Practise patience when visiting the hospital
LETTER OF THE DAY
Posted By
Posted 23 days ago
Is it really worth the risk?
I volunteer at Royal Victoria Hospital on Thursday evenings on the maternity floor.
Recently, I volunteered to 'man' the door.
Not sure the public knows, but there is H1N1 in the neighbourhood and the hospital is trying very hard to contain/prevent the spread.
Now I know new babies are exciting, you want to see them, but is it really worth the risk it poses to them?
I think I screened around 20 visitors tonight and 80% were very understanding.
The rule is: no children, only two visitors and they must sign a screening form asking if they have had any symptoms.
One couple and their toddler were very upset that they could not visit. The young lady was very profane in her comments, with her toddler in tow I might add.
Now I know she was frustrated as she was getting mixed messages from several people, but really.
The babies are so fragile. Can you not wait until the next day to visit at their home? The hospital has to react quickly when situations arise, and unfortunately sometimes not everyone receives the information at the same time.
Patience would be nice, and keep the language at home.
Another father with children in special-care nursery was very upset that he was told earlier that his daughter could not visit.
He was very verbal (but not profane) and the grandparents came to visit and had to sign in, which he thought was ridiculous.
As I was watching these two separate incidents, I noticed that both individuals put their hands to their mouth (especially the young lady with the toddler), touched the doors, the railings and did not sanitize.
Now they may have been germ-free coming in, but who knows if they were after touching various things.
I am surprised at the attitude of some, not all.
Most are understanding.
I know if my daughter or granddaughter, or mother, were in the hospital, I would hope that all precautions were taken and if that meant they couldn't have certain visitors for a few days then so be it.
Vivienne Faulkner Innisfil
