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Replying to @DavidRayAmos @Kathryn98967631 and 47 others
Methinks the awful truth is that McNeil like all politicians quite simply does not care until the issue may affect his reputation Apathy rules the day N'esy Pas?

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/04/this-is-face-of-health-care-crisis.html

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/health-care-plea-video-1.5110684

'This is the face of the health-care crisis': Woman issues plea to N.S. premier

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Gordon McPherson
Not enough med students, not enough residencies.
LOTS of administration though.

David R. Amos
Reply to @Gordon McPherson: Politics aside I sincerely hope Inez Rudderham wins her battle with cancer ASAP and enjoys a long life raising her daughter and hopefully grows old watching a few grand children grow up as well. Clearly she is no quitter and has the kind of fighting spirit that is needed to beat such things. My hat is off and my heart reaches out to the Lady and her child. Good luck and get well soon.

David Douglas
Reply to @Ken Likness: Yikes!
& here I am thinking of moving to BC (from Alberta) just to escape the newly elected PC Govts HealthCare plan.
Sure they'll save taxpayers money, but I really don't want gurneys in hospital corridors even if it does save costs. (Ralph Klein (PC premier from previous times) closed many hospitals, so, of course, there weren't enough hospital rooms for those who were not elected PC members. (He got a private room when HE was hospitalized))
What have they got in BC? Shared gurneys? Wow, that would cut costs even more!

David Douglas

Reply to @David Douglas: I hope none of the newly elected PCs are reading this (in Alberta). I don't want them to think that that's a good idea!

David R. Amos

Reply to @David Douglas: (He got a private room when HE was hospitalized))

FYI Whereas I was one of many Maritimers that Ralph Klein hoped would freeze in the dark I have talked personally to him a few times in the past and took on his Attorney General as well before I ran for a seat in the the 39th Parliament. I also spoke to Ralphy Baby not long before he died and he asked why I as still picking on him. He sent me an email as well (His last email address was pretty funny) To this very day I do not have a health care card nor a family doctor. However I am not whining about that fact. In fact I am doing something about it while preparing to litigate again in defense of my rights and run for public office for the 7th time

Keith Adams
Trudeau's track record of funding and gifting Canadians' tax dollars to any and all foreign interests and ignoring the plight of ordinary Canadians is clearly exemplified in this poor lady's tragic case of an uncaring government.

Hurry up October...

David R. Amos

Reply to @Keith Adams: Methinks you should check my work N'esy Pas?

Clayton Allen
Nice to know we have enough money for a new art gallery and Football Field but can't get doctors. Nickel And dime healthcare workers, but give millions for a ferry terminal in another country? Honestly how does McNeil Even look himself in the mirror. He should resign!

David R. Amos

Reply to @Clayton Allen: "Honestly how does McNeil Even look himself in the mirror"

Methinks the awful truth is that he like all politicians quite simply does not care until the issue may affect his reputation Apathy rules the day N'esy Pas?

Alison Mustard
Regarding Mr. MacNeils response: He said he will not commit to meeting her until he hears back from the department.
The department does not respond. There have been hundreds of letters regarding the refusal of the department to reinstate Dr. MacGillivray (a very experienced, capable and well-loved, by her patients, surgeon) who was forced to resign when the NS Health Authority refused to consider any of her proposals to cut back her practice a bit. She wants to work in Inverness, we want to have her, the "department" won't allow it. They won't tell us why.
It also took me over two years to get diagnosed - two surgeries, chemo, radiation - the price of which would more than likely have paid three specialists salaries for a year.

David R. Amos

Reply to @Alison Mustard: Well put

Mina Malek
The system is broken and there are multiple solutions and I guess it is all politics using a strategy of denying the presence of the problem so as not to take action.

David R. Amos

Reply to @Mina Malek: "I guess it is all politics"

Methinks everybody knows that everything is political and its always about the money N'esy Pas?

Mina Malek
Lots of people health deteriorate or they suffer because of the long waiting and the limited access to physicians, family doctors and health care facilities. this not the first case and of course not the last. It is torture for someone suffering and waiting long time for treatment.

David R. Amos

Reply to @Mina Malek: Methinks all the politicians know why I agree because they know I don't even have a Health Care Card yet N'esy Pas?

Awistoyus Nahasthay
Want better health care...then be willing to pay higher taxes!
The problem is most Canadians are not willing to do that, so use politicians as scapegoats for their own failings.
Not to say politicians are without blame. It would be nice if we had politicians in this country who had the backbone to actually show leadership and say "we NEED to raise taxes", rather than hiding behind milquetoast PR statements designed to placate an apathetic citizenry that wants nothing more than to pass the buck.

David R. Amos

Reply to @Awistoyus Nahasthay: "Want better health care...then be willing to pay higher taxes! "

Methinks many would agree that we are entitled to what we are already paying for and with me that should begin with a Health Care Card N'esy Pas?

David Sampson
The health care model is broken and those responsible at the helm must first recognize that it’s broken and then act, expeditiously, to turn things around. It’s not simply a family doctor issue albeit that’s what most obvious. It’s complicated but isn’t that what these enormously well paid administrators are paid to do.....solve problems!

David R. Amos

Reply to @David Sampson: "The health care model is broken and those responsible at the helm must first recognize that it’s broken and then act, expeditiously, to turn things around"

Dream on

Paul Whittaker
My family has been without a family doctor since mid 2018 and expects to wait up to 2 years for a new family doctor. This is Ontario where Mr Ford is slashing left and right just like Mr Harris did before him. Strange, Cuba has doctors all over the world and yet Canada cannot meet our own needs.Fords answer as with Harris will be to bring in privatization. In the USA Americans borrowed 80 billion last year to pay medical bills.

David R. Amos

Reply to @Paul Whittaker: Methinks all the politicians are well aware of the fact that I know a lot about what you just stated Anyone can Google my name N'esy Pas?

Roger Stanley
True story. When our Dr. retired both me and my 70 year-old dad applied to be accepted by a new Dr. to town. I had no health issues, my dad a few. I was accepted, he was rejected. Our health system is broken.

David R. Amos

Reply to @Roger Stanley: Methinks your Father and I are in the same boat N'esy Pas?

---------- Original message ----------
From: Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2019 02:07:38 +0000
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email to Premier McNeil.

This is an automatic confirmation your email has been received.

Warmest Regards,

Premier's Correspondence Team

---------- Original message ----------
From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca>
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2019 02:07:38 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: 'This is the face of the health-care crisis': Woman issues
plea to N.S. premier
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

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---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2019 22:07:34 -0400
Subject: 'This is the face of the health-care crisis': Woman issues plea to N.S. premier
To: Diane.Lebouthillier@cra-arc.gc.ca, Diane.Lebouthillier@parl.gc.ca,

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2019 01:41:34 +0000
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

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'This is the face of the health-care crisis': Woman issues plea to N.S. premier
Social Sharing

'I fought for my life,' says cancer patient Inez Rudderham in
emotional viral video
Alex Cooke · CBC News · Posted: Apr 25, 2019 1:29 PM AT

863 Comments

David R. Amos
Awaiting moderation
Reply to @Gordon McPherson: Politics aside I sincerely hope Inez
Rudderham wins her battle with cancer ASAP and enjoys a long life
raising her daughter and hopefully grows old watching a few grand
children grow up as well. Clearly she is no quitter and has the kind
of fighting spirit that is needed to beat such things. My hat is off
and my heart reaches out to the Lady and her child. Good luck and get
well soon.

'This is the face of the health-care crisis': Woman issues plea to N.S. premier

'I fought for my life,' says cancer patient Inez Rudderham in emotional viral video

Alex Cooke · CBC News · Posted: Apr 25, 2019 1:29 PM AT

Inez Rudderham speaks about her issues with Nova Scotia's health-care system in an emotional video that's since gone viral. (Marilyn Inez/Facebook)

A mother in Nova Scotia living with cancer is challenging Premier Stephen McNeil to meet with her after a years-long battle with the province's health-care system.

In an emotional video posted to her Facebook page this week, Inez Rudderham said she went undiagnosed for two years because she couldn't access a family doctor. By the time she was diagnosed, her anal cancer had progressed to its third stage.

"I dare you to take a meeting with me, and explain to me, and look into my eyes and tell me that there is no health-care crisis in my province of Nova Scotia," said Rudderham, 33, as she wiped away tears.

"I dare you."

Rudderham said she was turned away from emergency departments three times before her concerns were taken seriously.

"I fought for my life," said Inez, who said radiation treatments on her pelvis has left her "barren and infertile."

"At 33, I am in menopause because when my tumour was a polyp I did not have access to a family doctor and the ERs wouldn't help me."

Rudderham also spoke about mental-health services in Nova Scotia.

She said she began pursuing mental-health services in January to help her cope with her diagnosis. She said she will have to wait until the summer to receive counselling.

"This is the face of the health-care crisis in Nova Scotia. I cannot receive help for trauma that I experienced because of this failed system until July," she said.

"What about my four-year-old daughter who doesn't have me there, fully, because I need help and I'm not receiving it?"

The video has taken social media by storm, amassing over 50,000 shares since it was posted on Tuesday.

Experience is all too common: Doctors Nova Scotia

Tim Holland, the president of Doctors Nova Scotia, said this isn't the first time he's heard this kind of story.

He said Rudderham's experience has all of the elements of the problems Nova Scotians are facing in the health-care system.

"Lack of a family physician, having to access emergency department services for health care — knowing full well that those emergency departments aren't equipped to be diagnosing cancer like this, and are also stretched thin themselves," he said.

Dr. Tim Holland, president of Doctors Nova Scotia, says he's heard stories like Rudderham's all too often. (Craig Paisley/CBC)

He said these challenges are being seen across the country, and said the fix is "multi-factorial:" recruiting and retaining doctors and improving work environments by engaging them in important decisions and cutting back on red tape.

Response from the province

On Thursday, Premier Stephen McNeil said he has asked the Health Department to reach out to Rudderham to find out more about her situation.

He said he will not commit to meeting her until he hears back from the department.

"There are challenges in the health-care system in parts of accessing primary care. We've always acknowledged that," he said. "But we've continued to make adjustments."

Premier Stephen McNeil said he's asked the Health Department to contact Rudderham, and he won't commit to a meeting with her until he hears back from the department. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)

Speaking with reporters following a cabinet meeting in Halifax, Health Minister Randy Delorey said staff with the Nova Scotia Health Authority have tried to make contact with Rudderham.

"I think, again, there's some very specific concerns that were being raised about an individual's personal experiences within the health-care system," said Delorey.

"I think the health authority's taking the right approach to reach out, to connect … with the individual as they do and provide opportunities."

Delorey shied away from using terms like "crisis" in reference to the province's health-care system, saying issues within the system are shared across the country.

He also said the province is making progress through new investments and programs.

"We've been focused on these efforts for the last number of years," he said. "Our focus has been on primary care and we've been seeing those improvements."

Health Minister Randy Delorey said the issues Nova Scotia's health system faces are part of a nationwide problem. (Craig Paisley/CBC)

Also speaking after the meeting, Tory MLA Tim Halman said there has to be a "sense of urgency" when it comes to fixing gaps in Nova Scotia's health-care system.

"This is heartbreaking. If anyone knows my story, watching that video, I see a lot there on so many levels," he said, referencing his wife who died from cancer in 2017.

"From the perspective of an MLA, our system failed her."

Attempts to reach Rudderham for comment were unsuccessful.

'There's no stopping me'

Rudderham has been documenting her journey through Nova Scotia's health-care system since June 2018, about two weeks after she said she was diagnosed with cancer.

In the first video she posted after being diagnosed, she explained that she had been feeling unwell for about a year and that three doctors looked at her before she was given a rectal exam.

Rudderham said she used to have a family doctor but she left.

"You need to advocate for your own health," said Rudderham. "I should have started advocating for myself sooner than I did."

She also asked that people put pressure on the government instead of blaming health-care workers.
"Our doctors and our nurses are working in a system that does not support them," she said.

Rudderham says she went to three different emergency departments before she was given a rectal exam. (Robert Short/CBC)

In a follow-up video, Rudderham said she was initially diagnosed with a colorectal tumour, and later found out the tumour was actually in her anus. She said this was a good thing because its placement would make it easier to operate.

She joked that the growth, which was initially about six inches, had been named "Arnold," before she became serious once again.

"I don't want to make it seem like I'm taking light of this, because I'm not. I know full well what I'm facing," she said.

I can choose to see it for what it is, which is a really beautiful opportunity for me to stand up and fight a really good fight and come out on the other side however I choose to."

Rudderham added: "Because after this, there's no stopping me."

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/n-s-cancer-patient-shocked-and-grateful-1.5113497

N.S. cancer patient shocked and grateful for support following powerful video

'My community deserves more. Canadians deserve more. And I want that for them.'

Mairin Prentiss · CBC News · Posted: Apr 26, 2019 7:49 PM AT

Inez Rudderham, 33, says she is shocked, overwhelmed and grateful for the support she's received from her community of Windsor, N.S., and across Canada after posting an impassioned video about her cancer that went undiagnosed for two years. (Elizabeth Chiu/CBC)

Unable to work because of her cancer diagnosis and under mounting financial pressure, Inez Rudderham decided to sell her family home in Windsor, N.S.

On the day she found out the house had sold, she also heard that she would not get a mental health appointment, to help her cope, until the summer.

That's when she decided to hit record and speak directly to the premier of Nova Scotia.

"It just broke me," said Rudderham in an interview with CBC.

"It was done in a moment of emotion and passion and vulnerability. So I didn't think it through. I just shared what I was feeling and I posted it."

Rudderham, 33, challenged Premier Stephen McNeil to meet with her during the emotional video describing how her cancer went undiagnosed for two years because she didn't have a family doctor.
She said she went to the emergency room three times before she was given an exam to diagnose her stage three anal cancer.

"I dare you to take a meeting with me, and explain to me, and look into my eyes and tell me that there is no health-care crisis in my province of Nova Scotia," said a tearful Rudderham in the video.

After going through 30 rounds of radiation treatment and two rounds of chemotherapy, she is now in full remission as of January. But the fallout from her cancer has affected her physically and emotionally.

Under financial stress, Rudderham was forced to sell her Windsor, N.S., home. It sold on Tuesday, the same day she decided to record a video demanding to meet with Premier Stephen McNeil over what she calls a health-care crisis in the province. (Elizabeth Chiu/CBC)

She began pursuing mental-health services in January. She won't be seen until July.

NDP calls for more mental health services for cancer patients after heart-rending video

"I have a support network. I'm very fortunate. But not everybody has that," said Rudderham.

"My community deserves more. Canadians deserve more. And I want that for them. I want it for me."

She said she feels a responsibility to advocate for all Nova Scotians who are demanding better health care.

"I have a story that people can relate to and I think that that's important that I use my voice in a way that can help because I don't ever want to see any 31-year-old mother being told that she's crazy and that the symptoms are all in her head," she said.

Rudderham hasn't heard from McNeil or his staff. But she is preparing herself to return a phone call to the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

Earlier this week, McNeil said he asked the Health Department to reach out to Rudderham to find out more about her situation.

He would not commit to meeting with her until he had heard back from the department.

"There are challenges in the health-care system in parts of accessing primary care. We've always acknowledged that," he told reporters after a cabinet meeting Thursday. "But we've continued to make adjustments."

'Denial will get us nowhere'

"I just wanted him to acknowledge the fact that there is an issue with the health care system in Nova Scotia," said Rudderham. "I'm not particular on what terms he wants to use. He doesn't have to call it a crisis. But denial will get us nowhere.

"I just want to sit down with him and I want to be educated. I want to know why this isn't working and what I can do as a citizen to help make it better."

Despite it all, Rudderham said she is resilient and sees cancer as an opportunity to grow stronger.
She is now being followed by a family doctor.

Shocked by the response

Her impassioned video, which has been viewed over 2.5 million times since Tuesday, has garnered national attention.

"Never in a million years did I think that it would reach the audience that it has," she said.

Enormously grateful for the support, Rudderham said she wants to thank everyone in her community and Canada for rallying around her.

"Thank you doesn't seem enough. But just thank you to everybody."

"When you see people who are hurting step up and support you in your own hurt that, I think, is just such an indicator of who we are as a country."

'She has a lot of power'

A friend, Mary Moore, said she hopes Rudderham's voice will help spur change in the province.

"She has a lot of power and she has a lot of passion about what she's speaking of and knows very much first hand what it feels like to be feeling stuck. That there's no real answer and no where to find that answer," said Moore.

Mary Moore said she tried to focus on Rudderham, rather than the cancer while her friend was going through treatment. (Brian MacKay/CBC)

Nataly Regan, another friend, said it was Rudderham's determination that got her through cancer.
"She was not just fighting for herself, she was fighting for her daughter and her husband."

Nataly Regan said the community of Windsor, N.S., rallied around Rudderham after she was diagnosed with stage three cancer. (Elizabeth Chiu/CBC)

Regan said she is proud of the strength Rudderham has shown in sharing her story.

"It could be any one of us that is in her position. I don't think I'd be brave enough to do that video. Good on her for doing it, because people are finally listening."

With files from Elizabeth Chiu

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

David Raymond Amos Round 3

Friday 26 April 2019