One of the most baffling things about my time at MCMH would be how people would show up to a place called "Accident & Emergency" with minor clinical issues then get upset when medical staff gives the sicker patients priority.

I used to get cursed out at least 3 times a week by people with illnesses that could be safely treated at one of the district clinic/Doctor's offices. Meanwhile, someone's mother/father/grandparent would be very quiet and so very sick right behind one of the nearby curtains.

I would try to explain the situation to people. I am only one person and there are only 60 minutes in an hour. It takes time to provide care for people who have serious medical problems or have been in a traumatic event. I can't just leave them there to see whoever came first.

Some people would understand and relax but others.... About 2 people tried to swing on me. A couple people (adults!) have tried to bite me. A guy said he would chop me up because I wasn't taking care of his gf's black eye fast enough even though he was the one who hit her.

Despite all of that, I would spend on average about 10 hours of unpaid overtime per week taking care people. And I'm not the only one doing that nor was I the most hard working healthcare worker at the hospital.

I distinctly remember somebody telling me " I hope you have a f-d up Christmas" after I apologized for not being able to see their family member. Anyways, this thread was just my way of letting you guys know what it's like on the other side of the fence.

Yes, there is much room for improvement for healthcare in SVG. Yes, healthcare workers can be callous and unprofessional at times. At the end of the day though, most of us work really hard to provide care and many people benefit from the services given.