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LETTER: Quality care falling by the wayside

It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of quality care after a long and valiant struggle with the system.

Editor:

It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of quality care after a long and valiant struggle with the system. Common sense has been gone for some time now, and empathy was replaced by apathy.

To the taxpayers I send my thanks. Your contributions were to extend quality care’s life, ensuring a system where “every person matters.” Unfortunately, the government has entered into contracts to ensure that quality care was provided for and had not the time nor inclination to see to it that the contract was indeed honoured. The legal system, MLA’s office and IH investigations, failed as well. My 90-year-old great aunt appreciates your continued financial support.

For the care-aids, nurses and doctors, who stood on the front lines every day, braving the broken system, fearlessly doing their jobs; working in their chosen professions to put quality care’s needs uppermost in their hearts, I send you my sincere gratitude. It must have been overwhelming to work alongside those who couldn’t care less, where quitting time and payday were the order of the day, and yet you persevered.

Last but not least, are the staff of the activities departments. You are the people who with the least amount of funding available, provided quality care with the companionship so badly needed in those final days. The veterans, seniors and disabled will be needing you more than ever with the passing of quality care. You remained ever optimistic for the future and were proactive with quality care’s ever changing needs. You are the unsung heroes and the only contact that many of quality care’s friends have.

Quality care witnessed the passing of transparency, professionalism, accountability, integrity, honesty, compassion and ethics. Survived now by love, forgiveness, and hope.

In lieu of flowers, visit the lonely, listen to them, give love and encouragement whenever the need shows itself. Anonymous said, “Love people and use money ... not love money and use people.”  How true.

Letters of condolence can be sent to Darcy Martens at sparrowdesigns@hotmail.ca.

Future generations have been entrusted with the arrangements.

Darcy Martens

Williams Lake