Sugeries Closed in Lambton County Hospitals - Result of lack of Staff/Money

http://www.theobserver.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentID=99342&catname=Local+News

This article was found in Sarnia's newspaper, The Observer. It basically states that there will be no surgeries performed, other than those that are extreme emergencies and C-sections, between Aug. 2 and Sept. 11, at our Norma Street Hospital, and between Aug. 21 and Sept. 4 at our Mitton Street Hospital. Please read the details of the article before signing.

My mother is 48 years old and was just diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in her knees and left arm. She has had symptoms of this disease since mid-February, meaning that every day activities, even driving, are a painfull and awkward task. She has seen her doctor this morning (July 10th, 2006) and he has told her that there is nothing he can do for her. This doctor has patient surgeries that are back-dated, at least 2 months. Couple that with the next 1-2 months of surgeries he will add to the list while the surgical rooms are closed, and we now have a 3-4 month wait. Is it right that my mother, and numerous others in that doctor's office this morning, should have to stay home and be immobile for the next 3-4 months (or longer) while the symptoms get worse? Should they need to wait 3-4 months (or longer) so they can have the operations needed to cure these diseases, or at least prolong the functionality of their joints? I don't think this is the slightest bit fair, in any sense of the word.

The Canadian Government and local organizations that support/fund our hospitals and all hospitals across the nation, and the people who run and maintain these hospitals need to take a greater and more efficient look at why these financial problems are occuring, especially when we are dealing with procedures that could determine life or death in any one person. Then they need to take the time to determine a way to fix the current problems, and prevent them from occuring again.