The following letter was sent to MLA Nicholas Simons and Health Minister Terry Lake and copied to Coast Reporter.
The health care system has failed to support our family — and yours could be next.
In September 2013, my father-in-law fell and broke his hip. After surgery at Lion’s Gate Hospital, he was eligible for a small amount of care to help in the home. After many months, the stress caused my mother-in-law such distress that we were concerned she would die.
In the spring, my father-in-law fell again and would never return home. He went to St. Mary’s Hospital where he lived for six months. He was alone and under-stimulated, further hindering his mind and body. Our family felt sad and helpless. All of this affected my mother-in-law’s health; she deteriorated drastically.
In November, she was diagnosed with cancer and died this past December.
This experience was very difficult as our family was at times separated, stressed and under-cared for. I wonder how this can happen in a province and community so proud of its health care system? Why do we have such a doctor shortage? Why do we have so few care homes to accommodate our elderly? Why did they design St. Mary’s Hospital so poorly, with single rooms? Why are there so few palliative/hospice beds to care for people dying? Why are people sent home with little care? Our community needs to make changes. I know our family is not and will not be the only family to have to endure such stress and sadness caused by the lack of health care options and supports.
Laurie MacHale (Sugars), Roberts Creek
