Intimidation in Saint-Quentin: appeal for calm

Saint-Quentin, Wednesday, June 13, 2018 – Statement from Gilles Lanteigne, President and CEO of Vitalité Health Network.

“I was saddened to find out that employees of the Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Joseph de Saint-Quentin were intimidated this morning upon arriving to work. Approximately twenty people were gathered at the staff entrance and were asking employees to state their names, positions, duties, etc.

According to an employee involved in the events, some of those present were attempting to identify the nurse who was supposed to provide chemotherapy treatments today to ask her questions. For the safety of patients and the staff, the police were called on the scene. Later on, a police officer asked the people to leave, otherwise the staff would not be able to provide chemotherapy services to patients. The group left the premises and the treatments could be provided, but slightly behind schedule.

Therefore, I urge citizens committees, including the Comité permanent des soins de santé de Saint-Quentin and the Comité d’action citoyenne du Restigouche Ouest, to issue an appeal for calm and to immediately stop putting our patients and staff in such unacceptable situations. Our employees and patients should not have to be put on the spot.

Physical and verbal intimidation, whether in person or online, directed at anyone working within our walls, are unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. This is our final warning. Should another similar incident occur, we will be forced to take the necessary legal action to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

It is through dialogue that we will be able to continue to improve care in the community.

Finally, I would like to thank our employees for their remarkable work and to extend my apologies to our patients who had their care disrupted this morning. I reiterate that they have management’s full support. To all our employees, thank you for being there for our patients.”