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Working together for Local Healthcare

With a visit to Georgian Bay General Hospital this summer, Donna & Conrad Huber got an inside look at healthcare in our community. Here’s what they had to say:

“Since making Port Severn our home in 2015, and with a few health scares recently behind us, we wanted to understand how our community hospital was equipped for care. Here’s what we learned:

The Emergency Department is truly exceptional. This brand new, state-of-the-art department is equipped with the tools and technology required to assess, diagnose and treat patients. We feel comforted knowing this level of service is available close to home.

The hospital leadership team has a vision and the dedication to see it through. With big projects on the horizon – like building a 20-bed mental health unit, and the implementation of an entirely electronic health record system – the careful planning and consideration demonstrated by the team gives us confidence that the future of Georgian Bay General Hospital is promising.

The need is great. Right now, our Georgian Bay General Hospital requires $7-million in equipment and infrastructure upgrades. This list includes items like IV Infusion Pumps, Vital Signs Machines, Ventilators, Hospital Beds, upgrades to the Pharmacy and Lab and so much more. Our hospital relies on donations for these purchases because government funding does not pay for the essential tools or technology required for our care.”

Following their visit, Donna & Conrad decided to make a gift to the hospital to help support annual equipment needs, allowing the hospital to use the funds where they are most needed.

Read more about Donna & Conrad’s donation to GBGH.

John Blaicher

Dear GBGH Team,

This past Monday morning (July 16) around 7:30 am, I embarked on an unplanned trip by ambulance, followed by a 5 day stay in your hospital. After spending several hours in Emerg, I eventually ended up spending the rest of my stay in room 241 – bed 4.

While I am certainly NOT in a hurry to repeat my experience and come visit you anytime soon, I was totally impressed and actually blown away by the high level of compassion, professionalism and genuine personal interest in my case and the medical care I received while at GBGH. From the Fire Dept. staff who responded to my wife’s 911 call, followed by the ambulance attendants who transported me to Emerg, to the Emergency team of nurses and doctors, the staff in X-ray and CT, and especially to all the staff that took such good care of me in room 241.

However, it wasn’t just me that everyone was taking good care of, it was all the patients in every room and every wing.

That is why I’m writing this letter and addressing it to the GBGH Team! Thanking only those I came in contact with would hardly seem fair because I saw dozens of nurses, nurses in training, doctors, cleaning staff, volunteers, technicians, admin personnel, food services staff, etc. who were all engaged in helping take excellent care of us – “the patients”.

So, the very least I could do is take a moment and simply say ‘THANKS!’ Thanks for the great care you provided me during my stay, but more so, thanks for the important day-in, day-out care you give to the thousands of patients that arrive at your doorstep throughout the year and over the decades.

While I was certainly happy to be discharged late Friday afternoon, I came away from my experience with a whole new appreciation for our health care system, GBGH and more importantly, the cast of individuals who dedicate themselves to keep it running 24/7. YOU ARE AWESOME!

If I hear anyone criticize our healthcare system now or in the future, please know that I have your back and they will get an ear full.

Thanks again and please keep doing what you are doing because we “the patients” need and appreciate you, even if you don’t hear it as often as you should!

Sincerely,
John Blaicher