Montreal’s Douglas hospital in disrepair, faces overcrowding and infrastructure failures

Another Montreal hospital is in need of major repairs due to its dilapidated state.

According to Dr. Gustavo Turecki, the psychiatrist-in-chief at the West Island health authority, the Douglas Mental Health University Institute is facing numerous infrastructure challenges, including overcrowded units, animal infestations, and a lack of air conditioning in the summer.

“Unfortunately, the facility has not been maintained, or investments have not been made so that the facility at the hospital would be appropriate for what we need and for what patients need to be treated properly,” Turecki said in a recent interview.

In Santé Québec’s most recent infrastructure report, many of the hospital’s buildings received ratings of “D” or “E.”

Turecki added that even the institute’s outpatient services and research infrastructure are in dire need of updates and improvements.

“We have major problems. We have equipment that is very expensive in rooms where rain leaks in and many times, we have pipes that burst in winter. We have flooding. And so, it’s really very challenging to work here,” he said.

The Douglas was founded in 1881. In 1946, the hospital became affiliated with McGill University, and according to its website, it is now considered a world-class mental health research centre.

Turecki noted that the government has been aware of problems at the Douglas for nearly 20 years now.

“But we always have the impression that we are not really the priority. That psychiatry, mental health, is not the priority, and that we are always sort of put behind.”

Charles-Albert Morin, a patient and patient advocate at the Douglas, said the situation at the hospital is “alarming” and emphasized the desperate need for investments.

“We need a vision where this idea of a sanctuary is being implemented in concrete terms. We need single rooms, as much as possible, showers that are individual.”

Currently, some patients at the hospital are sharing accommodations with very little space between the beds and virtually no privacy.

In a statement, Santé Québec said improving infrastructures across the province was a “priority” for the agency.

“We are still awaiting indications from the Quebec government regarding the Quebec Infrastructure Plan. We reserve our comments at this stage.”