. Currently, there is only one plastic surgeon and two soon-to-be three maxillofacial surgeons in the area, indicating an urgent need for additional medical expertise.
Santé Quebec has acknowledged the situation and stated that an emergency response plan is in place to ensure the provision of safe and efficient medical services in the Outaouais region. However, Dr. Ruz expressed disappointment with the provincial health ministry for what he perceives as a lack of leadership in addressing the medical specialist shortage in western Quebec.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the repercussions of patient transfers, particularly in emergency situations such as severe car accidents. While CISSSO believes the Outaouais can manage traumatic cases, there are ongoing discussions to recruit more specialized physicians and explore options like remote medical consultations to enhance healthcare delivery in the region.
