Dozens of physicians working inside the busiest emergency room in British Columbia have released a scathing letter describing an unrelenting "crisis" at the department, claiming the local health authority has "repeatedly" asked them to keep details of the situation from the public.
The doctors work at Surrey Memorial Hospital. I want to tell everyone about my experience.
On Sunday night, I was rushed to Surrey ER by ambulance. I woke up at 1:10 AM with chest pains, was nauseated, breathing was laboured and in a cold sweat. The pain was so intense, I called 911. They told me to take an aspirin and the firemen came first and then the ambulance shortly thereafter. They suspected it was my heart. I went to Surrey Memorial and was put by the nurses station. It was wall to wall beds around the large nurses station. Patients in beds, everywhere. I was glad to be there!
After three hours, I finally got morphine and the pain was better. All the heart tests came out negative. I had an X-Ray that showed nothing. My mother and grandmother both had gall bladder problems and I mentioned that to the doctor. By 9 AM, pain was gone and I felt better. The doctor gave me Tylenol 3's to take home and told me if the pain came back to return to ER. He told me I needed an ultrasound within three days and if they didn't call, told me what to do.
Tuesday morning, they called. I hadn't eaten as I was still feeling nauseated which meant I could get the ultrasound that day. My appointment wasn't until 3:30 PM and Cheryl drove me. After the ultrasound I was told to go to ER to have it read immediately! Wow, you usually wait a few days for the doctor to call.
We left Cec in a nice area to wait as we knew ER would be busy. Cheryl and I stood in line for 25 minutes to give the ER clerks the paper given to me by the ultrasound guy. They put a hospital band on me and told me to take a chair. There were no chairs and someone got up as I guess being old has it's benefits. It wasn't long before I was sent into CATZ where everyone waits for a doctor. It was packed. We were talking to this nice lady who was waiting since 10 AM, and it was now 5:30 PM! I went up to the desk and not looking to crash the line, said "can I leave to get something to eat". She said "you are only allowed to go to the snack bar". I saw the snack bar, it's a Second Cup and all they had was bagels, muffins and banana bread. I said "I haven't eaten all day, I have a headache and I need a meal. I'll be back in an hour or so". And we left. I know they prioritize people according to severity and I had no problem waiting for as long as it would take.
After a nice dinner of ramen and veggies we were back. At 9:30 PM the doctor came in. It was my gall bladder as the ultrasound showed "debris". There are no stones so hopefully that won't come back. I have no idea what "debris" is!
I cannot express how hard the people in the ER work! The situation is critical, but when you are really sick, they tend to you immediately. If you can go to a clinic, don't go to ER.
In 2017 Surrey was promised a new hospital. They just announced it will start building in July six years after the announcement. Our government has let us down.
