Dear Editor,
Two weeks ago I had a heart attack and I would just like to tell you a little about my experience.
After dialing 911 — three EMT ladies arrived and after stabilizing me, took me to the Royal Alexandra Cardiac Unit in Edmonton.
There I received treatment from a cardiac doctor, nurses and the rest of the medical team that inserted stints in my heart that was professional and courteous — I knew I was in the best place possible.
After four days the cardiologist said he would release me on the condition I go see my family doctor. Herein lies the rub . . . I don’t have one, the doctor I last saw had just recently moved away and because I try not to go unless something is beyond my scope (I can take care of a minor cold or scrape) visits are far between.
OK — so I named a physician at a clinic and all my files were transferred out to them. The next day, pills in hand and instructions from Edmonton I went to the clinic. First I was told that the doctor I named was not taking on any new patients nor anyone else in that clinic. So I asked for advice as to what I was supposed to do and was told to either go to the other clinic in town or to inquire in other areas outside of Barrhead. Really.
I realize that the days when doctors like Dr. Horner and Dr. Morris would make house calls or Dr. Lalji might come pick you up if you didn’t have a ride to the hospital are in the past but when did medicine become such a big business that the human side gets lost?
Just how far have we regressed since T.C. (Tommy) Douglas introduced Medicare in 1962 in Saskatchewan that quickly spread across the rest of Canada?
I don’t pretend to know but it seems to me that the real reason Barrhead has a lack of doctors all stems from Alberta Health Services. Do they have a limit on the number of doctors allowed to practice in Alberta? Are their restrictions so stringent that no one can pass them?
To say I was disappointed in our system is an understatement. I am more than grateful for the care I received but whatever it takes to get more doctors in our area before the dedicated ones we have become burnt out or move on should be a top priority.
We need our voices heard and perhaps that should begin with our local MLA Glenn van Dijken — he is our representative. Contact him.
Marion Properzi
Barrhead
