High praise for The Ottawa Hospital staff<\/p>\n
Re: The Ottawa Hospital limits number of layoffs to 17<\/a><\/p>\n My 79-year-old husband with Parkinson’s recently spent two stints at The Ottawa Hospital General campus under crisis situations. Yes, we spent close to 12 hours in emergency each time. Part of that time was spent waiting to see a doctor, with the rest spent sitting tight while we waited for a badly needed hospital bed. The care we received in a crazy-busy emergency department was outstanding in every way. I was amazed at the stress emergency staff operate under, yet they remained cool, calm and compassionate.<\/p>\n Once admitted, we spent seven days on 6th Floor West, where we also received outstanding care at every turn \u2014 and this was a heavy medical ward with people sicker than my husband.<\/p>\n We got ourselves discharged, though not with great news. But having someone with Parkinson’s lie horizontal for seven days is about the worst thing you can do. We left with a catheter, and he was slowly gaining his strength back. Unfortunately, as is common, he developed an infection and, after six days, ended up back in emergency in dire straits yet again.<\/p>\n This time, we were admitted to 8th Floor West, another heavy medical ward where, again, the care we received was phenomenal in every way. I can’t praise all staff enough. And when I say staff, I mean not only the doctors and nurses, but ward administration staff, the PSWs, the cleaners and the people who deliver and pick up hospital meals. The PSWs, in particular, I think, do not receive the recognition and praise they so richly deserve.<\/p>\n Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. But I challenge anyone involved in cutting any health-care staff to spend a week confined to a bed, with none or limited family support (not in our case), and then decide if they really want to approve those cuts.<\/p>\n Erin Scullion and Douglas McKercher, Ottawa<\/p>\n Propellers for the Snowbirds? Pathetic<\/p>\n It is utterly embarrassing and disgusting that the Snowbirds’ chosen replacement aircraft is to be a propeller aircraft and that the Snowbirds will be shelved for several years.<\/p>\n The Snowbirds are Canadian ambassadors<\/a> around the world, and for them to perform with non-jet-propelled aircraft is pathetic and restricts their ability to perform to the pilots’ skill level and creativity.<\/p>\n For there to be such a long delay (the replacement CT-157 Siskin II planes are to arrive in the early 2030s) displays the lack of critical planning and true Canadian pride the government is showing towards this elite international performance team.<\/p>\n Michael Blais, Ottawa<\/p>\n A 12-year-old speaks up, and we should listen<\/p>\n What a refreshing letter<\/a> by 12-year-old Isla McClelland. She calls on us all to think of her generation of the future as climate disasters continue to strike all areas of our world.<\/p>\n We regrettably see more emphasis on the arms race that destroys, pollutes and kills many people and nature around the world.<\/p>\n What will we do to give healing to our planet and ourselves rather than continue to destroy it? Maybe we need more young people to wake up our leaders and us to take action on this journey.<\/p>\n Helena Robb, Orl\u00e9ans<\/p>\n Canada should reinvest in helping educate the world<\/p>\n During times of war, education is the first thing sacrificed, and yet it is the foundation a child needs most to imagine a future beyond devastation.<\/p>\n Low- and lower-middle-income countries that rely heavily on external financing for education are expected to have lost 20 per cent of their education aid in 2026, with a further loss of 25 per cent projected by 2027. This is a massive cut to countries already struggling to provide the elements children need to grow to their full potential and understand the world that surrounds them. Research shows that countries that invest in their education systems are more likely to cultivate citizens who actively contribute to the economy and strengthen the nation as a whole.<\/p>\n With many children being forced out of schools, Canada has a chance to stop its cuts to international aid towards education in its 2026 federal budget and reinvest in our world. Together, we can build a brighter, more educated future.<\/p>\n Madeleine Harvey, Ottawa<\/p>\n Thank you, Mohammed Adam, for the digital campaign update<\/p>\n Thank you, Mohammed Adam, for your article, “Which mayoral candidate has the best digital campaign<\/a>.”<\/p>\n I am grateful for this article because, as a 94-year-old, my digital presence on social media is negligible.<\/p>\n I am very happy to be able to use email, read articles and do some writing.<\/p>\n I was taken by surprise to read that Neil Saravanamuttoo has a Gaza video in which he calls the Gaza war a genocide and he promises to raise the Palestinian flag at city hall if elected.<\/p>\n I asked myself, “What does this have to do with his run for mayor?”<\/p>\n Perhaps he is light on campaign material, lacking in ideas to present to Ottawa citizens about why we should vote him in as mayor.<\/p>\n There are plenty of municipal issues; surely Mr. Saravanamuttoo, you can identify and tackle more of the outstanding concerns of Ottawa citizens.<\/p>\n Sheila Baslaw, Ottawa<\/p>\n Do you have an opinion or idea you want to share with thousands of smart Ottawa Citizen readers? Good news, you can write to us too, at letters@ottawacitizen.com<\/a><\/p>\n