A Montreal woman is upset after a paramedic refused to speak English during a medical emergency
Montreal: A woman named Lana Mastromonaco is sharing her experience after a paramedic in Côte-Saint-Luc allegedly told her, “We’re in Quebec, we speak French.” This happened while she was helping her friend’s elderly mother during a medical emergency.
Lana was trying to get clarification in English about taking the patient to the Jewish General Hospital. She understood most of the conversation in French but hit a wall when she needed more details. When she asked the paramedic to explain in English, the response was dismissive.
She felt angry about the situation, especially since she had heard similar stories before. Nancy Benabou Librati, the patient’s daughter, was there too and quickly tried to record the incident on her phone. She was concerned about the language issue, especially since they were in an area with many English speakers.
Nancy pointed out that the paramedic’s comment was inappropriate, especially in a community where English is commonly spoken. She worried about what might happen if someone else needed help and faced the same refusal to communicate in English.
In response, Urgences-santé stated that paramedics must prioritize patient confidentiality and focus on the patient’s needs. However, Nancy argued that they didn’t recognize Lana as part of the family, which she clearly was during the emergency.
Both women are now seeking an apology for the paramedic’s behavior. They’ve reached out to their local MP and are determined to make their voices heard. Lana emphasized that while she doesn’t mind speaking French, it’s crucial to communicate in a language everyone understands, especially in medical situations.
