The McGill University Hospital Centre (MUHC) Employees’ Union (CSN) warned of confusion ahead of a hospital move happening April 26, which is when Royal Victoria Hospital patients will relocate to the new Glen site facility.

To better serve patients, several of the MUHC’s services and hospitals are moving starting this spring. Montreal Children’s Hospital patients will also relocate to the Glen, on May 24. Patients from Montreal Chest Institute, as well as some patients from Montreal General Hospital, will relocate to the Glen on June 14.

In an April 9 news release, CSN cited a lack of training, contradictory instructions, incomplete information and improvisation in calling on senior managers and middle management to work together to ensure a smooth move.

“We need this to work,” said Paul Thomas, president of the MUHC Employees’ Union (CSN). “But we have seen different messages between different levels of management.”

Mary Ann Davis, secretary-general of MUHCEU, noted that clerical employees are facing frustrated patients whose questions can’t be answered due to a lack of instruction on work methods after the move.

“What floor do they go to for imaging? Where is the equipment? Where is the photocopier?” said Davis.

Questions remain despite staff receiving a general orientation in the new facilities, said Thomas, which he attributed to “what appears to be resistance from middle management.”

“Some people are not engaged in this process,” he said. “But we need to know how this is going to work. The stakes are too high.”

Joanne Brodeur, director of human resources, MUHC, told Global News that employees will be provided with all essential information at the right time.

“Are we where we’re supposed to be? Yes,” said Brodeur. “Are we moving the 26 of April? Yes.”