The Buckets by Greg Cravens for March 30, 2015

That’s a crowded ER waiting room. They must be at a city hospital.

Sorry Larry.

Must be the old “St. Joe’s” in London … I went in bleeding profusely (actually required stitches!) and left the ER after 3 hours waiting. Went out to the taxi stand, and took a taxi 8km to the next hospital. Was in and out of THAT ER (University of Western Ontario Teaching Hospital) in 20 minutes. Went back to St. Joe’s to see how long it would take them, and they said “It’ll be around 7am before we see you. It’s 1:45am now.” I laughed, and said loud enough for several patients to hear "I was in and out of University Hospital in 20 minutes. People should go there… " a dozen people left, the nurse gave me a dirty look, Security escorted me out the door. I walked home. :D It was a good night.

There are always people who are worse off than you, Larry.

Even though it might not feel like it right now.

xxx

73.7% of all factual statistics are invented on the spot.

Not familiar with current ER protocols, are you? Coming in by ambo doesn’t guarantee you a place at the head of the line. You’ll still be triaged; if you’re walking wounded, you’ll still go to the back of the line.

No rational soul – only a leftist – would prefer health care by the government.

I was in a car accident (my Ford Escort was hit by a semi). I was fortunate to have only minor injuries requiring a few stitches and some whiplash and didn’t take an ambulance to the ER. The accident was at 7am. I got stitched up at 4pm.

What @K M said. Ambulance ride does not put you to the front of the line. Whether in USA or here in Canada. All patients are triaged. I just found out today that the busiest firehall in Canada is Station 2 – about a 20-25 minute walk from where I live. They service a four block area. Get over 600 calls a month. Usually averaging around 650. And they are ranked about 6th busiest in North America. Things you learn on the news.

Just talkin’ ER wait times, NG49, with the four-hour wait times figure right out of a British govt report.