Health care delays hurt --- they hurt real people

Yesterday I posted about the thousands of news stories that have been written about BC medical system … and the systemic delays in care in emergency wards.   

I also mentioned that in the middle of writing that piece, I received a telephone call from a friend that has personal experience with the system.

Their story is one that caused me to go through a wide range of emotions, emotions which ended in anger … anger in wonderment at how one of the worlds best medical systems could get to this point.

I have asked to share their story, and they agreed … here it is in part:

3 years I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. The third neurosurgeon gave me hope, and said my operation was to be in the fall, meaning October, or November 2011.

That date has come and gone

This operation is needed to relieve the nerves that affect my legs.  The nerves are severely pinched to such an extent that my legs feel like they are on fire and I just writhe in pain. My quality of life has got to the point where must days I can only go from my bedroom to the living room couch, where I stay until I return to go to bed in the evening.  Like I mentioned this is no quality of life. 

“The problems are in danger of overwhelming our health service”

The issue of preventative measures in health care, and rising costs to the BC medical system, has generated more comment.  I am not at liberty to disclose the name of the person who has provided the following, however they are well able to make the Guest Comments which follow:

Chronic health problems are indeed a very significant health care problem.  I am not surprised at the comments of Ms. Kaminski.

The 2 problems are firstly dealing with the present situation and at the same time the issue of prevention. At present we have illnesses such as Aides, Tuberculosis and Diabetes all needing life long or extensive drug therapy.   All Transplant patients go on anti-rejection drugs indefinitely.