Nhs Care

[nailedit]

The NHS get a lot of flack but with the week ive just spent in hospital I couldn't find a single thing to complain about.

The unit was spotless, the food first rate with a wide choice and everyone from the cleaners to the medics were friendly, helpful, and non judgmental and couldnt do enough for you no matter how busy they were.

Not a qustion as such, just an observation....

[Hazlinny]

On two recent very brief stays in hospital, I found the same, Nailedit, and the staff seemed happy.  One of the units was a particularly busy one but staff were always on hand to have a brief chat with patients.

[bookbinder]

My wife has spent a fair amount of time in NHS and private hospitals. She says that the NHS hospitals are the best. The private hospitals' staff behaved as if they couldn't get rid of her quickly enough.

[bednobs]

great!

i dont know if you meant to sound censurous about people moaning about the NHS but you are one of them 😉

[nailedit]

//i dont know if you meant to sound censurous about people moaning about the NHS but you are one of them 😉//

 

Ive done my fare share of moaning about the red tape around the NHS but the actual care that ive received this week has been exceptional.

[roopower]

That's good to hear and even better that you've told us. Quite often people are quick to tell about the bad things and ignore the good. Take care. 

[Tilly2]

How's it going, Nails? 

[Barmaid]

I really think the staff on the ground do a cracking job.  My father was in hospital last week and I could not find any fault with the care and attention he received.

On the other hand, the admin could do with a kick up the bum.  Mr BM has been waiting for an op for over a year now.  He has had two letters (surveys) asking for his views on the care he received after the op he has not yet had!

[New Judge]

"Ive done my fare share of moaning about the red tape around the NHS but the actual care that ive received this week has been exceptional."

I don't doubt that's true. Unfortunately I'm unlikely to find out. I have a problem which is causing me some pain and difficulty and I've been told it cannot be addressed for upwards of a year. I'm fortunate because I've plenty of money and have just decided to spend a large number of £££s to have it fixed privately. The galling thing is that, among the sawbones whom I'm looking at to deal with it, one is the consultant whose secretary told me the length of the NHS waiting list. I shall not be choosing him on principle.

Anybody in my position who does not have so much spare cash would be facing a year of pain and discomfort which is likely to seriously impact their quality of life.

It doesn't matter how good the service is, if you can't get to use it it is of no benefit whatsoever. 

[Atheist]

Nailedit, now that you have been away from AB and booze for a bit you sound much nicer and less grumpy and more literate. It's a pleasure to hear from you. I wish you well.

[david small]

It's nice to hear some positivity about our NHS.

[Canary42]

I think it depends on individual hospitals (and even different wards).  In my late mother's final years I saw both good and bad (fortunately former predominated but two bad ones were awful - the sort which does get the NHS a bad reputation).

I won't name names, except that pride of place goes to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Brundall Ward.

[Tilly2]

The worst thing about the NHS is the difficulty in actually getting to see a GP. Once you are in the system, and being dealt with, the service is excellent.

[Canary42]

The hard-pressed staff certainly need something more rewarding than the banging of saucepans outside our front doors.

[jourdain2]

I can't fault our GP service and nurses, they're lovely.  The problem comes when you hit (or try to ) the outside and hospital systems.

The massive problems are caused by bad management and beaurocracy - and huge delays.  After over a year of waiting, OH's leg vein op has been cancelled a week before date.  I'm told that this is normal.

No complaints about individual staff - it's the system!  That is rubbish as are individual  areas e.g. Physio...NHS offering is only just recognisable as such and(as a NHS  phsio said to me ruefully "Rubbish, isn't it?"  After 20 yrs of experience - I had to concur.

[Atheist]

jourdain; It's not necessarily bad management. They have to operate within budgets and availability of medical staff. If they don't have physios or surgeons then what can they do?

[jno]

I don't think that's always true, Tilly. My GPs have to refer me on to local providers, who can still be slow as a wet week. (Three weeks to get a scan, another three weeks before I got the results.) The GPs themselves always find a slot for those who sound urgent.