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Gatineau Hospitals Face Critical Surgeon Shortage
31 Oct
Summary
- Gatineau surgeon has over 120 patients on waiting list.
- Operating room availability reduced to two days monthly.
- Shortage stems from retirements and unfilled nursing positions.
A general surgeon in Gatineau, Quebec, has sounded the alarm over a critical staff shortage within the region's hospitals. Dr. Maxime Guieu, who leads the general surgery department at Santé Québec Outaouais, stated that as of October 2026, he has accumulated a waiting list exceeding 120 patients.
Operating room availability has plummeted, with only two days per month currently allocated for surgeries in Gatineau and Buckingham. While contingency measures allow for occasional surgeries in Hull for oncology cases, Guieu noted this is insufficient. The ideal wait time for oncology patients is one month, but current circumstances force a three-month wait, which he deems unacceptable.
Marc Bilodeau, CEO of Santé Québec Outaouais, acknowledged the immense pressure on medical teams. He cited retirements and a shortage of nursing staff and anesthesia specialists as key factors. Specifically, the Gatineau operating room has a deficit of 22 nurses, leaving more than half of its positions unfilled. Bilodeau confirmed that financial mechanisms are in place to recruit external specialists.
