tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055857818907002628.post1222098641535597061..comments2018-06-26T15:51:36.289-07:00Comments on ImPatient For Change: Why Ombudsman Oversight is Essential (Part 1/3): AccountabilityEvery Patient Mattershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06084302514819151534noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055857818907002628.post-4234926400599303772010-11-18T18:42:47.355-08:002010-11-18T18:42:47.355-08:00That's a good question. Here are some answers...That's a good question. Here are some answers:<br /><br />1 - Some people are totally up in arms about this. Patients who've been hurt. Families and friends who have lost husbands, wives, parents, siblings, children and close associates. People who know about it. <br /><br />But these people are often isolated from each other and overburdened. And they don't know where to turn. They're scattering their energies complaining to too many different people and sometimes they get tired and give up. <br /><br />It's time we get organized and work together. I hope people will come here and work with us, because I strongly believe that change is possible. Amazing change. The way I see it, it's a civil rights movement. And you Americans have some great civil rights movements that we can use for inspiration. <br /><br />2 - Some people aren't up in arms about this. Why not? Because they don't know about it. Because they haven't been affected by it personally. Because they're too busy coping with their lives and when they do have free time, they just want to relax or watch something that isn't so heavy, you know? And thinking about medical error can be a scary thing; sometimes people would rather just hope the dice roll in their favour. <br /><br />But here's the thing: we really are all at risk. I had no idea about this problem before it hit me in the gut, out of nowhere, one night in a restaurant. But what I've found out since is that there is a whole other world out there, that you fall into, once you get seriously ill. And that world is full of dark corners, with dangerous situations and mistreatment. <br /><br />We need light shone into those corners and rules to make things safer. And we need to help the survivors. We need to do it because one day it could be you. And the thing is, we're not asking everyone for all their time. Just for them to learn a little about the situation and to support us in our struggle. We've all done this before, with other issues, and Canada is better for it. We know how to make change. I believe we can do it again.<br /><br />3 - Some people know about it but aren't doing anything, and are actively putting up obstacles to prevent change. That's kind of a heavy accusation, isn't it? But it's true. And who are these people? Some politicians for whom this kind of change is not politically expedient. Some medical groups for whom this change is threatening - because it involves discussing their liability. And sometimes people are kind of bureaucratic about things, and they get bogged down by what's already done rather than what's possible. Dreams are amazing that way, aren't they? They can change the world.Every Patient Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06084302514819151534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1055857818907002628.post-20931255068354951312010-11-17T20:48:42.209-08:002010-11-17T20:48:42.209-08:00As an American, I had no idea about these issues o...As an American, I had no idea about these issues of Canadian health care. Why aren't more people up in arms about this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com