I recently had the misfortune of having to attend the emergency department of the Chilliwack General Hospital (CGH). This was at the request of Dr. Mark Ballard to whom I owe my life.
The doctor contacted me at home at 9 p.m. one evening advising me to go to the hospital immediately. I had just undergone examination showing I had a serious heart issue. There were no beds in ICU so I was placed in the emergency department for two days awaiting further investigation. While there, I witnessed the almost continuous chaos (albeit organized) of the revolving door treatments overseen by the attending staff.
I was taken to the Royal Columbian Hospital on the third day and returned to the Chilliwack ICU later that day. It was decided I needed a pacemaker, which I received one week following admission.
During my stay in both emergency and ICU my treatment by the staff of Chilliwack hospital was nothing short of miraculous. The attentive, compassionate, and professional care was impressive.
It seems there is plenty of criticism for our local hospital but I saw absolutely nothing to criticize. I am grateful for the care and treatment received and the return to the ability to walk out of the hospital without the aide of a wheelchair or stretcher.
Thank you sincerely to all the staff of CGH, most particularly the nurses for their amazing capacity to deal with the constant onslaught of medical crises.
Hervey Blois