Anyone believing the NHS will be there ‘from cradle to grave’, might be in for a shock.
Admitted to hospital today – particularly if they are aged 65 or over – the could be in for a shock.
Cracks showing in NHS services, have recently broadened into massive gaps. Services often no longer exist. TV and newspapers feature stories of what’s going wrong. Anyone recently an In-patient may have found the experience an ordeal – particularly if over 65.
Yes, there are wonderful uplifting stories of superb care – but there is a dark side. And it looks as if it is going to get worse.
Postcode lottery
Living in certain areas of the UK, it is impossible to obtain some services which are freely available in other areas.
Recently, I needed an infusion for Osteoporosis. I had it in London, but it was refused when I moved to Oxfordshire. However, my wonderful Rheumatologist, on secondment from Barcelona General Hospital, asked “do you want me to fight for this?” He had no allegiance to the NHS, so didn;t have to know tow to them, and thanks to him I am now receiving this in Oxford.
But when I fractured my pelvis, I found it impossible to get the physiotherapy I needed in Oxford.
Valerie C. fractured her pelvis twice; the first time was in London, where she received excellent care, including physiotherapy, which got her back on her feet. The second time was in Oxfordshire, where she was sent home from a Community hospital and told Carers would be supervising her exercise. The Carers refused, saying they weren’t trained, so she is now house-bound.
So why can Londoners source this treatment – yet we can’t get it if we break bones in Oxfordshire?
healthcare being provided and the overall performance of the health system. Darzi himself is 64, so must have some sympathy for over 65s. Darzi’s report will have a particular focus on “assessing patient access to healthcare, the quality of healthcare being provided and the overall performance of the health system“. Let us hope that his report is LISTENED TO. And doesn’t gather dust sitting on a Dept. Health shelf.
Reality today
Having been an In-patient in 28 hospitals, I had read shocking stories about what happened to others undergoing NHS care – but didn’t think it would happen to me. However, after two episodes in the mega-size John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, I am appalled at the way NHS care has dumbed down.
Nurse training is shortened; staff didn’t bother to read my admission notes; doctors aren’t on-callIn, but seem to work part-time, and infection control is a thing of the past. In one hospital there was a massive row between Physios and nurses. Doors were slammed shut so patients couldn’t hear what was going on. Physios had got fed up with slovenly nursing,, and rightly were having a go. I was totally on their side, and judging by their smiles afterwards, they won the day!
Back home, the next time I had a bad fall and had to call Paramedics, I spent time persuading the crew that I did NOT need to be taken to the John Radcliffe A & E. I was better off at home. Citing
- Infection control – I reckon my little flat is far cleaner
- lack of doctors – last time I spent three days being shunted around from one A & E to another, because I hadn’t been seen by a qualified doctor
- lack of trained nurses – I knew what needed to be done, and could ‘order’ appropriate care from my bedside; with just as much chance of getting it as I would in hospital
- no chance of me mislaying my drugs in my own home – this had happened frequently in the John Radcliffe. Staff are too busy to note which drugs have been received from the Pharmacy for which patient. So medicines go walk-about.
The Paramedics finally agreed to leave me at home – and I recovered just as quickly – probably quicker as I hadn’t picked up any HAi (hospital-acquired infection) .
There’s a massive amount of work to be done to restore confidence in the NHS. Not least getting rid of the iniquitous postcode lottery. And provide better care for the over 65s, so they don’t feel alone and ignored.
Please, Lord Darzi, do something to restore patient confidence in today’s NHS. We don;t want to find all your hard work just gathers dust on a Dept. Health shelf.