The Dumont Team
It has been weighing on my mind, that I may have given the impreeion that I have been putting the Moncton team down. While I have a couple of gripes, but they are a wonderful bunch. I have been a civil servant for 20 years & my criticisms are 95% systemic. The government system is notorious for expecting those in the system to do more with less and unfulfilled promises to it's employees. What is for support is inadequate, and I am sure the Moncton team is working it's "tail" off. Yes I had a call not returned and a few other complaints, but I have have calls etc. because I am so busy. I could blame the individuals, but I know better- it is the system that is not providing necassary manpower. I know that the easy way out is to pick on the employee and that is what happens in large systems who don't want to spend money.
\Hey Charline, stop kicking yourself! Venting is what this forum is all about weather our minds change like the wind. I am sure that anyone who takes the time to read what you write, understands that you are a very intelligent, fair person and I am willing to bet that everyone respects what you have to say be it a rant or not. You are entitled to rant if you want with no opologies necessary. So, go easy on yourself girl, We still love you.... Sugarbear
I don't think of it as a rant because I want to do something about the services available here in Fredericton. Whether I succeed or not is another story. Nor do I see it a just venting this time, for the same reason. I wrote the above because it is true and I don't want to alienate the Moncton crew. I want their help in setting something here- as resource for information; not to put on the group. They have enough to do.I have been referred to a dietition here that is supposed to know something about bariatric patients. I am going to try to get some help from her department for a support group. I have several friends on the social work and psychology staff and they are going to be hit up too. I want to look into a hospital based support group, that won't cost the hospital for more than a room and the occasional on-staff speaker's time. I know that there isn't an money for any new program- medical or otherwise. The current focus is for computer systems for administration. I don't expect monetary help Today I was thinking that we could do a clothing swap where a small fee is charged for each piece to fund the coffee and tea meeting costs. I am thinking the group could recruit professionals for short 30 minute lectures and other meetings could have sessions geared to food addiction and related issues. This would be followed by informal social time. In the end the real magic of such groups is the mutual support. These are high hopes, but if the system is not going to provide the support needed, then we have to do it ourselves.
Well, I want it understood that I just want to work on improving the situation. I don't want to alienate anyone, especially my best source of support, the Dumont team. I do tend to call a spade a spade, not a heart or diamond and sometime it can upsets people. To me, pointing out the shortfalls, is not the same as criticizing individuals. It is the first step in improving things. I work in an area where most of the people we work for, don't appreciate what we are doing and why we do it. The child welfare system is full of excellent people who work under extremely difficult, stressful conditions. That not withstanding, I could talk for hours on the short comings of the child welfare system everywhere. We are understaffed and lack resources. The same is true of the bariatric support system. You may have excellent people doing an excellent job, but you do what you can to get more excellent people and resources. You don't pretend the shortfalls don't exist. It is not acceptable that we have a surgeon with the skill to save the lives of so many obese people with a 5 to 7 year waiting list. We need several more like him. That none of us receive a psych evaluation is not Dr B's or the psychologist's fault. It is not a reflection of their skill or dedication. It is a reflection of the short comings of the system and it's inadequate funding.