Are Quebec hospitals ready for another pandemic? Looking back at COVID-19, five years later

As Quebec marks five years since its first COVID-19 case, health experts warn the province remains vulnerable to future pandemics.

This is part three of a CTV News Montreal special report this week done in collaboration with Noovo Info to explore the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Part 1: COVID-19, five years later: 2 Quebec companies preparing for next pandemic
• Part 2: COVID-19 remains an issue for minors at the Montreal Children’s Hospital

On this day, five years ago, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Quebec.

Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital was one of Montreal’s dedicated COVID-19 centres, with outbreaks overwhelming its facilities, cancelling surgeries and exacerbating staff shortages.

Looking back, the head of its ICU says the pandemic highlighted how critical it is for hospitals to be fully staffed at all times.

• READ MORE: Montreal study describes COVID-19 health measures as ‘generally effective’

“There were a lot of patients, not enough people to take care of them,” says Critical Care Chief Dr. Francois Marquis.

At least six of the 26 ICU beds at the hospital were closed in mid-February as there weren’t enough nurses to open them around the clock.

Shortages were also a problem during the pandemic.

Marquis says the lack of space and staff puts the province at a disadvantage, but the experience has prepared hospitals for the future.

“I would say that we would be ready to optimize in a faster way,” he adds.

According to Quebec Association of Emergency Medicine Specialists President, Dr. Gilbert Boucher, Quebec’s emergency rooms are dealing with similar challenges.

“The emergency system, tomorrow morning, we couldn’t take the influx of a lot more patients, but hopefully, in the next few weeks, we could mount a response for sure,” he said, adding that at the start of the pandemic, there was a disconnect between frontline workers on the ground and decision-makers.

“Sometimes, we had to use the television to pass on the message because there was no answer,” Boucher said. “Now, the channels are much better open. We can discuss things, and we’re having meetings every two or three days right now with the influenza season.”

• READ MORE: Senneville man dealing with long COVID says health-care system has let him down

Epidemiologist Nima Machouf says she’s skeptical the province has made enough progress in the last five years.

She points out that ventilation in government buildings and schools is subpar, and more privatization worries her.

“The principle of the private system is to make money,” Machouf said. “The duty of the public [system] is to preserve the health of the population.”

She adds Quebec was caught off guard.

“They didn’t take it seriously I think, at the beginning,” Machouf notes.

Quebec’s public health director, Dr. Luc Boileau, admits the province was under-prepared for COVID-19.

“I think that we are much more prepared,” Boileau said. “At that time, we were not expecting something like that to happen as dramatically as it happened.”

Boileau promised a provincial pandemic plan by 2025, but as of Feb. 27, it hasn’t been published.

He says the arrival of Santé Québec and a new division of duties has led to delays.

“It should be certainly ready in a few weeks or couple months from now,” Boileau said.

• READ MORE: Quebec government has only recouped about one-third of pandemic-era fines so far

The health agency is currently working to cut $1.5 billion in spending as medical institutions across the province grapple with staffing shortages.

Health authorities have reportedly eliminated hundreds of their job postings for nurses.

“The lowering of capacity, financial capacity, is something true,” Boileau said. “But we expect Santé Québec to cope with this particular important situation and make sure the health care system will still be very strong.”

He adds the province is staying vigilant, watching out for avian flu and a new coronavirus found in bats, which is sparking some concerns.

The director says preventing another crisis will depend on ensuring we don’t forget the lessons learned.