Dear editor,
Being a mom is a scary thing when your child is sick and there seems to be nothing you can do for them.
Being a new mom is even worse in tense situations. We as moms rely on the health professionals at the hospitals to help us and we expect them to be courteous, understanding and helpful.
Unfortunately, at Port Hardy Hospital we didn’t receive that. On Mar. 15 the treatment that my girlfriend and I received when we brought her two-month-old son into the emergency room was atrocious.
For two hours, we sat in the waiting room without even being acknowledged by a nurse or any other staff member, then we were subjected to the rudest attitude from the ER nurse and sent home without seeing a doctor.
We ended up returning to the ER during the day and seeing a dayime nurse who was amazed beyond a doubt. They took the time to help us to the best of their abilities and to make sure we were as comfortable as possible and ensure that we saw a doctor.
The night emergency staff needs to work on their “beside manner” and treat all patients fairly, maybe even take some lessons from the daytime staff. As a mom and a resident of Port Hardy, I suggest if you find yourself ER-worthy during the night, take the extra 20 minutes and drive yourself to Port McNeill and receive the care and respect you deserve instead of subjecting yourself to rude behaviour and hours of waiting to see anyone at Port Hardy Hospital.
Kate Pyle
Port Hardy
