On June 14, I had a heart attack, and I made my way to our Shawville Hospital emergency department. They immediately took very good care of me and treated me with the urgency that I would expect.
After several nitro sprays, a blood pressure check and a blood sample, I had my first electrocardiogram (EKG). It was determined at that point that I had experienced a fairly significant heart attack and was not going anywhere. I was transferred from the emergency department to the ICU for further observation. The nurses there treated me like royalty and attended to my needs.
After my stay in the ICU, I was transferred to the third floor for four more days. I was treated EXCEPTIONALLY well by all, and I felt lucky that I was in OUR hospital that cares for its patients; I was not just a number, and I felt that! We are so fortunate to have a local hospital that actually cares for us!
During my seven days in hospital, I had four EKGs a day, all performed by an x-ray technician. Without the ability to do this crucial check, I would not have been able to stay in our friendly, local, caring hospital. We need our medical imaging technicians to stay, or our hospital is doomed. Doctors cannot do their job without key tools like the EKG.
I commend the action started by Citizens of the Pontiac to raise the extra funds needed to keep our medical imaging technicians. Our technicians – and all of us – are being treated like second class citizens. The money is certainly a concern, but so is the disrespect of the ridiculous, bureaucratic decision to pay our technicians less.
Quebec has to wake up and start spending our tax dollars in areas like healthcare that we need and value so highly.
I was in business in the Pontiac. You earn respect and it’s as important as the salary you make from your job. Please, medical imaging technicians, you have our respect. Please reconsider your decision to leave given the community effort to raise money for your deserved bonuses.
We need all of you to continue to protect our essential Pontiac Hospital. Collectively, we will work with our elected officials to correct this unjust and unfair practice of discriminating against rural needs. We all need the same things – care, compassion and respect!
I will never forget the love, care, and empathy shown to me in my time of need. So thankful that I had our local hospital to take care of me.
Ken Pack,
CLARENDON
