Editor,

I was not surprised to read of three malpractice suits against WhidbeyHealth — an oxymoron if there ever was one. My daughter saw a doctor at the hospital for months. I was sitting with her when he told her that she had an extremely serious illness that could lead to cancer and/or the need for an organ transplant.

He was going to refer her to a specialist. Months passed, while she saw this same doctor every few weeks and despite our persistence, an appointment with a specialist never materialized. She finally saw a new doctor at Peace Health Hospital in Bellingham, who got her an immediate appointment with a specialist, and guess what? She did not have the illness the WhidbeyHealth doctor ascribed to her at all.

We spent months worrying and agonizing over this false diagnosis. It’s no wonder that the majority of island folk much prefer Island Hospital or any other than WhidbeyHealth. There are far more serious concerns than this hospital’s deserved poor reputation.

Luanne Raavel

Coupeville