HEALTH. Some vaccination and screening centers, set up during the pandemic, remain visible in our communities. They are gradually being transformed into local service points (PSL) in order to offer more health support to the population.
“These centers had responded well to the health emergency of the pandemic. In November 2022, the Ministry of Health was seeking new directions for these temporary structures. The objective was to relieve congestion in the health system by centralizing certain services, because there was a lack of space in the current buildings,” says Sandra Morin, director of vaccination and screening at the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of Chaudière-Appalaches.
The CISSS maintains five PSLs in Saint-Georges, Sainte-Marie, Thetford, Lévis and Montmagny. A sixth permanent site will be added in Lévis next winter. Currently, one can receive vaccines against Covid-19, influenza and shingles, as well as undergo viral screening tests, detection of Streptococcus A and blood tests. Elsewhere in Quebec, these centers helped, among other things, to contain epidemics of measles and monkeypox.
“Just for streptococcus, we are talking about 2,500 tests since December 23 (date of implementation of the service in Chaudière-Appalaches). The epidemic has been strong among young families. When people could not access a medical clinic or a pharmacist, they made an appointment for free in our PSLs,” mentions Cary Paquet, site manager for the Beauce-Etchemins sector.
Colorectal cancer
Last February, the PSL began offering free tests related to the detection of colorectal cancer. Visitors have access to a Fecal Occult Blood Immunochemical Test (FOBT) kit, instead of going through the hospital or medical clinic.
“People aged 50 to 74 make an appointment on Clic Santé or call the PSL. We do an online assessment and they receive their prescription without going to a doctor. The kit is available at the CLSC closest to their home and must be returned to the same place for laboratory analysis,” explains Ms. Paquet, recalling that colorectal cancer is the second cause of cancer death in men and the third among women in Quebec.
Adjustable and scalable structures
At the time of writing, the CISSS was calling for tenders to keep the PSLs in their current locations or move them to other rental buildings. Regardless of the options chosen, they will maintain the aspect of adjustability with open areas and removable walls.
“We want to respond quickly to any crisis, such as another pandemic or a natural disaster. These buildings will have to meet the standards (Ministry of Health) for five-year leases,” specifies Ms. Morin.
Other services will be implemented in the medium term in all six points. “PSLs represent a complementary offering to CLSCs, GMFs (Family Medicine Groups) and hospitals as a local service. The staff consists, for the moment, of healthy retired employees. The CISSS is continuously recruiting new employees,” concludes Sandra Morin.
