My Take | Once proud public healthcare in the West is not what it used to be
- Decline and fall of social democracy in the UK and Canada has a lot to do with shrinking medical services and worsening outcomes for the people
The octogenarian mother of my wife’s friend recently moved back to Hong Kong after living in Canada for decades. The reason? She couldn’t get a doctor to consult on the periodic return of a very painful condition from a chronic disease.
By the way, unlike my family, she is extremely wealthy. But that doesn’t count in Canada when it comes to seeing a medical specialist.
Less than a week after her return, she was able to see a private specialist.
My wife has not seen a gynaecologist for more than three years, not since her last return to the city. My daughter was hit by a car in downtown Toronto more than two years ago. Our family doctor referred her to a specialist and said their office would call. We are still waiting.
The ambulance ride for my daughter was C$45 (HK$260) for a Canadian resident, but since she didn’t have her health card on her, they ended up charging her C$245.
We are still fighting the charge. But my family are lucky; we all have our GP, or family doctor, and the support of nurses. In Ontario, pharmacists increasingly play a consultative role for minor health issues.