My American friends have had a few caustic comments about the date announced for our Election – July 4th commemorates their battle for Independence from us. I wonder if this is when the Great British Public announces their Independence from historical allegiances to the major political parties?
Will it be the day when we show our independence, and vote the way that suits US?
I will be promising my vote to the local candidate who takes note of what I want. I am going to find out what is needed in my local area, particularly with regard to hospitals, and tell candidates that my vote is going to the candidate who campaigns for this.
What to vote for
- At the moment I’d vote for bringing more Military personnel into the NHS. Quietly the NHS has been encouraging those from the medical corps of the Navy, the Army, RAF and Marines to serve some time in the NHS.
They have made a fantastic difference in the local John Radcliffe Hospital A & E. This hospital was in dire trouble and called in the Forces to provide much-needed improvements. Last year I spent 5 weeks in its SSIP Ward, and they could have done with some military discipline to sort out this NHS version of Fawlty Towers,
Meanwhile, you could easily spend 12 hours or more being seen in their A&E. But the last time I ended up in Acute A & E, I was in and out in under four hours!Thanks to the Military personnel now working there.
This time, as my ambulance arrived at the entrance to the 1,000-bed John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, I resigned myself to a long wait in the Car Park. Not a bit of it; I was whisked in almost immediately, and found myself looking up to a Naval Surgeon Commander bending over me.
Looking around from my Trolley, everything seemed to be working super efficiently. The floor was spotless; none of the usual bits of fluff, tissue and cotton wool balls etc. lying around. There was a bright air of clean efficiency – a joy for this patient . I was in and out within four hours – what the NHS strives to achieve.
So I shall be asking local candidates, either at meetings or by e-mail, what support they will be giving local hospitals asking the Forces to release their medical personnel to continue working in the NHS, getting the message over that the NHS needs support from the Forces. (and, dare I mention,to learn from them particularly with regard to infection control).
2/ OR/ I might suggest to Diabetic friends that they campaign to remove the prescription charge for diabetic testing strips. Why should those with diabetes be singled out for a charge? It’s more of the infamous Post Code lottery and is not fair. In fact there should NOT be a Post Code lottery charge anywhere in Britain.
Let’s ask would-be candidates if they think it fair, shall we?
my husband was a SAS- trained Royal Marine. Putting friends he had fought and lived with (to keep us safe) into body bags did not diminish his empathy one iota; never ashamed to be seen shedding a tear. He could easily manage on 4 hours ‘proper’ sleep and wake himself up at the correct time: as they were taught to. Staying icily calm if confronted by intruders, trouble making ignoramus.
He could (did) lift any vehicle stuck in mud – then scrupulously clean himself, his clothing to within an inch of its life as our carehomes and hospitals should be. His
shoes were as polished as his vehicle, to enable him to see clearly wherever he had to go. If our army, our hospitals and emergency services were to include just 50% of these proper manly men, we would all sleep peacefully. And he would cheerfully, with respect, patiently but firmly teach the other 50%.
I cannot understand how it is that the Serices can train their personnel to apply basic principles of hygiene and cleanliness, yet the NHS falls down so badly. Let’s hope we get more military-trained personnel in our hospitals.