An open letter from Lucie Tremblay, Director of Nursing at CIUSSS West-Central Montreal
The merger of several establishments into the Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS) gave us a new responsibility: Satisfying people’s needs in health and social services within their territory.
This means dealing with a population whose socio-economic profile is very diverse. At times, we’re called upon to do community outreach with a vulnerable clientele. We take steps proactively to lower congestion in hospital emergency departments and, as a result, minimize avoidable admissions into various health units.
This approach also applies to our responsibilities in the field of civil security. Quebec’s social and health network plays a major role in the event of disasters, natural or technological catastrophes, attacks, migration movements and other reasons. As you are no doubt aware, climate change will bring more and more challenges in the coming years, and we will have to confront them with resolve.
In an attempt to be proactive, our CIUSSS has set up voluntary teams (though not volunteers!) to intervene in the community in the event of disasters. One of the teams is made up of nursing staff who can be sent to various sites within our territory, or to support other Montreal establishments. These nurses act in a voluntary capacity and get training in civil security and emergency intervention in the event of disasters and catastrophes, as well as training in stress management. This training is given by local or external authorities, free of charge. Working conditions during deployment have been negotiated with the appropriate labour unions.
Whatever your workplace, your area of expertise or your professional experience, you are welcome to join the nursing intervention team in the community. If you’re looking for new challenges off the beaten path, I encourage you personally to join this dynamic team. You’ll be in a position to demonstrate your clinical leadership and support our CIUSSS in the area of civil security. You’ll see, it’s one of the most enriching experiences!
If you want to get off the beaten path, here’s your chance!
For more information, or to join the team, contact Christian Samoisette, at the following address: christian.samoisette.dlm@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
