MUHC Shuts Down Blood Test Phone Line, Goes Online

0:00The McGill University Health Center is shutting down its phone line for booking blood tests, forcing everyone to use the online Clissy Santa system. Instead, they're blaming a labor shortage and budget issues for the move, which hits hospitals like the Royal Victoria, Montreal Children's, and Montreal. General, plus others in their OptiLab network, such as Jewish General and Lakeshore. Earlier this week, callers to the line are already heard an automated message pushing them all mine, even though the full cutoff isn't set until May 1, 2026. An internal email laid out the plan, saying they'll use voicemails and QR codes at clinics to smooth the switch and free up staff for other tasks. Patient advocates are fired up, especially the head of the users' committee who says this lands older folks without internet or text skills, leaving. Them stuck while online spots fill up weeks ahead. Critics point out private labs offer quick, same-day slots for a fee, but the public system feels clunky. MUHC spokespeople defend it as a way to cut phone

1:02wait times and overall delays, with marginal savings and plans to help seniors through local clinics, and nearby services. They stress redepoint those phone workers will speed up care for everyone. This comes after they tighten blood test access less than two years back, limiting it to their own patients, so keep an eye on how this online only. Shift shakes out from Montreal's healthcare grind. I'm Corey with The Story. That's your Canada News Today update. AI-powered?