Strike action by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE): Vitalité Health Network continues to monitor the situation and adjust its service delivery

Vitalité Health Network, Tuesday, November 4, 2021

Vitalité Health Network has been monitoring the situation very closely since the strike by its CUPE members began.  For now, the situation is stable in all the Network’s facilities.  

The Network is doing everything in its power to reduce the impact of this labour dispute on patient care, which remains the priority. Service delivery is being reduced based on local circumstances and capabilities. 

Affected Services

The following services were affected on November 4, 2021:

  • 679 patient appointments or procedures cancelled
  • 90 surgeries cancelled
  • Inpatient care: Care and services provided to inpatients are maintained in all our hospitals.
  • Emergency departments: All emergency rooms are open.
  • Surgical services: Reduced activities.
  • Ambulatory care services: Reduced activities.
  • Oncology and Hemodialysis services: Services are maintained.
  • Professional services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, nutrition, respiratory therapy, etc.): Reduced activities.
  • Imaging services (x-rays, scans, etc.): Reduced activities.
  • Phlebotomy (bloodwork): Patients whose case is not urgent or who can wait are asked not to come to the hospital for their bloodwork.
  • COVID-19 vaccination clinics: Offered as scheduled; check our website and social media platforms often for updates.
  • Rapid-test kit pick-up sites: Some sites may be closed. Check our website and social media platforms before going to a site to pick up a kit.
  • Visitors: Visits are prohibited in all our hospitals, except for some exceptions that will be allowed on a case-by-case basis for designated support persons.

Patients who have an appointment may present for their appointment at the scheduled date and time. The Network will contact the patients whose appointment must be postponed.

Expect delays entering facilities. The Network would also like to remind the public of the importance of following physical distancing guidelines while waiting in line and once inside its facilities.

The Network is evaluating the impact of the labour dispute on its service delivery on an ongoing basis and will inform the public of any changes. The Network is committed to providing essential health care services to its patients and clients for the entire duration of the strike.

Vitalité Health Network thanks patients, their families, and the public for being understanding and patient. Our priority remains to provide safe, quality care.