Nurses' union FIQ says Quebecers burning up complaint hotline

The federation of labour unions representing Quebec nurses and other health-care workers says it's heard from thousands of people since setting up an anonymous complaint hotline three weeks ago.

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The Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la Santé du Québec (FIQ), which represents 65,000 health-care workers across the province, set up the hotline to collect stories of health-care system woes. It plans to to compile and present those complaints to the health ministry. 

In all, the union said it heard from 2,136 people via email or telephone between Aug. 24 and Sept. 11.

Federation president Régine Laurent said 42 percent of the complaints FIQ received were about accessibility to care. It also heard concerns about safety and quality of care.

Laurent highlighted one call from a worried nurse who said on a night shift, she has to care for as many as 170 patients by herself.

The union also heard from family members of patients in long-term care homes concerned about the quality of care.

 Laurent said the tips should be a signal to the Couillard government to reverse its cuts to health-care budgets.

1-844-FIQ-AIDE by the numbers

• 2,136 people called or emailed in with comments between Aug. 24 and Sept. 11.
• 42 percent of complaints touched on accessibility to care.
• 16 percent complained about safety and quality of care.
• 12 percent pointed out possible negative impacts of health-care reforms planned by the government.