Re: “In a scrum room without walls, specialists connect to help patients,” Feb. 10.

At long last, the professionals who deliver health-care services have come up with a workable solution to long and painful wait times for orthopedic patients.

In 2006, my hip crumbled and putting weight on it was out of the question. I was told I’d have to wait a year to see an orthopedic surgeon, then another year for hip-replacement surgery. In those “good old days,” joint replacement was considered “cosmetic” surgery. Tell that to anyone living with the pain and restrictions that a deteriorated joint can cause.

At that point, I would have been more than willing to have my hip replaced by the next surgeon in line, knowing they all are fully qualified to do the job. Do we wait hours for a specific bank teller or supermarket cashier?

The idea of “one-stop care” makes perfect sense to me. Why can’t our Health Ministry and the Vancouver Island Health Authority planners think as logically as those who have worked hard to bring this clinic into being?

I’m not planning to visit you any time soon, but it’s comforting to know you’re there should I need you.

Lorie Bennett

Victoria

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