Editor:
It is official, the day I was not looking forward to has arrived.
After almost 10 years of great care, my reliable, professional doctor-patient relationship is ending.
Dr. Robert Hepburn and I met during a medical professional circumstance. At the time, I was in a bit of a limbo with my then-GP and needed a new family doctor fast.
When I became Dr. Hepburn’s patient, it was like entering a new world of family practice. I was delighted how well-organized the office was running and the respect patients were given.
Dr. Hepburn is leaving behind a great number of sad patients, and I am certainly one of them. On the other hand, I feel I got the best of both worlds for a number of years as a patient and as a medical professional, and I call myself lucky and honoured.
I thank Dr. Hepburn and staff for compassionate, empathetic ongoing care, and I wish him the best in his retirement. I hope he can look back with pride on how meaningful his career was to us patients.
I have received the utmost respect, patience and understanding since I do have a couple rather rare diseases that require ongoing lifelong treatment. I know it was a challenge at times, but together we always came up with the best solution. He let me have all the input possible, which was very crucial in my care, and I could make my own decisions without judgment. It is his respect towards me as a patient and for my medical professional that I will treasure and keep with me always.
Then there is his staff; my favourite receptionist, Jackie, is a ray of sunshine. Her new employer will get a top-notch employee.
I have been trying to find a new doctor to take me on. So far, no luck. Even the receptionists I am talking to when calling just don’t have that compassionate tone of voice that “My Jackie” has.
Where can I go from here? I feel lost, yet I do like changes, as they are part of growing and, yes, still learning. I am hopeful that I will find another great doctor.
I am quite aware that B.C. has a shortage of GPs and it is a challenge to find a family physician these days. This is one more issue that our B.C. government should really look into with some fresh new eyes and ears. After all, with the baby boomers getting older and more fragile, we are looking at a staggering increase in much-needed health care.
Maggie Bernet, White Rock
