Recently I had a health crisis that required calling an ambulance and going to the emergency department of the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
I was so impressed when both the ambulance attendants and members of the fire department arrived at my door within minutes. The duplication was unnecessary and the firemen left soon. The medics were calm, pleasant and professional, checking my vitals and making sure I wasn’t having a stroke.
When we arrived at RJH I was appalled to see a sign stating to expect a nine-hour wait. After a 30-year career as a physiotherapist, I knew how important it was for treatment to be administered in a timely fashion. This was definitely not it.
I watched as the depleted staff scrambled to care for the crowded room and wondered how they managed to keep up their morale and come to work in this environment every day. Once I was seen by various staff I was so impressed with their caring manner and professionalism. A diagnosis was soon made, the appropriate drugs started and within 15 hours I was able to go home with the help of family.
What an eye-opener that day was! We now have a perfect storm of aging boomers and a broken health-care system in urgent need of repair.
Kit Filan
Oak Bay
