Sometimes people in the ordinary day-to-day course of life can be myopic or centred on their own world to the exclusion of realizing the bigger picture around them.

Thus some criticisms have arisen recently about the quality of care offered at the Weyburn General Hospital, and in answer, one resident stepped forward to say when he had a medical problem, he was taken care of in a professional manner.

So which of these are we to believe about the state of health care in this city?

Each person has gone through their own experience, and for them that is the reality of the situation; normally, this is true, were it not for the need to see the bigger picture.

Letters came from both a doctor and from the regional health authority to try and explain what that bigger picture is, and this message needs to get out to the residents of Weyburn and area.

There are bound to be occasions when someone has a less-than-satisfactory reaction from health care personnel - but can we try and remember that these professionals are under a great deal of stress? They have an ongoing shortage of health care personnel and thus need to prioritize their efforts so the most urgent medical cases are taken care of.

The shortage is real, and it's province-wide, even nation-wide. There are recruitment efforts underway by the province and by the regional health authority that are very promising in terms of bringing us nurses and various other health care professionals - but those are going to take time before they start filling the vacancies in the local health care system.

The bottom line is, it's not the fault of the doctors who are here, or the nurses, that there is a shortage; they are doing their best with what resources they have, and to deal with the medical needs as they arise from patients.

If anything, as resident John McNab stated last week, the doctors and nurses and other staff need to be commended for what they are able and willing to do in the care of people's medical needs. For the doctors, they are pulling long shifts at both the hospital and in their practices, and often sacrifice a lot of themselves to do it. Many have families - how many residents out there are willing and able to do the same if they were called upon to do so for the greater good?

The problem is, if this situation goes on for any appreciable length of time, burnout starts to occur, and the shortages are then made more acute.

We all need to take a step back and consider all these things, and have some patience with the health authority, and with the doctors and nurses who are trying to do their best. If we support them and encourage them, we are much more likely to get the type of service that we want and need. - Greg Nikkel