There have been many letters lately about the loss of bed space in our Oliver Hospital. The inconvenience of the doubling up of beds in a small room, the lack of chairs for visitors and adequate room for the nurses to maneuver their equipment into the rooms for treating their patients are all concerns that have been expressed.

I have just spent nine days in the Oliver Hospital and in  spite of these concerns I was treated with the utmost of care at all times. From the moment I was taken in to the Emergency Ward until I left the Hospital I was treated with the utmost respect and genuine concern. The medical staff is to be commended for their positive, cheerful and sunny dispositions. No matter what time of day or night they attended to you it is with care and moral support. When tears were shed they were compassionate, understanding and encouraging.

Many hours went by with laughter, teasing and healthy camaraderie. The X-ray technicians, the lab technicians, the nurse’s aides, the kitchen staff, the housekeeping staff all treat the patients with care and encouragement.

I also had the pleasure of meeting the paramedics through three trips to Penticton by ambulance. I cannot say enough about the excellent care provided by these wonderful attendants. The concern expressed by each of the attendants for the comfort and safety of their passengers is awesome.

My husband had had Laser surgery two days before I was admitted to Hospital and had follow up treatments by a nurse in our own home every day for two and a half weeks. My mother broke a bone in her leg in July and has had a Home Care provider come to her visit her every day while she is in Oliver.

All in all I want to express the fact that we are so blessed to have this incredible facility here in Oliver with the utmost care of the Medical Staff. The care provided in our own homes is to be commended as well.

We three are all on the road to recovery and are deeply indebted to the care of the Medical Profession in our Community.

Sally M. Franks