||| FROM JOHN ERLY |||
I will start this out saying “we choose to live here.” That does not mean we want less then the best from our medical system. If you go by the clinic employee parking area, you will find between ten and thirteen cars parked. This makes me believe that the clinic is well staffed.
You can not call the clinic direct, getting transferred there can be slow and frustrating. In my case, I gave up and drove to the clinic after being transferred three times. Once I got to the clinic, and handed the receptionist my Cardiologist’s request for a blood draw, she had to take it into the back office to talk to someone about the blood draw. She returned and told me the first available appointment was April 17th (this was on the 31st of March).
I don’t consider myself as an “old timer.” I do remember Doctor Williams, operating out of his home. Sometimes he drew the blood himself, then ran the test while you sat there.
We have had many attempts at health care, last attempts Island Hospital, University of Washington and now back to Island Hospital. After all this shuffling of health care, the best we can do for a simple blood draw is a 17 day wait. I personally think it is ridiculous.
While this path does not address your concerns about island health care, when I need a blood test I walk on the ferry, take Mert’s tax to the Island Hospital and go to the wall in blood clinic. Never had to wait more than 10 minutes. Results that very day. Then to certy with Mert’s.
Takes most of the day but quicker than 17 days.
Having lived on the island for over 30 years, and having experience being on both sides of this issue, both as a health care worker and as a patient, I feel like I may have some insight into the process of receiving medical care on island. First and foremost, the number of cars in the parking lot is not a good indicator of how many employees are inside. The clinic is a busy place often operating at over full capacity. Island Hospital goes out of it’s way to try to make sure they are staffing the clinic as best as they can, with the best candidates for the positions. Many of the employees in the clinic travel decently long distances (some from off island ) to be there to meet the needs of our community every day. Remember that it is a primary care family clinic, not an emergency room or a walk in clinic, and yet the staff there do their best to take care of patient’s needs as quickly as possible. Our population is increasing on the island, with more long term visitors, and a growing demographic of elderly, all of which can affect how many appointments are available. Remember, the goal has always been healthcare for ALL. I understand that the phone system is nobody’s favorite, but I think you will find if you call almost any clinic anywhere else , you will find the phone tree systems there much the same. The days of being able to call your doctor at home is a thing of the past, and we need to make peace with that. I would advocate that islanders who have issues, concerns, or even just good ideas should attend health care town halls and health district meetings. These are often woefully unattended by the community, even though they are the best time to share concerns like the one above. Lastly, and most importantly, we need to remember in all of our dealings with the clinic, that they are members of the community as well, and deserve the same kindness ,empathy and respect that they show to us when we come in the door injured or unwell.
I think we should follow the wisdom of Spain, which now requires that phone calls be answered by a human.