More doctors needed at hospital

Editor,
I was pleased to see that the hospital bond issue passed Saturday, but only about 5 percent of registered voters were concerned enough to exercise their duty and privilege to vote. But I’ll bet that in the future many residents will be in the emergency room and be very pleased at what they see.

Mr. Fred Martinez’s letter in the last issue of the Herald-Guide was very specific about why the hospital needed $11.5 million dollars for improvements, but he left out one important item which is in need of attention.

I had occasion to be in the ER several times over the past few years. From what I observed while there was the absence of physicians to attend to patients. To me, that is the major reason for the long waiting times and not the lack of space for patients. When I was there, only one physician was on duty and they all happen to be part time. All of the physicians are freelance with no office for practice.

How many patients can one doctor attend to at one time? I have seen as many as eight patients looking for attention and maybe two or three had seen the doctor. Others were just waiting.

And then there is the problem with getting lab results in a timely fashion. That causes more delays for the doctor to contend with. That is something that needs to be addressed. But, I am looking forward to seeing the new lab as a visitor and not a patient.

I know Mr. Martinez will make sure it will be a state-of-the-art facility along with all the other improvements to be done.

Cletus Martin,
Luling

 

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