In response to Ms Gashill’s question (“Soundoff,” Sept. 6) about what’s going on at Whidbey General Hospital, I would like to offer my perspective on just that. I have been a patient at WGH a number of times over the years, and as recently as July 2003. My observation is that much needed improvements are being made to accommodate the growing health care needs of our community, and advance the efficiency of the hospital in general.

I remember before construction began, the Medical Ambulatory Clinic (oncology) was so small and crowded that insuring privacy and dignity to patients in the MAC posed a difficult challenge. Likewise, there was challenge for discretion with patients at the admitting desks. If you have visited the hospital since the reconstruction, you know that privacy is now easily attainable in these departments. These are only a few small examples of the much-needed improvements taking place.

I have heard of the “Patients First” philosophy the hospital has recently embraced, and I can tell you from a patient’s perspective, the results are a welcome change. All it takes is a visit before and after to know that tremendous improvements have been made in Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency and Rehabilitation services, the MAC and the general layout of the departments in relationship to one another. It is obvious to me that the reconstructed hospital was not just about a new lobby, however much needed advancements in order to better serve our community.

I have also experienced first hand the care and accommodations at several other hospitals in the area including Overlake, Swedish, U of W, and Children’s. If you want to talk about “opulent” or “luxurious” hospitals, I suggest a visit to one of these. Though it is aesthetically more pleasing to the eye, and far more efficient regarding general operations (no pun intended), I consider the new construction at WGH to be no more than privacy and dignity standards in our community dictate.

Lynette Schultz

Oak Harbor