Earlier this year, Bill Martin, Jo's Dad, had developed a hernia and by the time we arrived it had become pretty annoying to him. He decided to schedule the repair operation later in the summer so we could enjoy the summer but still have time to help with his recovery.

 

That surgery then was set for the 4th of September. In the week prior he had to do some preliminary checks and the doctor detected what he thought was a heart murmur. In two days we were over to a private cardiologist for a stress test which Bill passed with flying colors. Did I mention all was free, scheduled with no waiting and with no questions asked.

 

Then on Tuesday we went over to the Royal Victoria Hospital here in Barrie for the procedure. This is a wonderful state of the art facility staffed with some of the most caring and professional medical folks we have met.

 



 

 

We checked into the day surgery unit on Tuesday at 1pm as asked and were the only people there in the waiting room ... other than this guy asking directions to the bathroom.

 

 

 

At two Bill was in the operating room and we headed to the food court in the atrium. There is a Tim Horton's, a Subway, a juice joint, and behind me is a wonderful deli with some really fresh sandwich stuff. Off camera further to the right is a place that had some awesome burgers and even advertised a full rack of ribs for $8.99.

 

 

 

 

Bill was out of the procedure by three and then we sat in the post-op recovery area till he was cognizant enough to take home to his apartment. There were 36 bays in the room and he was the only patient left at 4:30 when we left and there were 6 nurses and several volunteers always there to help out. The reason there are few people here is that the preventive care part is available to every Canadian for life freeing the surgical folks to do the job they are supposed to do when they need to.

 

Did I mention that there is no money ever mentioned and the service is first rate. Any Canadian (ANY) can walk in and get this care right now without question. This is how managed health care should be. This not national health care as they have in the UK. This is health care managed and run by insurance premiums while regulated by the federal government ... a super system that cannot be beat.