Below is a letter received from a recent client –

Dear PCQO and Three Bridges staff:

I’m writing to pass on my thanks and recognition to the home care nurses from the Three Bridges Community Health Centre.

I had abdominal surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital on October 31, 2014, and was discharged a week later. I was still in a lot of pain, uncertain about my recovery, and overwhelmed at the idea of dealing with a deep surgical wound on my own.

But I quickly realized I was not alone. From the day I arrived home, I was fortunate enough to be visited daily by the nurses from Three Bridges. Every morning, without fail, the nurse assigned to my case would call and set a time to come and visit me. Always right on time, he or she would arrive with a bag of supplies, and a smile. The case file they carried with them was always up-to-date and accurate, detailing all the care I had been receiving, and I could see that they had communicated with their colleagues who were also treating me.

Without exception, every nurse that came to my home was unfailingly kind, caring, and expert. Their deep knowledge of complex wound care was evident, and their willingness to answer my questions and share their expertise helped me see the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ of my recovery.

The professionalism and skill demonstrated by these nurses—coupled with their compassion and good cheer—were the only bright spot in the first few weeks of my recovery. They answered all my questions, and reassured me that they would be with me until I was fully recovered. Their  support during a time when I was in pain, frightened and unsure about my recovery made a huge difference.

My last home visit from a nurse was January 5, 2015. Her genuine delight in the fact I was now healed was truly heartwarming. I’m happy to report that I’m healthy, back at work, and feeling fantastic; a lot of that is due to these nurses.

Here in Canada, we tend to take our health care system for granted, until we need it. I have to say that I would not want to get sick in any other place than here! Our health care workers—particularly our nurses—are the best in the world.

Thank you to all the nurses at Three Bridges—you made all the difference.