I too am frustrated by the smokers and the garbage that I have to walk through every time I go for tests or chemo treatments at Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Fraser Cancer Centre.
I see this as a Surrey Memorial Hospital problem because that is where the smokers originate from. The smokers in front of the cancer centre are overflow from the daily group of patients and visitors who drag out cafeteria chairs to sit and smoke directly in front of the entrance to the hospital.
This entrance is currently the main entrance to our hospital. Is this really how we want to present Surrey Memorial Hospital to patients, visitors, staff and our city?
The unhealthy appearance of the entrances to SMH and the cancer centre is certainly not reflective of the competent and compassionate care I receive inside.
I was so incensed at this situation that two months ago I wrote and sent photos to David Mitchell, Chair of the Fraser Health Authority. He has never replied to me and the situation remains unchanged.
The solution is simple: Enforce the hospital’s no-smoking policy and the city’s smoking bylaws. There seems to be no problem enforcing SMH parking policies and city parking bylaws around the hospital so why are smokers getting a free pass?
Sheena Macintyre Wilkie, Surrey
Douse the problem
Re: “Smokers cloud Surrey cancer centre,” The Leader, Oct. 16.
I have a suggestion for the smokers who refuse to follow the rules, especially around hospitals.
I’d bet you would have volunteers standing in line for the chance to hose them all down.
I’d happily be first.
Like smoked salmon, I bet they’d be hard to light.
Cricket Watson, Surrey