Concerns rise over patient care and wait times after West Island clinics close

Clinic closures strain Brunswick Medical Centre The closure of Statcare and Pierrefonds clinics has raised concerns about patient care and longer wait times at Brunswick Medical Centre.

Brunswick Medical Centre in Pointe-Claire is now the new home for patients from two shuttered clinics.

Statcare Emergency Clinic just three kilometres away served 20,000 people per year and many of them aren’t happy about the move.

One woman told CTV News, she relied on Statcare for x-rays and exams before it officially closed on Dec. 31.

“When you [become a] senior citizen, it’s very difficult to get appointment, to get good care.”

And Brunswick’s patients are worried that more pressure on their clinic could mean longer wait times.

Another ELNA facility in Pierrefonds has also shut down. Both clinics offered walk-in services, which patients say is becoming rare in the West Island.

A spokesperson for ELNA medical group told CTV News that 12 additional physicians have joined the team at Brunswick to ensure a seamless transition, but sources say it’s been far from that.

A long-time staff member at Statcare, who was fired in December, reached out to CTV News.

Speaking anonymously, the former employee said the closure has been catastrophic for the community in the West Island and added that ELNA Medical has not ensured patients’ continuity of care.

Additionally, the source said that just two doctors from Statcare were transferred to Brunswick and noted that the clinic’s clerical staff and nurses were let go without being offered positions.

Brunswick health’s group’s president, Vince Trevisonno confirmed the information to CTV News.

Moreover, he said that only two Statcare doctors accepted positions. He said 10 were transferred from ELNA Pierrefonds. Six of the physicians are family doctors while two others are OBGYNs, and the rest are general surgeons.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for ELNA clarified that four more doctors have already been added to Brunswick’s minor urgent care clinic to increase capacity.

All the new nurses and clerical staff are from ELNA Pierrefonds.

Trevisonno explained it was the doctors’ responsibility to make sure their patients are taken care. He also said he is hiring more physicians to bolster walk-in services.

Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas said Statcare’s proximity to Lakeshore General Hospital was a big benefit.

“People could go there and transfer over to the hospital and vice versa, the location was much better where it was.”

The regional health authority told CTV News there hasn’t been a significant increase in patients at the Lakeshore General emergency room related to Statcare’s closure.