As a leadership candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of PEI and next Premier of the Province I have been asked repeatedly what would I do to correct the problem in health care; specifically what I would do to deal with the wait times in the ER.
I have said clearly that I need to better understand the situation at the QEH before taking a position. That includes the perspective of the emergency room itself. Media reports, patient’s comments and Government spin have all contributed to a growing mistrust and lack of confidence in our delivery of health care.
When faced with conflicting reports on situations throughout my career I have always made certain to obtain a first-hand understanding in order to sift through the rhetoric and self-serving information. Then, when well informed on one side, I make it a point to become equally informed on the other .
As I am finding out every day, it is very hard for the public to find out what is behind the stories found in the Media. Here is the “Detailed story “ behind the story today”.
Here are my notes
Ejected from the waiting room of the ER Tues night
I dropped in about 7:45 stayed for 2 to 3 minutes, never talked to anyone. I was there to observe, not to speak to patients. When I was leaving I engaged the security guard in a conversation, which turned to politics and the leadership race.
During the conversation a medical person came from the ER to the waiting room and asked if I was there to see a doctor? I jokingly said no I was here to see him pointing at the security guard to whom I had been talking. The medical person then asked the guard if I was there to see him and he replied that I was there to see how things were going. The medical person then told me I had to leave, I asked why and was told it was policy. I asked the guard if it was a written policy? He told me he wasn’t aware of any policy. Regardless, the medical person told me I had to leave, I asked who she was and she just said “The Nurse” I informed them I would be requesting a copy of the policy tomorrow. I left.
I called the hospital to speak to the administrator. Dr. Henderson called me back after I left a message ------------ long conversation
Dr. Henderson told me she issued the order to watch me to all staff and security.
However the security guard I spoke to was not aware of it. The doctor tried to say I was talking to patients on my last visit, I corrected her a number of times and explained that I spoke to no one on this visit or on my second of three visits other than the guard, and the people I spoke to on Fri WANTED to speak to me.
I asked her repeatedly about her exclusion policy telling her I wanted to make sure that I had it right that “elected politicians, even the premier, or the minister of health, are not allowed in the ER waiting room, even to observe what is going on, without getting prior permission” She confirmed that was the policy.
She said politicians “actually” don’t come into the ER to see what the situation is, they call for a meeting. Politicians only come for official purposes IE sod turnings, openings.
She said she has asked for a copy of the written policy and hopes to have it soon, if they actually have one. It may take time to get it. Policy relates to news people and public figures etc. She also said if she were to find that they did not have a policy, she would have one drawn up.
Politicians or others must request a meeting and proper protocol will be followed, EVEN the health minister. I told her that I am opposed to this policy, as well as my ejection and ongoing ban from the QEH emergency Room, and the ban of others, including elected officials.
She offered to set up a meeting on Aug 16. I explained that this date was too far in the future, I would like to deal with the issue sooner. I told her I will be sending a formal letter of objection today or tomorrow, and will be looking for a meeting to discuss it.
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