Situation in the Emergency Departments – Launch of the “One Call, One Service” initiative

At a press briefing, Health Minister Christian Dubé, accompanied by the coordinator of the crisis cell, Daniel Desharnais, and the province’s Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Lucie Opatrny, announced that the first solutions recommended by the crisis cell to reduce short-term overflow in emergency rooms have been implemented or are in the process of being deployed.

Among the first new measures that are being implemented immediately to give Quebec’s emergency departments more flexibility is the “One Call, One Service” initiative, which aims to provide better access to first line care, avoiding the need for an emergency room visit. This solution is already helping to improve the services offered by the Info-Santé 811 line, particularly for young people aged 0 to 17.

In the Greater Montreal area, if a need for consultation is confirmed, the patient will be directly transferred to a call centre that will guide him or her to the right resources to obtain service from a doctor, pharmacist or nurse. The government is already working on developing this new service across Quebec. In addition, pediatric clinics are committed to extending their hours of operation in the evening and on weekends to facilitate the care of children.