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Canada's health-care foot soldiers are the best

Dear Editor: I have recently undergone two major surgeries in quick succession at Lions Gate Hospital including stays totaling 12 days in hospital.

Dear Editor:

I have recently undergone two major surgeries in quick succession at Lions Gate Hospital including stays totaling 12 days in hospital. While this experience left me debilitated, exhausted and in a drug induced stupor for much of the time I have nothing but praise for all those involved in my care.

Over and above the pain and anxiety associated with my condition, I was nothing short of totally impressed with the professionalism, dedication and level of care from the doctors, nurses and numerous assistants assigned to caring for me.

These are the unsung heroes of the health-care system. They work long shifts in a demanding and emergency-sensitive environment, sometimes under appalling conditions and frequently with difficult and confused patients.

In my time at Lions Gate, I didn't once hear a harsh word or raised voice from any member of the staff. They go about their jobs quietly and diligently and we, the patients, are the beneficiaries.

As such an important element of our quality of life, health care and its related budget implications will always be front and centre in the political arena. But this aspect steals too much of the limelight. Let's not forget the foot soldiers, those who really make the system as efficient and successful as it is.

We all get sick at some point in our lives. I have travelled extensively and I am convinced there is no better place in the world to get sick than in Canada. Our level of health care, its reach and its cost per Canadian citizen are second to none in the world, regardless of the views of the many vocal critics.

I offer a heartfelt thank you to all those doctors, nurses and assistants at Lions Gate who recently cared for me.

Roger Burgon

West Vancouver