Jean and I had a very recent experience involving the health care services here in Cumberland County as of yesterday.

Sunday Jean had a really nasty cough and sounded awful frankly and I thought maybe she had a chest infection and given the fact I had one some time ago and told off for leaving it late to get help decided she should go to the Pugwash ER Monday morning as likely take a few days to get an appointment at our local clinic.  

On arrival at our local ER told closed and not an uncommon experience here. Since we had to go to Amherst and being told that ER was open we arrived at 0830.  Jean was triaged.  Eight hours later she was seen by a doctor.  

We accept her condition was not life threatening and more serious cases needed attending.  

Only one doctor was handling the case loads and our sympathy was with same.  He was worked off his feet.  

During that time no communication was ever delivered to the people waiting and as such my wife had no food or drink until I gave her some or any idea of wait time so she could use the cafeteria.  

Her concern was if she left the waiting area  to get food and was called and if not there she would lose her place.  I was prepared to get her food but it was not clear if food or drink was acceptable in the holding area for patients to be seen. I should have checked I know but assumed not in a hospital facility such as this?

It points out that thanks to ER closures in Rural hospitals that places greater pressure on the Regional ones like Amherst.   I had the chance to talk to fellow people at the ER and it was not good as any I spoke to said it was a farce and  very frustrating and up ten hours in some cases before seen to.  

Most could handle that if told what was going on. Not a single communication was ever given.  

The admin staff were insulated by their screens as could not find anyone to talk to frankly.  Communication was non existent. Most frustrating experience of my life.  I tried to get my wife give up and take our chances with getting an appointment with our NP or Doc. But she said we have gone this far so not give up?

Because it is health care and so important to us all we put up with a lot of BS from it as patients.  Whether that is poor service from some and arrogance I am not sure but I see a great denigration of what is being provided and what we expect. 

Doctors seem to be unhappy but so are we  the patients. I see nothing but a denigration of our health care in NS.  

A decision was made by this Government to close the existing Health Authorities and save money. Saving delivery of health Care service did not come into it a typical bean counter opinion. We are now paying for that decision.

As a past member of the Cumberland Health Authority you could rightly question my motives for this missive as sour grapes? Not at all as myself questioned the need for ten. But reality is our CHA had all positions filled for doctors when dissolved.  

We are worse off today than when this Gov. changed the rules. We have an NSHA that is not transparent let alone open and not made up by directors who have a clue as to health care from what I see?

Given what I see unless this Gov. has the guts to admit It was wrong on Health Care then we have to change it if another party is? Otherwise I agree it has done a good job in other areas but this will change my opinion and likely some others?

Dave Farley

Pugwash 

ps  Seem also a problem with physician referrals. I had refrerral to NS Hearing and Speech Assn. by local NP. Nothing for several weeks. When I called then said never received it. Same thing with my refrerral to an ENT Specialist in Amherst. No answer and told never received? I know the staff at Pugwash and have confidence in them but cannot assume it is the other end?