The Lunenburg Hospital is one of those selected for the changes to emergency room procedures. There will be fewer doctors on staff but they will remain on call. The hospital in Lunenburg has had continuous problems staffing the emergency room. There are of course rumors about doctors living in Bridgewater and not wanting to work nights in a hospital 20 minutes away, there is a conspiracy theory and other pieces of incomplete or misinformation. But the fact remains things are changing.
Nova Scotia cannot afford to do the same old, for very much longer so changes are welcome. The concern is always that government ministers think things through before making changes that are difficult to reverse. For example over 10 years ago, the government of the day, decided to give regions more voice in health care and this was accomplished by creating more health authorities with the all the administration and expense that entails. We can't afford that type of top heavy system and now the work is underway to try and streamline and consolidate functions so they will be more cost effective.
Will it work? Only time will tell. But change is needed, care needs to improve and costs need to be kept affordable...well at least manageable.
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
A new Chance
The end of a year is always a time of reflection and sometimes there are regrets and sometimes there is the feeling of accomplishment. 2010 has been a hurry up and wait kind of year for my husband and I. First there was a scare that his cancer might have returned, so we hurried to get his blood work, only to wait on the results and specialist appointments. And we had good news, changes to the lab reporting system and changes to the labs were responsible for the changes in the numbers. A big sigh of relief.
And then the phone call to tell me my hip operation was scheduled. I had waited so long that I think I had forgotten there would actually be an operation. The feeling of relief to be within days of the operation was off set by the concerns of what could and might go wrong. Feelings of doubt and almost panic. But the sense of reason returned and off to the hospital I went and I had the operation in late September. I have mended well. With the help of a physiotherapist my walk is almost acceptable to my surgeon and I am feeling stronger and more confident every day. And no pain in the hip joint.
Now I wait for the knee replacement surgery that will probably take another 16 to 18 months for me to make my way up the waiting list.
This fall has been especially sad with the passing of several friends, relatives and neighbours. In the space of four short months, eight people that we knew or knew of passed away. Some were almost expected, although that doesn't make it easier for those left to mourn, some were shocks and completely unexpected. Unfortunately two were friends from our days in Manitoba so we didn't get the chance to pay our respects although our thoughts are with their families.
With the new year just hours away, I am filled with a feeling of anticipation. Much like a writer feels when looking at a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen. A clean slate that I can control what goes on it and what gets left off.
Our health care system is still limping along. There has been an announcement by the Provincial Govt that there will be changes to the ER's throughout the province. Early days yet, but hopefully the changes will increase the access to health care professionals which is so badly needed.
I have started another blog: http://toptensforbusinesses.blogspot.com/ It deals with lists of tips and pointers for small business owners or managers. Hopefully, it will be useful and informative.
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2011.
And then the phone call to tell me my hip operation was scheduled. I had waited so long that I think I had forgotten there would actually be an operation. The feeling of relief to be within days of the operation was off set by the concerns of what could and might go wrong. Feelings of doubt and almost panic. But the sense of reason returned and off to the hospital I went and I had the operation in late September. I have mended well. With the help of a physiotherapist my walk is almost acceptable to my surgeon and I am feeling stronger and more confident every day. And no pain in the hip joint.
Now I wait for the knee replacement surgery that will probably take another 16 to 18 months for me to make my way up the waiting list.
This fall has been especially sad with the passing of several friends, relatives and neighbours. In the space of four short months, eight people that we knew or knew of passed away. Some were almost expected, although that doesn't make it easier for those left to mourn, some were shocks and completely unexpected. Unfortunately two were friends from our days in Manitoba so we didn't get the chance to pay our respects although our thoughts are with their families.
With the new year just hours away, I am filled with a feeling of anticipation. Much like a writer feels when looking at a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen. A clean slate that I can control what goes on it and what gets left off.
Our health care system is still limping along. There has been an announcement by the Provincial Govt that there will be changes to the ER's throughout the province. Early days yet, but hopefully the changes will increase the access to health care professionals which is so badly needed.
I have started another blog: http://toptensforbusinesses.blogspot.com/ It deals with lists of tips and pointers for small business owners or managers. Hopefully, it will be useful and informative.
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2011.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
No time, no help
Yesterday, during a Christmas celebration, I heard a story that shook everyone there. One of the attendees shared a story about her mother's time in a nursing home...she had Alzheimer's Disease. The lady telling the story had been released from hospital after having a breast removed for Cancer and she was visiting her mother in the care facility. Her mother recognized her and as soon as she entered the room asked her daughter to help her to the bathroom. Because of the recent surgery her daughter couldn't help, but she went to the desk and asked for assistance...three times. Then she was told, "Tell her to use her diaper, that's what it is for".
This incident happened some time ago, and things MAY have changed...or not. I sincerely hope they have.
This incident happened some time ago, and things MAY have changed...or not. I sincerely hope they have.
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Very Least ...
I wish:
1. That all staff having interaction of any kind with patients have training in how to deal with patients with Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia. For example the 30 hour course that is available through the Alzheimer's Society ... as the very least level of training acceptable.
2. That the wait list...wait time be reduced significantly. We know that there are 6000+ beds for long term care in the province and we know that there are over 1200 on a waiting list to receive a bed. That is as of October 9th. That is unacceptable. Most reasonably intelligent adults in this country realize that the population is aging, that dementia and Alzheimer's are more prevalent in the elderly, and that there will be more demand for long term care in the immediately and foreseeable future. There are over 1200 families in crisis waiting for a safe, caring environment for their loved one. It is my understanding that there is currently only one individual in place to process applications for long term care beds. How can one individual do this on a timely basis? Maybe that is why it took from early June to early October for the application for Mr Williams to be admitted in a long term care facility to be processed and for him to be officially 'on the list'.
3. Home care support must be improved. Mr. Williams' widow was eligible for 40 hours of assistance each month to help with the home care of Mr Williams. That is almost an insult to a family that is dealing with the care of a loved one 24 hours each and every day. 10 hours a week really doesn't begin to address the problem.
4. The final aspect that demands immediate attention is the access to information and support services for the families. Yes there is currently a lot of information available, but when a family is struggling with the day to day business of living and caring for a loved one, they really don't have time to spend hours searching the internet or calling various agencies to see what services are available. A central clearing house of information (on the model of Cancer Care perhaps) needs to be established. A standard needs to be set and maintained.
Oh and are we, the tax payer, getting value for the billions of dollars being pumped into our health care system each and every year? What nasties lie under the rocks that are just waiting to be turned over?
1. That all staff having interaction of any kind with patients have training in how to deal with patients with Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia. For example the 30 hour course that is available through the Alzheimer's Society ... as the very least level of training acceptable.
2. That the wait list...wait time be reduced significantly. We know that there are 6000+ beds for long term care in the province and we know that there are over 1200 on a waiting list to receive a bed. That is as of October 9th. That is unacceptable. Most reasonably intelligent adults in this country realize that the population is aging, that dementia and Alzheimer's are more prevalent in the elderly, and that there will be more demand for long term care in the immediately and foreseeable future. There are over 1200 families in crisis waiting for a safe, caring environment for their loved one. It is my understanding that there is currently only one individual in place to process applications for long term care beds. How can one individual do this on a timely basis? Maybe that is why it took from early June to early October for the application for Mr Williams to be admitted in a long term care facility to be processed and for him to be officially 'on the list'.
3. Home care support must be improved. Mr. Williams' widow was eligible for 40 hours of assistance each month to help with the home care of Mr Williams. That is almost an insult to a family that is dealing with the care of a loved one 24 hours each and every day. 10 hours a week really doesn't begin to address the problem.
4. The final aspect that demands immediate attention is the access to information and support services for the families. Yes there is currently a lot of information available, but when a family is struggling with the day to day business of living and caring for a loved one, they really don't have time to spend hours searching the internet or calling various agencies to see what services are available. A central clearing house of information (on the model of Cancer Care perhaps) needs to be established. A standard needs to be set and maintained.
Oh and are we, the tax payer, getting value for the billions of dollars being pumped into our health care system each and every year? What nasties lie under the rocks that are just waiting to be turned over?
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