Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge: Facility set to reopen gradually

Moncton, Thursday, June 18, 2020 – Vitalité Health Network is pleased to announce that the Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge, which houses patients being treated at the Dr. Léon Richard Oncology Centre, is set to reopen gradually. The lodge temporarily closed at the end of March due to the pandemic.

The Oncology Centre must nevertheless follow the provincial directives concerning visitors, physical distancing, mask usage, common areas, frequent handwashing and all other required preventive measures. A wing will be reserved for patients requiring preventive isolation, such as those originating from a zone in the “orange” phase. To reduce the risk of transmission, patients at the lodge must remain there on weekends (i.e. they will not be allowed to return home).

“We must adjust and modify our services to maintain quality as well as patient safety. We are aware that these directives involve certain restrictions; however, we want patients to receive the best possible care and must therefore minimize the risk of spread,” stated Gisèle Bourque, Director of Oncology Services for Vitalité Health Network.  “This gradual reopening will allow us to house patients who live over two hours’ drive from Moncton. We strongly encourage patients who live less than two hours from Moncton to do round trips or to stay with a family member or friend living near the centre in order to reduce the amount of contact,” she added.

Ms. Bourque also emphasized the generous contribution made by the Tree of Hope through the CHU Dumont Foundation during the closure. “It’s thanks to the Tree of Hope that we have been able to provide patients from remote areas with funding for hotels stays and private drivers for travel to their appointments. This generous contribution has allowed patients from New Brunswick and throughout the Atlantic region to receive specialized and uninterrupted care since the start of the pandemic,” she concluded.

From left to right: Siméon Blanchard, patient; Gisèle Bourque, Director of Oncology Services for Vitalité Health Network; Claude Drapeau, Receptionist, Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge; Laudina Comeau-Cannon, Receptionist, Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge; and Isabelle LaPlante, Manager, Mgr. Henri-Cormier Lodge