Well well well... I certainly have alot of bitch-ranting to do today since it is the premier of Random Something blog, and there has been quite a bit of stuff that has been pissing me off.
Where to start...
Lack of Dr's In OntarioFirst, a little background... I am one of those poeple who require daily doses of medication to remain a "functional" member of society (read as anti-depressants) as well as a few other problems like asthma and G.E.R.D (Gastro-esophageal reflux desease) aka "heartburn that will burn a whole out yer gut", but due to the extreme shortness of doctors in ontario, am fuct beyond belief.
You see.. about 4 months ago, my doctor died rather unexpectedly, and there isnt a single doctor in this city that is currently accepting new patients right now. There have been many rumours of doctors that were offering to take over patients from my deceased doc, but whenever you call them, your told they were never doing such a thing and they too, aren't currently accepting new patients.
What to do? Well in ontario we have this great 1-877 number you can call and talk to live, trained nurses, 24 hours a day for free for medical advice, etc.. so I thought I'd give them a call and ask there suggestion. It was simple, go visit the ER at the local hospital and they should be able to fix me up with the prescriptions I need, since they are something I require daily. Not a problem since I pretty much live like right across the road from the hospital.
I ran across the road carrying my trusty OHIP card expecting I'd have to wait a couple hours.. (more like 8-12 in ontario) and I'd leave with a pretty prescription for all my pills.. boy was I ever wrong..
First off.. the nurse got right up in my face, and I dont mean yelling and screaming and stuff.. I mean LITERALLY right in my face.. as in there was less then a foot between the tip of my nose and hers. and when I tried to move or turn away.. she positioned herself so she was right back where she started.
Secondly, she proceeded to explain to me the entire process of how the hospital bills OHIP and how much it costs just for them to see us in the ER. When she was all done bitching at me about bills and costs.. she told me.. "and it is innappropriate to come to the ER for prescription refills" and pointed to a sing that was posted beside her that said the exact same thing..
Now what the hell are people who NEED prescriptions supposed to do. Our only clinic, closed in May of this year, and is never coming back again since there wasnt enough doctors to keep it open. There are alot of people, and not just in this city, that dont have doctors for one reason or another, not neccisarily of there own fault, who are screwed. We have free health coverage on most things, and if you are on welfare or disability, just about everything, yet we dont have a doctor to prescribe anything. What kind of a system is that? You're covered for it, but you cant have it, cause no one will write you a note saying you are allowed to have it.
