Quebec places 3 Montreal-area long-term care homes under provisional administration

The Quebec government put three long-term care homes in the Montreal area under provisional administration Tuesday due to an alleged failure to meet the needs of residents.

The affected facilities, all under the CHSLD Argyle umbrella, are located in Longueuil, Pointe-Claire and Saint-Lambert. They will be managed by health agencies in Montreal and on the South Shore.

Sandra Morellato's mother has been staying in the Saint-Lambert facility. She is diabetic, but sometimes misses meals because she doesn't make it to the dining area.

"Baths are once a week. I asked if I could pay for more and they said there's a lack of staff," she said.

In a news release, Quebec's minister responsible for seniors, Sonia Bélanger, said the Ministry of Health has been providing support to CHSLD Argyle where the administration has been unable to achieve and maintain the expected standards.

Bélanger's office cited the following shortcomings observed in the CHSLD Argyle facilities to Radio-Canada:

"The situation at CHSLD Argyle is concerning," said Bélanger in the news release. "The government will make no compromises on the health, safety and the well-being of patients."

The CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal is taking over the facility in Pointe-Claire. A spokesperson for the agency, Hélène Bergeron-Gamache, said their goal is to work closely with the operator and employees, to accompany and support them so they can resume full management.

"We are addressing gaps in hygiene and sanitation, support provided during meals and personalized care and services," she said.

The provisional administration can last up to 180 days, and can be extended if necessary. Quebec's Health Ministry says it has tried to work with Argyle in the past, but it has had trouble maintaining the changes put in place. 

Paul Brunet, chair of the Quebec Council for the Protection of Patients, said the fact that the CIUSSS is taking over management means something serious is going on.

He said a lot of it comes down to the employees and the "values and care that they have for patients. Some of them are very good. Some of them should not be working in that kind of field."