Dear Editor:
Recently I had the displeasure to go to the emergency at the Royal Columbian Hospital.
However, I was not impressed. I was in severe pain and it showed.
The first person I met was the admitting clerk. She was very cold and rude. "I need some ID."
I gave her my medical card. She pushed it back at me and said: "I need some picture ID," so I gave her my driver's licence. "Take a seat over there." Please or thank you never said.
After several hours I was told to follow the line to the next waiting room, which was very small and crowded.
Next, a doctor walked in, sat beside me and said "I will now take your history." All eyes were on us.
I was flabbergasted and said "No, you won't, not in here!" He apologized and left.
I then smelled a foul smell. It turned out somebody earlier on had vomited on the carpeted floor. It was not cleaned and dried into the carpet.
Also, I noted many patients were elderly from what I assume third-world countries, all taking in their native tongue.
Before you jump to to the conclusion that I am a racist, trust me I am not.
However, I am against elderly people being admitted to this country. This goes for all countries.
Our medical system is in bad enough shape as it is. As far as uniting the parents and children, this is not a valid reason.
If you can't stand the thought of separating the simple answer is: don't come to Canada.
We should look more at immigrants from Europe who have skills that are so desperately needed.
Many signs in the hospital were in Punjabi and Chinese.
I was under the impression Canada had only two official languages: English and French.
Other signs stated "Rude language will not be tolerated."
Why didn't the admitting clerk say "You seem to be in a lot of pain, this won't take long and may I please see some ID.
This is part of their job and if that is too much to ask for don't be a frontline employee. Get another job!
This pretty well covers my visit to the emergency room.
No, I was not impressed or amused!
L. Luyten, New Westminster
