Santé Québec has confirmed that the Digital Health Record (DSN) deployment, initially postponed in October, is set to take place on May 9, 2026. The pilot projects, originally scheduled for this fall in CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal and Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec, will kick off the initiative.
The delay in the project, as explained by Santé Québec, was necessary to ensure all conditions were in place for the successful implementation of this significant digital transformation, rather than due to cost overruns.
Following the announcement of the postponement, concerns were raised by opposition parties about potential parallels to past fiascos, like SAAQclic, due to cost issues. The Quebec Liberal Party even urged the National Assembly’s Health and Social Services Committee to scrutinize the management of digital transformation in healthcare.
Initially estimated to cost $307 million, the project’s current estimated cost stands at $402 million, with $279 million already expended. The project is reported to be 76% complete, with the government highlighting the DSN’s transformative impact on healthcare practices and patient safety, moving away from traditional systems to a more efficient digital platform.
In a recent press release, Erika Bially, Vice-President of Information Technology at Santé Québec, emphasized that the adjustment period was utilized to enhance design and configuration work, consolidate clinical content, and ensure a successful deployment by aligning with operational realities.
