Tim Shanasy, Byron Bay
If anyone has doubts about our new hospital, then maybe you’ll be interested in this. I was fortunate to have an accident on Saturday mid-afternoon, and was driven to the emergency department.
It was quiet, and I was ushered into one of the swish bays to be attended to. The fine workmanship of finish, colour scheme, LED lighting, acoustics and general architecture had me transfixed, trying to get a reality check, as my belief system had me alternating through what seemed to be a spaceship, then luxury submarine, but then possibly a hospital again. Quite a wondrous distraction, between the efforts of the highly competent doctors and nurses with many decades of raw experience, with all the modern gear to boot, to help determine a good outcome.
Was I afraid of dying? Heck no. This was entertainment to die for. Almost!
Upon being discharged after two hours, I couldn’t help realising just how incredibly lucky we are to have some of the best coastal lifestyles on the planet and to also have this remarkable recovery facility sitting at Ewingsdale, just in case any of us needs it. So if you loved the old hospital, as I did, and you’re a bit sceptical of the new one, as I was, then be patient to be a patient, then see what you think.
no surprise that Tim Shanasy would think that everyone would have the same experience as him! Of course the place looks nice and flash, but unfortunately it is still severely under staffed.
A few weeks ago I had to make a trip to the Byron Hospital and with about 20 people waiting in the Emergency I waited about 3 hours to see a doctor. It was a weekday and yet the cafe wasn’t open for refreshments. I finally saw the doctor who was a lovely guy but he had no idea how to help me anyway so I ended up going home.
Then there’s how they have an ultrasound machine, but no one there to use it. And they only do low risk pregnancies so are unable to accommodate a lot of women including myself (i’m having twins). I heard they still don’t even have a surgery. Yeh great.