LETTER

Aylmer’s health co-op

 

Eight years ago, when I moved from Montreal to be close to my children, I joined the co-op. At first, it was great, and then it was not. At first, you could call for a appointment and sometimes get it on the same day, or you could show up as a walk-in. Soon, getting that appointment became difficult, and the walk-in became something of the past.  

The website recently actually said, "If you do not have a family doctor, then appointments are difficult, and please do not show up in the morning." This is even though you are a shareholder and paid your yearly fee -- over $100 per person.

I am assuming the downfall came when all the doctors met their quota for patients and the co-op became simply a doctors’ office.  Our yearly bill still came in the mail, and I once got a overdue notice. I stopped paying, because what fool is going to pay for a service that he can't use?  Thus they have financial problems, because I am sure I am not the only one (not paying).

Then all the doctors left with their patients, and they do not take walk-ins at the new building. The losers are the citizens of Aylmer who must go to Ottawa or the hospital, God forbid, to get medical care. It’s unthinkable that a population the size of Aylmer does not have a walk-in medical facility  

If the Co-op plans to reopen, using successful clinics’ plans would be a very good idea, as would taking ownership for the first downfall.

Pat Anka
Aylmer