7/7/2010 8:15:46 PM #

I have to agree that here in Canada we have some "bugs" to work out of the healthcare system, but there a few facts I would like to share:  1) In Canada each province is in charge of their own health care.  It does differ from one province to another therefore the healthcare system here cannot be looked at as a single system for the whole country.  For instance, in Ontario, which is the most densely populated each resident is given a photo ID heath card which must be renewed and updated with any new info and a new photo.  There has been an earnest effort in preventing fraudulent use here.  Howeve, every resident, be they citizen or launded immigrant, have automatically heath coverage.  This covers most of the regular care including referrals and treatments with specialists, tests, surgery, bed in hospital.  There are other small incidentals such as ambulance which has an extra charge of $45.00.  This will encourage wise use of this service and not holding it up so often for when they have life-threatening calls. People will think twice and opt to use their private vehicle or taxi etc.  
Unfortunately, we do not have a blanket governmental plan to cover prescriptions for all residents.  Once a citizen atains the age of 65 most drugs are covered automatically.
    The way that the health system is paid for is by premiums that all employers in Ontario have to contribute to, thereby allowing coverage for all.  For many years the workers had premiums deducted from their paychecks each pay period, the rate depending on their marital status etc.  but this was changed and has been a wise move.  
I worked as a Registered Nurse for 20 years here and have seen many changes.  Some very favourable, and of course others that are not so popular.  A few years back, after the SARS epidemic, there was concern about whether people were receiving the care they needed and deserved in a timely manner and unfortunately there was some loss of life for people awaiting very specialized and risky procedures, such open heart surgery, cancer treatment.  I do not think there are any systems worldwide that can say that they have not experienced any similar situations.  I have family in the U.K. and they have had similar incidents.  
I think that in Ontario, they made a huge mistake when they were cutting back staff to save money, and cut people like infection control RNs.  They had a vital position to play in ensuring that all staff followed strick guidelines and procedures in order to prevent spread of infection.  This resulted in nor further inservices to staff on asepsis and reminding about proper care and cleaning of equipment, as well as reminding of importance of handwashing.  I did do some of this inservicing and overseeing staff. That duty was taken away and I was back to staff nursing.  Next thing we know, there was SARS.  This could happen anywhere at anytime so it is vital that we be mindful and diligent at all times.  I am no longer working, but miss it greatly.  I had surgery to my C spine twice and cannot lift patients.  I could go on and on about various other aspects of our health care system, but suffice it to say that there are certainly improvements, such as better triageing and shorter wait times in emergency departments, and the public need further educating on using our walk-in non urgent care clinics so they may utilize them apppropriately, freeing up the emergency depts. for most serious cases.  I worked also in an emergency dept. and these walk-in clinics were just open a short time so we were still having to educate the public.  As for any countrie's health care, I think no one system is perfect, be it government run or privately run, and there will always be ways to change in order to provide our citizens with the best health care in existence. I have a vast knowledge of how we function here and would be happy to give any input should I be called upon.  Thankyou for the opportunity to contribute.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Laura J. Brennan R.N.

Mrs. Laura Brennan