[ad_1]
Courtesy crucial on shared trails
Re: Cyclists take over sidewalks (Letters, Aug. 19)
Letter writer Ann Timonin is rightfully upset that some cyclists dangerously use city sidewalks at pedestrians’ expense. She should be aware that, because of the very disjointed and unconnected nature of many of Winnipeg’s cycling paths, this behaviour is often and sadly inevitable.
There is also the phenomenon of pedestrians and joggers persistently and unceasingly consuming more space on the active transportation trails than they ought to be, oftentimes with an empty sidewalk a stone’s throw away. Encountering a single pedestrian walking in the centre of a “bike” trail, two or three pedestrians walking abreast, or the ubiquitous 15-foot dog leash blocking the entire width of the path is an everyday irritant to the cyclist.
It is hard to blame anyone for their transgressions when the city does absolutely nothing by way of public education or to post signs indicating to both pedestrians and cyclists that this is a mixed-use path and that everybody should keep as far to the right as possible.
Even though sidewalks are occasionally the safest option available, cyclists should use them only as a very last resort, and then only proceed at a snail’s pace, yielding or stopping for all pedestrians. On mixed-use paths, until the city hires somebody within the active transportation department who will actively listen and respond to the valid safety concerns citizens have, cyclists should proceed at a safe speed, courteously ring our bells and politely thank the person who eventually gets out of our way. And pedestrians ought to maintain common sense and courtesy to stay as far to the right as practical.
We’re all going somewhere — let’s try to stay in our lanes and get along.
Howard Warren
Winnipeg
At 80, Neville too old for post
Re: Former MP Neville named Manitoba’s next lieutenant governor (Aug. 16)
Am I the only one who thinks it is absurd that this position is being given to someone who is 80 years of age? I guess the concept of the need for some “young blood” no longer applies.
Brian Short
Stonewall
Physicians’ regulator improving
Re: Regulatory body’s secretive approach protects physicians at the expense of patient safety (June 17)
As a regulator, the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba expects doctors to review and improve their practice continuously. As the registrar of the CPSM, I believe we must hold ourselves to the same standard.
When we hear individuals question our commitment to the public, we realize we need to do better. We do not take for granted the trust placed in us to regulate the medical profession.
We recognize submitting a complaint of patient concerns can cause anxiety and vulnerability, especially when related to a traumatic experience. Sexual abuse complaints are rare, but when received, they are prioritized. CPSM acts swiftly to protect the public by imposing necessary conditions or removing the physician from practice while we investigate. The public deserves transparency, but complainants also deserve privacy and protection.
While there has been much criticism in recent articles, the reality is we must comply with legal principles and legislation. Critics have failed to recognize the extent of public representation in all areas of our organization, including in the decision-making processes related to complaints and investigations.
Our processes are not what they were three years ago; we have increased transparency and public engagement. Our complaints process has also changed. We added a social worker as a public support adviser to communicate with and support complainants. We also encourage feedback at the end of the complaints process and, through this feedback, we are improving trauma-informed interactions.
CPSM exists to ensure the safe and ethical delivery of quality medical care and to protect the public when doctors fall short. We recognize the importance of trust in the profession. We are committed to upholding that trust.
Anna Ziomek, MD
Winnipeg
More graduate students needed
Re: Academics urge feds to boost supports (Aug. 15)
Increased funding for graduate scholarships is needed to better support university research across Canada.
An additional issue for Manitoba is the inadequate number of such scholarships awarded to the province relative to our 3.6 per cent of Canada’s population. Over the past 10 years, our students have received only 1.5 per cent of the $1.56 billion in student support awarded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. Similar shortfalls occur for other granting agencies.
A major reason for our lack of success is that Manitoba has few graduate students relative to our population. In 2019 we graduated only 2.05 per cent of Canada’s PhDs. More graduate students would bring additional training dollars to the province and would also increase faculty research funding, another area in which we lag behind as a province and a major source of graduate student support.
Improving this performance and strengthening our image as a research-oriented province depends on adequate support for universities and faculty from within the province. Institutions need funds for the infrastructure and support staff required for research and to attract and retain productive academics.
Jim Clark
Winnipeg
Health system options abound
Re: Fourteen friends who care (Letters, Aug. 12)
I wholeheartedly agree with writer Marion McKay’s assessment of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s “home is best” agenda as its way of exploiting family and friends to care for people who can no longer care for themselves.
When my mom was under the WRHA palliative home “care” program, nurses visited once a week. I had to take a leave of absence from work to care for her. She hoped to be admitted to hospice, and for three months in 2020 asked for a referral, before she died at home. Information we obtained under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act showed there were several days during my mom’s illness when there were empty beds at the hospice and as few as two other people on the wait list the month she died. The director has refused to meet with me to discuss my concerns.
It’s time for Manitobans to demand better. We have an expensive system that refuses to learn from its mistakes and cares little about its employees, the people it serves and their support systems, whether that is family or friends.
There are many good examples of evidence-informed health systems transforming to put those they serve, as well as their loved ones, at the centre of the services they provide. The Quadruple Aim advocates for improving patient experience, reducing cost, advancing population health and the provider experience. The Nuka system is a relationship-based, customer-owned approach to transforming health care, improving outcomes and reducing costs.
The Learning Health System requires strategic direction, a culture of learning and a scientific approach to implementation, and must be co-designed by the stakeholders and continually evaluated. Organizations around the world use Collective Impact, which actively engages those affected by issues to be part of the solution.
What is lacking in Manitoba is the political will to abandon what’s broken and start fresh. All of you deserve better before you or a loved one are in the same predicament.
Colleen Bytheway
Winnipeg
[ad_2]
Source link