A couple of days off

I have been at home for the last couple of days and it has given me time to reflect on many things not the least of which is the way the local health system operates. I had an industrial accident at work and managed to pinch the end of my finger So much so it had to be amputated, just the first knuckle, (anyone notice the speed at which I am typing now?). The experience was interesting. Arriving at the NHH, in a police car. I managed to flag down one of our local guys just as it happened and said "I have to go to the hospital". This police car bit is topical as I would say that it probably would not have happened under the OPP style of policing. Being immediately triaged was good for me but bad for the packed waiting room. I was told later that an unnamed person did mutter to the accompanying police person "If you want the finger saved you probably came to the wrong hospital" Cut (no pun intended) a long story short the finger was sutured in place and an appointment was made to see a plastic surgeon in Bowmanville later that day. As someone commented later, "Big shiny place but no doctors!" Arrived in B'ville at the appointed time and was admitted in a place that looked like wartime air raid shelter, nice people crappy surroundings. Went to sit in the waiting room and listened to how a youth had been stabbed at a field party and was shown a new scar to go with the story, he was waiting too. one hour and three quarters later the surgeon turned up. Another delay as the CD given to me by the NHH was defective and couldn't be read so more x-rays. Finally on the table, again in what looked like a cubbyhole immediately off the main entrance, I had the finger very expertly tidied up and was on my way.
Lessons to be learned:

• Don't put your fingers where they shouldn't be unless you want to lose them
• Don't judge the level of care by the surroundings - Cobourg shiny, no docs, B'ville grungy but docs