Personal Experience with Public Health Care System

This past Saturday I slipped on some ice in a parking lot near my home. Passersby immediately came to my assistance. I was able to get into a local store and the people there removed my boot and saw a large swelling on my right foot. They called an ambulance and when they arrived, the emergency medical people said I should go the hospital and they thought there were some breaks and possible dislocation.

Shortly after arrrival at Ottawa's Montfort Hospital I was treated at a 'fast track' area to determine if I did not have to stay very long. But this changed quickly as xrays showed a dislocation and three breaks in bones in my right ankle. I was admitted to the hospital. Prior to going to my room though, they did a wonderfully painless short procedure to relocate my ankle bone. As it would hurt tremendously they gave me what I can call an instantaneous anesthetic. I recall lights moving and thought I kept chatting (as is my wont) but then realized the bone was no longer swelling (I had been asleep for maybe 30 seconds)

After admission I was told surgery would likely occur on Sunday. Well after several false expectations I was told on late Sunday it was postponed to Monday. About 2:00 PM on Monday I had the surgery. It went well...was 'joking around a bit' with the surgeon, aneasthetist (sp?), recovery room staff etc. etc. One staff person kidded me about giving out my PIN when I was in the recovery room but still 'out of it' ((:-))

The hospital sent me home yesterday. I am now using a two wheel waker to get around our residence. My wife and best friend is pushing me in a small 'wheelchair' device when going to and from our car.

Here's my POINT. This experience at the hospital reinforced my view of our Canadian Health Care system. Is it the BEST we have here in Canada. The staff I dealt with were a marvellous group of men and women. They try to meet all various personal needs of patients. They are also very patient with patient idiosyncracies (and yes I have some too).

They have an always present happy disposition.

I have now even less patience with those private health care advocates. We do have mixed health care system when looking at the overall system.. but the public part is alive and well. May it flourish forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taxes and Public Services

Well once again there is discussion about one particular political party suggesting a raise in taxes. And once again, the 'tax cutting' crowd is all over them.

You know the last time I looked, our health system; our education system; our justice system; our road system; our garbage collection system; our police, fire fighting, and ambulance systems are all funded by public funds. There are a lot of services we rely on and have been traditionally supported by taxpayers.

I don't like paying taxes any more than anyone else. But I see there is a need for public service providers to have sufficient resources to discharge public responsibilities. I think the 'tax cutter crowd'as usual is so 'wrapped up' in their ideology they never acknowledge an essential role for government in these vital areas of our society.

This 'tax cut' preoccupation seems to have started with the beginning of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan's periods of office. Our world has become a 'less caring' society because of that. Private sector (usually non-governmenta agencies) have had to 'pick up the slack'.

Whenever next election comes I will support any party that recognizes the reality that taxes may need to be adjusted to support public services.