More thoughts on the doctors leaving Digby

Doctors leave Digby in lurch … We have read the thoughts and feelings of a number of contributors sharing the common theme of the new Digby doctors’ impending departure. It would seem everyone except the patient’s opinion has been heard, possibly because the current health system considers patients a dying breed.

We have read the Digby Area Health Coalition response to the news Digby’s two new doctors are leaving the end of November. I understood every word Mr. Tony Kelly penned and the message he was putting forth.

We have read the opinion of Dr. Tim Holland of Doctors Nova Scotia. It would seem Dr. Holland really understands the problems because he puts forth many excuses justifying Dr. Bourget’s and Dr. Chang’s departure and no interest in the community abandoned. Dr. Holland is worried bad press may deter future doctors from choosing rural Nova Scotia. It would be my suspicion doctors would prefer a community united solving a problem rather than rolling over and pretending otherwise. If Dr. Holland were the least bit concerned about the patients, he wouldn’t be protecting and justifying an authority that overworks staff and then doesn’t pay them for the extra time.

We have read the opinion of our elected representative to the Nova Scotia Legislature. He is disappointed in us for our negativity because of our voiced disappointment – yet again. Maybe we are disappointed in the inability to recognize there are serious problems that cause doctors to leave which he didn’t feel worthy of mentioning or offering to solve. These doctors had committed in an open public forum to three years of service to our community and its peoples – we are equally upset with the doctors leaving due to their inability to live up to their commitment and a system that doesn’t think that is important. This lack of leadership does nothing for the sustainability dream.

I have met a doctor in an emergency ward at the end of a 72-hour shift. Yes, there were naps which were invariably interrupted as patients in need arrived. In Nova Scotia, truck drivers are not allowed to drive for more than 13 out of 24 hours. Why? Because mistakes that kill people happen with regularity when a person is sleep deprived. It would seem Nova Scotia Health Authority believes it is … immune.

I was one of the people who met Dr. Bourget and Dr. Chang at the Digby Regional High School Theatre. They presented themselves to us in a clear distinct voice explaining they were here because it was their choice, they were here because they knew what working for the Nova Scotia Health Authority was like, they were committed and wanted to be here. They were looking forward to the next three years. There were more than a few skeptics in the audience, but so convincing was their story that we believed and trusted them. We opened our homes and families to them. We were rejected. I do not believe we will be as naive the next time.

We have read Dr. Genna Bourget’s and Dr. Jennifer Chang’s reasons for leaving. Among those reasons ¬¬– family. Yes, family is … well, family. Two-and-a-half-hour drive to Halifax? Many of the children our two kids go to school with in an elementary, junior and senior high schools don’t see one of their parents for three to six weeks at a time. Some of those kids are from single-parent families. They wish they could see that parent who is working two jobs to keep their world turning more often – maybe even attend a school function together, as a family. Many of the other kids don’t see one of their parents many days in a row for months on end – the sea is not always a caring task manager. You have been overworked and underpaid. Really? Who isn’t? You haven’t been paid? So, you think moving closer to the NSHA bank will fix that problem?

As parents, we try to instil in our children the value of commitment, to finish the task begun. To be honourable to themselves and to those we share our world with.

Dr. Chang and Dr. Bourget – you have more education than most of your patients, you are more world travelled then most of your patients and you have more disposable income than most of your patients. You have been privileged to have shared many incredible opportunities, experiences and gifts from our greater world. It is disappointing you have learned convenience over commitment.

When will the Nova Scotia Health Authority mature and acknowledge it has a responsibility to its patients and staff and not just to itself? And when will NSHA become an honest and respectful employer? This would provide a world-recognized value attracting more doctors than we could ever use and the bad press wouldn’t be such an issue.

David Boland, Digby