Health professionals in the east of Montreal being compensated less for home visits

For the past month, Saint-Leonard CLSC nutritionist and dietitian Sylvain Savoie has been taking the bus to patients homes instead of driving his car because he is being compensated less than before.

He says his commute is about double the time and as a result, he sees fewer patients every day.

“So one or two [patients], before it could be three or four,” said Savoie.

The CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal sent a letter to Savoie earlier this year. It states starting March 31, “the use of a personal vehicle is no longer a requirement related to your position.”

The measure affects roughly 350 employees working as dietitians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists who offer home visits.

The union representing these employees says if they continue to use their car for work, they will be compensated less than before. Now, parking is not covered and they will not get reimbursed for their car insurance premium.

“They can still decide to take their own vehicles. So they will be paying to work in a sense,” said Sonia Bureau, VP of the Union for Technicians and Professionals with the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

Bureau says the regional health authority told her this measure would save $200,000 dollars per year. However, if employees take the bus, heavier items are sent by taxi at a cost of $50 per trip.

Quebec Council for Patients’ Rights president Paul Brunet says its penny pinching at the expense of patients, instead of real cost saving measures like cutting managers.

“The government of Quebec has hired more than 4,000 managers in the past five years in the health system,” said Brunet.

The CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal declined CTV News’ interview request, but in a statement it said, “Any employee whose job title no longer states ‘vehicle required’ may continue to use his or her personal car, and will be reimbursed on the basis of actual mileage driven.” Adding, “these changes have no impact on public care and services.”

Savoie argues that it does impact patient care, especially if he spends more time commuting and less time with people who need his help.