by Kathleen Boucher
Did you know that former Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas (1944-1961), the grandfather of actor Kiefer Sutherland, had a vision to see that all Canadians, regardless of wealth, have access to healthcare.¹ This dream occurred because at the age of six, he injured his knee. It got infected, and he developed osteomyelitis. After numerous failed operations, doctors advised amputation. A skilled orthopedic surgeon, offered to perform surgery for free to save Tommy’s leg if the family agreed that medical students could observe the operation. These circumstances planted a seed in young Tommy’s mind.
In 1961, all provinces across Canada agreed to initiate universal publicly funded healthcare. By 1984, the federal government passed the Canada Health Act, setting national standards for Canada’s healthcare system and establishing Medicare.¹ Medicare is a publicly funded healthcare system.
Now it’s time to fortify Canadian healthcare.
Nurses are the backbone of Canadian healthcare.
The vision to fortify Canadian healthcare is a call to action to readers to educate themselves about the role of nurses. Canadians need more young people to enter and stay in the nursing profession.
Ultimately, the Canadian Healthcare Act came into being because of a six-year-old boy’s experience and his dream as an adult that all Canadians should be able to afford healthcare. Strengthening Canadian healthcare starts with one person, the reader, who believes that they make a difference.
Never underestimate the power of your voice, your actions and your ability to support Canadian healthcare by improving nurses’ enrolment and nursing retention across Canada. In times of need, Canadians always rise to the occasion, stand united and solve problems.
Healing Canadian Healthcare: Ideas to Improve Nursing Enrolment & Retention is a slim book that aims to educate the public about the nursing profession and to ask for their assistance in boosting nursing enrolment and retention. Please read it, share it and act on it. Most importantly, act on it.
HEALING CANADIAN HEALTHCARE | Kirkus Reviews
Healing Canadian Healthcare: Ideas to Improve Nursing Enrolment & Retention | LITERARY TITAN
Healing Canadian Healthcare eBook : Boucher, Kathleen: Amazon.ca: Books
