Dear Editor,
As everyone knows by now, Dr. Smith is retiring at the end of the year. Less known and what I have recently learned is that Dr. Smith has offered his entire clinic, lock stock and barrel, to Interior Health at no cost to them. They could take over a fully equipped medical clinic for one or two doctors and pay nothing but the rent!
This would immediately solve the problems of the many, many elderly patients who have no transportation and who have to walk to see their doctor. This would also free up needed space at the Cascade Clinic which should be obvious to anyone who has been there. —Another bad move from Interior Health. Taking over Dr. Smith’s office would give us patients a more efficient and convenient way to see our doctors. Transportation is not always available at appointment time and is too costly for many.
I would be interested in hearing what our new Health Care Committee has to say about this offer. I have been told that one reason for having all doctors at Cascade Clinic makes it more efficient for patients to have their tests/x-rays done and that as it is a “clinic” you can visit any one of the doctors…foolish indeed.
You want a doctor who knows you through visits to him or her…
The way they are set up now, you are just another number and more time is spent with the doctors reading your file to see what they don’t know about you. Another reason I was given for having all the doctors at the Cascade Clinic is that as “new” doctors they can not afford to pay rent as they have student loans, etc., to pay off. Who doesn’t have monthly payments?
Princeton is an amazing town, fabulous people are working hard to make good lives for themselves. We deserve much more than IH has to offer!
Lynn Boyd
Princeton