Exemplary collaboration between the MUHC and the CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Launched in 2017, the exceptional collaboration between the MUHC and the CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (CIUSSSAT) as part of the RUISSS McGill was showered with praise and a prestigious award from the Programme québécois de cancérologie in the category « Organisation des services » (Organisation of Services).

Visionary project

This visionary project, entitled Collaborating to better serve the regions: a radiation oncology centre in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, has enabled the MUHC to establish solid, lasting ties with the Rouyn-Noranda Hospital’s radio-oncology centre. The MUHC played a leading role in the clinical design, the training of professionals, service continuity planning, and the development of a contingency plan. Thanks to such exemplary cooperation, an essential service corridor has also been set up to compensate for any disruption to radiotherapy services.

Acute needs

With a population of 150,000 in a remote region of Quebec, the need for specialised healthcare was acute. Before the centre opened, patients had to travel long distances to Gatineau or Montreal to access vital treatments. This unprecedented collaboration has resulted in the Rouyn-Noranda centre becoming a model of success.

Cutting-edge technologies

Featuring the most advanced technologies including a linear accelerator (LINAC) and a CT scanner, supported by a state-of-the-art treatment planning system as well as integrated information interfaces, the centre can treat up to 600 patients each year. Already, 658 patients were treated from 2023 to 2024.

“Many thanks to the entire MUHC team for all their support. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project a reality. Let’s keep up the good work that makes all the difference in the lives of our patients and their families,” said Georges Makdessi, Chief Medical Physicist of the Regional Radiation Oncology Centre.

Dr. Tarek Hijal, radio-oncologist at Cedars Cancer Centre, also expressed how pleased he was with this project: “It gives the people of Abitibi-Témiscamingue local access to radiotherapy. In turn, this has increased the rate of radiotherapy use, which was previously low, because it was difficult for people to travel outside the region for treatment.”

William Parker, Chief of Medical Physics in the MUHC Cancer Care Mission who was involved in the project from its beginnings, confided that he was very proud of the collaborative efforts between the MUHC and the CIUSSSAT: “I’ve been personally involved in the project since 2018 and I’m very happy to see this community have access to radiation oncology services. The collaboration is complete — from conceptualisation, staff training, opening plan, to technical and medical support. An incredible project.”

For Christine Bouchard, Associate Director of the MUHC Cancer Care Mission, “this project places the region’s oncology patients at the heart of our concerns! We need to continue our efforts to make access to specialized care more equitable, and here is a wonderful example!”

Congratulations to the entire MUHC radiation oncology team, who continues to play a leading role in cancer treatment and the transformation of healthcare in Quebec.