Re: Proposed closing of sub-acute/rehab ward at Chilliwack General Hospital:
In 2007, while exiting the cancer clinic in Vancouver with my husband after he had just completed a PET scan treatment, a car came through the glass door in reverse, accelerating, hit me, and carried me eighty feet down the hallway. I suffered multiple breaks to my pelvis, a broken leg, broken ribs and a collapsed lung. I underwent emergency surgery and spent the next 10 days in the VGH trauma unit.
My husband, daughter, sister and other family, friends and neighbours were all in Chilliwack. Needless to say, I asked to be transferred to Chilliwack hospital as soon as possible as the thought of family and loved ones travelling every day to VGH and back to Chilliwack caused a lot of worry and stress on me and on them.
When I was transferred by ambulance back to Chilliwack I was able to recuperate from my injuries in the sub acute ward. It took two-and-a-half months before I could bear my own weight so I could not have been looked after as well, if at all, as an outpatient. The staff was wonderful and in due course, I was taught to walk again and able to return home.
When I read that this marvelous facility was to be closed down it really upset me. I would not be where I am today without all the great care and encouragement I received during my recovery and physiotherapy.
I therefore feel strongly that to close this unit now at CGH would be a tragic mistake. Cases like mine will happen again, and a facility like the CGH sub-acute ward is absolutely necessary for recovery. I encourage the “powers that be” to make sure this type of facility is always there for those that need it.
Please keep sub-acute open!
Gillian Phillips