I just spent 50 minutes in my doctor’s waiting room, having been lucky enough to grab a cancelled appointment instead of having to wait until next week.
I am aware of how lucky I am to have a family doctor, medical coverage and Pharmacare.
I am not sick. I didn’t need an examination, or tests, or the application of the blood pressure cuffs, a stethoscope applied or a further appointment to see a specialist.
All I needed was a prescription renewed for a bronchial dilator I need to function, which takes two minutes.
I have been a chronic asthmatic since I was five, and for the past 40-plus years have used great medications which allow me to breathe. I am not likely to overdose, or to try to sell these inhalers online, or to some junkie on the streets.
Why in this day and age do I have to jump through hoops each and every time I need to renew the prescription?
I was amazed to find that if I lived in England, I would be designated as a chronic sufferer and would simply go to my local chemist for my monthly supply of inhalers or drugs which would be free. In discussing our health care system with my doctor, neither of us could come up with the name of our current minister of health – which is almost laughable if it wasn’t so frustrating.
Taking one aspirin and sleeping on it, won’t get rid of this boondoggle we call a health system – it will just bring on another day of headaches for the general public.
Sheila Gair