Montreal doctor fights to keep Lachine gynecology clinic open

A Montreal doctor was in court Monday morning asking for an injunction to prevent the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) from closing the Lachine Hospital's gynecologyclinic.

Dr. Paul Saba, president of the council of physicians at the hospital, has made the casethat patients weren'tgiven sufficient time to find new doctors.

About three weeks ago, the MUHC announced theclinic would closeApril 1.

Sabateamed up with two other doctors and two patients in filing the injunction. A decision is expected to come down on Tuesday afternoon.

The 15-year-old gynecology clinic is avital service for patients in the Lachine area, Saba said.

The injunction request is a final effort to save the clinic, where about 700 appointments for gynecological services are made each year

"It's essential," he told CBC last month. "Especially for the women of our Lachine/Dorval area, and for the whole of Montreal island."

Decision dates back to 2014, MUHC says

Dr. Ewa Sidorowicz, director of professional services at the MUHC, said the decision to shut down the clinic is nothing new.

The decision to transfer gynecological services to the LaSalle Hospital was made in 2014, she said in an emailed statement.

She said the MUHC'ssenior management "worked diligently" with the health minister and local health authoritiesto "carefully evaluate the situation before finally adopting this solution."

"One of the main priorities of the Lachine Hospital is to develop a comprehensive men's health program to complement the women's health program currently offered by the CSSS Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle," she said.

"The transfer of gynecology and colposcopy services to LaSalle Hospital will allow both institutions to focus on their respective missions and continue to provide the highest possible care to patients."

The gynecology services were only provided two days per month at the Lachine Hospital, Sidorowiczsaid, and the last clinic was offered on March 26. No further clinics are planned, she added.

"We're working with LaSalle Hospital to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of care for all patients," she said.