No longer have a health care provider
By Laurel (L_B)
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
Canada
November 16, 2022 7:08am CST
It is so hard to get a doctor here, the waiting list is in the 1000s. I had a nurse practitioner which is just as good. I really liked her and had been seeing her since I had my heart surgery. Last year around this time she left her practice to go else where but there was another nurse practitioner who took over so at least I had somebody to go to for blood tests, check ups, prescriptions, etc.
Yesterday I got a letter in the mail saying that she resigned and that there is nobody to take her place so it suggested we go on the doctor waiting list. I heard on the radio that three had resigned and the list has now grown by another 1500 so far.
Having health issues and not having somebody to go to is very scary. I can't even get in and see a cardiologist until I have a referral. Our healthcare is a mess here. It has really gone downhill since covid. Waiting times at the ER are 6-7 hours. Clinics are near impossible to get into.
All I can do it hope that more doctors come to the area soon but I don't see that happening.
Do you have a family doctor or are their shortages in doctors where you live too?
26 people like this
25 responses
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
16 Nov 22
The government does not treat them very fairly. They are way underpaid so they move else where.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203452)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Nov 22
@Happy2BeMe Socialized medicine can be unfair to all. I wish you the best.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48448)
• Canada
16 Nov 22
There are huge shortages here in our city, and our city is well known for the teaching hospitals that we have, yet many, my hubby included, are without a primary care physician. Our son has to take his babies an hour away to see their pediatrician. Our son has no doctor himself. Our daughter-in-law sees someone who has a closed practice.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
16 Nov 22
It is just getting worse. I hear people here dying all the time because of our health care system not being able to keep up with the demand.
1 person likes this
@Treborika (17270)
• Mombasa, Kenya
17 Nov 22
@Happy2BeMe I think it's high time for the world health organisation to chip in and fix the issue
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81538)
• Onaway, Michigan
16 Nov 22
Sorry to hear this I hope you get a doctor soon and no issues come up that you need to be seen for
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
16 Nov 22
We see a nurse practitioner and, normally, can get in to see her the same day. (Pretty called for an appointment for herself at 8 am and the appointment was for 8:30 am.)
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
17 Nov 22
@Happy2BeMe They're still accepting new patients where we go if you want to come make an appointment. 
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
17 Nov 22
That is great. It use to be like that a long time ago here.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205796)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Nov 22
@Happy2BeMe He's not a good doctor, but at least I get to see him.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
17 Nov 22
@TheHorse There is that. It good knowing you have one to go to.
1 person likes this
@Treborika (17270)
• Mombasa, Kenya
17 Nov 22
That's very glad you are able to access health services with ease.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
17 Nov 22
We fortunately have good doctors available, but I imagine they are overworked. I do know that there are nursing shortages since covid. That is for two reasons in my opinion. First the work load during the height of the pandemic was awful, nurses burned out from the stress and the trauma of so many ill. Secondly, nurses were treated badly by the public over requiring precautions and asking people to wear masks and suggesting vaccines. One nurse recently said she was frequently told she was going to hell because she was vaccinated and offered vaccines to people whom she treated in the critical care unit where she worked. She was in tears when we said we were vaccinated and thanked us for doing our part.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
17 Nov 22
I can only imagine the terrible things that they had to put up with. I know many quit the profession and moved on to something else.
@dodo19 (47082)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
17 Nov 22
@Happy2BeMe Yes I definitely am.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159081)
• Boise, Idaho
17 Nov 22
I hear of this here in the US too. I feel very lucky to live in a place where there are doctors and good hospitals. I hope that some doctors come your way and soon.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15742)
• Raurkela, India
16 Nov 22
I have my cardiologist who checks me up every two months. Here doctors don't visit home anymore as they used to earlier.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15742)
• Raurkela, India
17 Nov 22
@Happy2BeMe That's too long and risky too.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
17 Nov 22
@aninditasen yes it is. I know that but it so hard here to get the help that I need.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
16 Nov 22
That is good. I have not seen mine in over 2 years.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
16 Nov 22
Good that you have a doctor but of they are useless then that is bad too
1 person likes this
@dya80dya (33550)
•
17 Nov 22
@Happy2BeMe Yes. Good doctors are in bigger towns. We have to travel to find them.
1 person likes this
@Treborika (17270)
• Mombasa, Kenya
17 Nov 22
There are a lot of doctor graduates and other health practitioners in my country that are really don't have employment nor jobs.
1 person likes this
@Treborika (17270)
• Mombasa, Kenya
18 Nov 22
@Happy2BeMe Now lets wait for the government to do it's part
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170015)
• United States
16 Nov 22
I have been going to a clinic, which is convenient, but they don't honestly provide the best of care. I am thinking of going to a popular doctor here. He has a very good reputation. It could be he isn't taking new patients but I can check.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
17 Nov 22
It wouldnt hurt to check, He just might take you on as a patient.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
16 Nov 22
Oh, that's not good. What if you have an emergency? We have dozens of doctors here with private clinics. We even have a general hospital where indigent patients can go to.
I had thought you have one of the best health services in the world. I guess I was wrong
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
17 Nov 22
It use to be but since Covid things have really changed
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62161)
• United States
16 Nov 22
Ouch! There’s a shortage in America, but I’m personally not feeling it right now. I have a “civilian” nurse practitioner and a primary care doctor through the Veterans Affairs.
There’s a shortage in America, but I’m personally not feeling it right now. I have a “civilian” nurse practitioner and a primary care doctor through the Veterans Affairs.1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
16 Nov 22
I am glad to hear that you are well taken care of.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95225)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Nov 22
I have been ok here. My last one moved but another took her place. Hope you can find someone soon. I know here that because of the cost of insurance some are getting out of it.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73473)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Nov 22
All the best to you and I hope you find a good doctor, I have not seen one in ages and take no medications and I am thankful to the Lord for that,
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
17 Nov 22
Thank you. That is good that you are so healthy.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
16 Nov 22
That makes it hard for a lot of people. Here places like that can have 6-7 hour wait times.
