Since January 1, 2008, the “specialized medical centres” provided for in the Act to amend the Act respecting health and social services and other legislative provisions are part of our healthcare system. They were created in response to  the Supreme Court’s decision in the Chaoulli case in which it was decided, by a majority, that because of the waiting lists, the prohibition against having private insurance for services insured by the plan was contrary to the rights to life, liberty and security guaranteed by the Charters.

“Specialized medical centres” are midway between a “private professional practice” and an “institution”. Let us begin by examining the principal characteristics of a specialized medical centre and its interaction with a healthcare network institution that operates a hospital centre.