Are We Safe?

PETER WALSH The Telegram: Medical exodus looming Mistakes are going to be made, specialists say:

The above story is a must read in it's entirety, albeit a scary one, and basically one dismissed by government.

An 18-member group of medical specialists at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's says the recent resignation of the province's only infectious disease specialist is a major blow to the provincial health-care system, and could be the first of several devastating resignations soon to come from within their ranks.

The group blames foot-dragging by the Williams administration over wage increases it says are needed now to attract more specialists and prevent an exodus that has already started with the recent resignation Dr. Mazen Bader.

"Hospital-acquired infections are a big thing," said general internist Dr. Julia Trahey.

"If you come into hospital and get one of these infections, then you die. (Bader) is the guy who tries to control these. It's a big issue," said Trahey, who warned Health Minister Ross Wiseman about Bader's situation.

While listening to the VOCM Open Line Show today, it became obvious that the contracting of O.R Bugs is a big thing, and I dare say with it being supported by the testimony of Dr. Julia Trahey, we can only hope that the flow of information is correct and relevant.

It would seem we are operating with skeleton crews right now, major surgery's being put on hold when they should not be. Bold it is to suggest, but near obvious in observation, our health care system seems to be allowing many medical problems to take care of the patient, rather than health care take care of the issue.

This is the most ugly display and use of the word attrition, but anticipating death due to lack of treatment, or waiting lines scares the bejesus out of me. A clinically ill person at 75 years old, pre-diagnosed with probable or assumed cancer should wait no longer for tests, than someone half that age. But this game is rampant, and it's getting more so.

Have you ever been recently admitted to hospital? My good lord, the questions are intrusive and invasive. We live in a free health care region, so why is it important to disclose income, your occupation, list family members, do you live in an apartment or do you own the house? Is it fair to suggest that once it is established that a person has a weak patient advocacy network, then the game is on!

Damn straight it is! Why are we letting it happen? Because we are weak snotty patrons to a belief that we dare not question the machine. Well ladies and gentlemen you better hurry to beat me to the mic. I have never seen such a crisis in health care, and Danny Williams can kiss all the newfie ass he wants, he is in denial.

Brudder