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By Doug Collins

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: It’s painful to be last in line during a pandemic

Feb 7, 2021 | 8:04 AM

In these times of so many concerns, there are very tough decisions being made by our leaders.

In areas of long-term care, hospital care, school teachers and support staff, all these areas require a lot of discussion before decisions are made.

One of the big concerns right now is how we deal with pandemics in long-term care and hospital facilities. Royal Inland is going through a tough time right now. The outbreak that has hit the hospital is not showing any immediate signs of going away. That severely impacts patients in surgical wards, and in acute care wards. And people are getting frustrated.

Cancelled surgeries, delays in other procedures, and now the possibility that elective surgeries may be cancelled if they require an overnight stay in hospital.

Many have been waiting a long time for important procedures that would have been rush surgeries prior to the pandemic. But now they are pushed well down the list.

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People in severe pain with bad knees or hips are really suffering. People who are at high risk are over a year behind for other surgeries or even simple procedures such as colonoscopies.

These people are frustrated, but at the same time are afraid to go to hospital because they don’t consider it safe.

On the other side of the coin, hospital workers are at the end of their rope and suggest more elective surgeries be cancelled.

So how do we deal with this conundrum? Sadly, there are few real solutions, and those with elective surgeries, no matter how serious, are just going to have to wait in line.

First of all, you have to be prepared to deal with acute-care patients or emergency patients. They need urgent care.

Hospital workers are falling by the wayside. They need a break, and lack of funding for hospitals is now starting to show itself.

But for elective surgeries, the procedure is simple. You have to delay them. And as bad as that is for those waiting, those who are pushed down the list are just going to have to bear the pain for a little while longer.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.