Today's letters: Hospital parking and transit should be priorities

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Hospital parking shortage hurts the neighbours too

Re: Ticketing people who can’t find hospital parking isn’t right, June 6.

I have been on both sides of this hospital parking issue. To residents who live near hospitals, bylaw officers are heroes. We have had streets so crowded that ambulances, school buses, Para Transpo, garbage trucks, snow plows and even residents with vans could not drive down the street. It was especially sad when health-care workers giving palliative care could not access a home. Some residents have missed medical appointments they waited months for, because someone parked on the street, blocking their driveway exit.

Hospitals always assure local residents that they have sufficient parking. Then they tell patients there is sufficient parking on nearby streets. Some hospital employees have told residents it is cheaper for them to pay for two parking tickets a month than to pay for parking at the hospital.

I, too, have had difficulty accessing health care at other local hospitals. For those of us requiring wheelchair access, wheelchair parking or wheelchair transportation, it is even worse.

The people to blame are hospital board members whose only answer is to take over part of the Central Experimental Farm. Why is the new “Civic” campus is not being built along the main LRT line at Tunney’s Pasture?

I believe the mayors of all local communities in the area that The Ottawa Hospital services should be on its board. Transportation, access and parking availability to the new hospital should have been key criteria used in determining the hospital location.

Grace McClelland-Crout, Ottawa

Widen testing for breast cancer

Re: Canadian task force updating breast screening guidelines, amid push for screening at age 40, June 9.

Speaking from personal experience and being a strong proponent and? fundraiser for breast cancer research, I believe every young woman, regardless of her age, with breast cancer in her female family blood line should be tested.

My late mother, my sister and I have all had breast cancer. Now my granddaughter, in her 30s, is on the same journey. Hers is a more aggressive variety. Could she have benefited from an earlier test? We will never know but Dr. Jean Seely and her research at OHRI may be able to find the answer — to help others. Good luck.

Jackie Holzman, Ottawa

Kudos to Di Rienzo grocery

I recently battled weekend road closures and gridlock on Highway 174 to pick up a surprise treat for my husband, who has been supporting me through the death of two close family members. After a 50-minute drive from Cumberland, I was warmly greeted by the owner and staff at Di Rienzo grocery in Little Italy. Unfortunately, I was unaware that they did not accept debit or credit and I had arrived with almost no cash. I managed to find a $5 bill but the cost of the item was $12.

Without hesitation, they insisted that the item was fully paid for. They could not have known what a difference that small act of kindness made at a time of great personal loss. The bonus?? Their fresh cannolis were absolutely delicious. Thank you Di Rienzo!

Gail Graham, Cumberland