Medical imaging services halted at western Quebec health facility

Western Quebec's health authority has temporarily halted medical imaging services in one of the region'scommunitiesdue to a shortage of technologists.

Services will be paused at theCLSC Petite-Nation in Saint-Andr-Avellin, Que., from today until Nov. 20, according to theCentre intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais(CISSSO).

During that time, patients with the most urgent needs will betransferred to the medical imaging department at the Papineau Hospital, approximately 40 kilometres away,CISSSO said.

With roughly 40 per cent of the medical imaging positions within CISSSO currently unfilled, thesituation is "fragile," saidZied Ouechteti, deputy director of diagnostic services with the health authority.

• Inside ERs at a breaking point, staff provide care while juggling shortages and closures

• Mom raises red flag over staff shortage at Kingston hospital

"It is so critical that if an employee takes vacation or goes sick, we have to reorganize the services we offer," Ouechteti told Radio-Canada in a French-language interview.

"The shortage is everywhere, but specifically in medical imaging and more specifically at CISSSO."

The decision to pause services comes roughly a week after imaging appointmentswere briefly halted at the Pontiac Hospital in Shawville, Que., whena scanner broke down.

Saint-Andr-Avellinis roughly 80 kilometres northeast of downtown Ottawa.