My experience of health services abroad, be it their incompetence/poor facilities or their extortionate costs has shown me time and time again how fantastic the NHS is. It is something we should cherish and properly support
Really nice story Bob, and good on you for writing such a heart warming tribute about the people who helped you. Here’s to a speedy recovery for you, and a good Christmas.
Speedy recovery Bob but er if you found yourself too unfit and unable to take up your ringside tickets in Manchester......
First thoughts were I’m missing a big do in London tonight, then it turned to how will they cope at work without me - but then all of that was replaced with ‘I am not missing Groves/Eubank!
A speedy recovery to you sir. It’s good to hear people say good positive things about our NHS instead of the negatives. Like most of the population, I too have had various trips to A&E and other parts of the health service over the years. They have always been there for me when I’ve needed a few stitches or bone set or something removed and no one ever mentioned where to send the bill. Unlike some parts of the western world.
Firstly, get well soon Bob and make sure you do what your lovely wife tells you! Now retired, I spent nearly 40 years working for the NHS, (Guy's and then locally) so probably a bit biased. Generally speaking when you need emergency treatment, you can't beat it. OK, you can wait several hours to be seen but you know that no matter what needs to be done by way of x-rays, treatment etc, you are not sitting there thinking 'how much is all this costing me, what sort of bill am I running up?. This is what the NHS is all about. Back in 1948 its three core principles were that it meet the needs of everyone,that it be free at the point of delivery and that it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay. I think that 70 years later it's pretty impressive that two of the three are still being met and we're not doing too badly on the first.
I honestly don’t know how the nurses do their job. My Dad has been in hospital over a week. The nurses are on their feet 13 hours, not stopping, it seems, for a break. Always someone needing something doing or a new arrival who needs tending to. Amazing people.
Hope you're on the way to recovery Bob and glad to hear your praise of the NHS. Paramedic is Cat Jnr's career (vocation?) choice. He's doing A Levels atm and applying to Uni next year. When he makes it, I will be immensely proud for him to be part of that great institution.
I honestly don’t know how the nurses do their job. My Dad has been in hospital over a week. The nurses are on their feet 13 hours, not stopping, it seems, for a break. Always someone needing something doing or a new arrival who needs tending to. Amazing people.
Exactly this. Heaven knows I witnessed this at QE Woolwich as my Mum slipped away during August. The unfailing kindness of the hopelessly overworked nursing staff who cared for her in the final days.
Now I am going to sound a slightly dissenting voice. Not about the people on the front line, but on the system
I also witnessed the evidence that the system is at breaking point. So on the morning of her passing away they were intent on sending her home despite us being aghast at this decision. Suddenly at 14.00 or so they decided that in fact she couldn't go home and she had only hours to live. Fortunately I was able to get there from Prague by 20.00. She passed away in the early hours. We subsequently received an unsolicited apology from the Discharge Manager or whatever her title is. Again personal respect to her for offering that apology
When I explain that part of the story to people out here, they are also aghast. They cannot believe that this could happen in the NHS, whose reputation is worldwide.
So my question is this. Since everybody on this thread agrees with Bob's sentiments, how come it remains politically so difficult to vote in a government with policies that actually addresses a system that is at breaking point?
I honestly don’t know how the nurses do their job. My Dad has been in hospital over a week. The nurses are on their feet 13 hours, not stopping, it seems, for a break. Always someone needing something doing or a new arrival who needs tending to. Amazing people.
Exactly this. Heaven knows I witnessed this at QE Woolwich as my Mum slipped away during August. The unfailing kindness of the hopelessly overworked nursing staff who cared for her in the final days.
Now I am going to sound a slightly dissenting voice. Not about the people on the front line, but on the system
I also witnessed the evidence that the system is at breaking point. So on the morning of her passing away they were intent on sending her home despite us being aghast at this decision. Suddenly at 14.00 or so they decided that in fact she couldn't go home and she had only hours to live. Fortunately I was able to get there from Prague by 20.00. She passed away in the early hours. We subsequently received an unsolicited apology from the Discharge Manager or whatever her title is. Again personal respect to her for offering that apology
When I explain that part of the story to people out here, they are also aghast. They cannot believe that this could happen in the NHS, whose reputation is worldwide.
So my question is this. Since everybody on this thread agrees with Bob's sentiments, how come it remains politically so difficult to vote in a government with policies that actually addresses a system that is at breaking point?
I think the issue is money, an nobody feels like they should pay extra tax, just that everybody else should
I honestly don’t know how the nurses do their job. My Dad has been in hospital over a week. The nurses are on their feet 13 hours, not stopping, it seems, for a break. Always someone needing something doing or a new arrival who needs tending to. Amazing people.
Exactly this. Heaven knows I witnessed this at QE Woolwich as my Mum slipped away during August. The unfailing kindness of the hopelessly overworked nursing staff who cared for her in the final days.
Now I am going to sound a slightly dissenting voice. Not about the people on the front line, but on the system
I also witnessed the evidence that the system is at breaking point. So on the morning of her passing away they were intent on sending her home despite us being aghast at this decision. Suddenly at 14.00 or so they decided that in fact she couldn't go home and she had only hours to live. Fortunately I was able to get there from Prague by 20.00. She passed away in the early hours. We subsequently received an unsolicited apology from the Discharge Manager or whatever her title is. Again personal respect to her for offering that apology
When I explain that part of the story to people out here, they are also aghast. They cannot believe that this could happen in the NHS, whose reputation is worldwide.
So my question is this. Since everybody on this thread agrees with Bob's sentiments, how come it remains politically so difficult to vote in a government with policies that actually addresses a system that is at breaking point?
I think the issue is money, an nobody feels like they should pay extra tax, just that everybody else should
Exactly this too, but it's not just the money itself. It's clearer (certainly to me now) that the pressure on the NHS in part comes from the collapse of the elderly care system. Then there is a debate to be had about whether some elements of an insurance based system might in fact be of merit. And probably a lot of other big questions that I'm not personally up with, but others working in the sector will be.
My overall point is that if we (by which i mean all citizens and all politicians) had spent even 10% of the time in the last 10 years addressing these issues, that we have spent banging on about the EU, the NHS would not be in this mess.
Love the NHS. In fact, I'm in a hospital waiting area right now; I've probably got, at worst, a cracked rib, and I know there's pretty much nothing they'll be able to do for me. But it's worth getting checked out, and I'm grateful to be able to do just that without worrying about prices and insurance.
The NHS is really fantastic. My Gran is currently dying of COPD and she is a stubborn, bossy and sometimes aggressive old girl, but they have handled her fantastically well.
It's been a painful few weeks and we have just learned that they now want to move her onto palliative care at home to live out her final weeks.
They have supplied all the equipment and plan to have her moved all within less than a week. It's been an admirably smooth process and is completely understandable that they need her bed in the hospital for anyone that may have some level of survival rate.
The doctors and nurses have been very sweet and attentive for around 5 weeks now and she is thankful for all they have done.
Glad to hear they have treated so many, so well.
I won't get into it but I do feel that such a fantastic service needs more funding.
Ironically, having been sent home on Thursday, my Dad is back in. Currently in a ward in Medway awaiting assessment. I’ve never seen a hospital as busy as this currently is.
Good to hear you're on the mend, Bob. Our NHS is magnificent. In September of last year a combination of my wife's speed of action and the NHS saved my life. Everyone involved, the paramedics, the emergency team, doctors, nurses and support staff, were world class. I lived in the USA many years ago and have seen what the alternative could be. We should treasure and nurture what we have.
My sister is a senior nurse at a London major trauma centre - things she sees and has to deal with would make you shudder - she dealt with casualties from the London Bridge attack and the Westminster Bridge attack - she loves her work and has a superb dry sense of humour about it all, which I guess you need to be able to cope with the job
If Britain could only choose one thing to be proud of its the NHS
I honestly don’t know how the nurses do their job. My Dad has been in hospital over a week. The nurses are on their feet 13 hours, not stopping, it seems, for a break. Always someone needing something doing or a new arrival who needs tending to. Amazing people.
Exactly this. Heaven knows I witnessed this at QE Woolwich as my Mum slipped away during August. The unfailing kindness of the hopelessly overworked nursing staff who cared for her in the final days.
Now I am going to sound a slightly dissenting voice. Not about the people on the front line, but on the system
I also witnessed the evidence that the system is at breaking point. So on the morning of her passing away they were intent on sending her home despite us being aghast at this decision. Suddenly at 14.00 or so they decided that in fact she couldn't go home and she had only hours to live. Fortunately I was able to get there from Prague by 20.00. She passed away in the early hours. We subsequently received an unsolicited apology from the Discharge Manager or whatever her title is. Again personal respect to her for offering that apology
When I explain that part of the story to people out here, they are also aghast. They cannot believe that this could happen in the NHS, whose reputation is worldwide.
So my question is this. Since everybody on this thread agrees with Bob's sentiments, how come it remains politically so difficult to vote in a government with policies that actually addresses a system that is at breaking point?
Don't get me started @PragueAddick , but it is not even always about the amount of money although the NHS could do with some more.
The most pressing drain on resources at the moment is older people who can not be discharged from hospital. The cost of a day in a hospital starts at £800, a week in a care home starts at £400. So for people who don't need medical care it is 14 times more expensive to keep them in hospital than to discharge them out to a care home.
Why don't they discharge them then I hear you ask, well because there is nowhere to discharge them to. Whilst the NHS budget is ring fenced (although that is another discussion) the Social Care budget is not so the money paid to care homes has been reduced forcing many to close, this pressure has not been helped by people living longer and the conditions that people live with.
The ticking time bomb in all this is that prevention strategies (stuff that stops people becoming more unhealthy) have been cut massively meaning (in simple terms) that more people get more ill more quickly. This has an affect on how frequently people turn up at hospital but can also be seen in the increased attendance at A&E. Anything to do with prevention has been seen as being easy to cut as nobody sees it (until it is too late!).
As I am fond of saying our government claims to be the party of economic competence but this is about as far away from economic competence as I believe it is to get.
I read stories like yours often Bob and I have been outrageously unlucky with my health had have had over twenty operations with a general anaesthetic but I wouldn’t be able to find even one criticism of the NHS or any of their staff.
There are many things that we British can be proud of and the NHS is right up there. Due to the sheer scale of it it is not possible to pay all the staff what they are worth but I have the utmost respect for them all.
On a separate note do you live anywhere nearly maidstone Bob? If so PM me as I do and I work from home and would be able to run the odd errand and/or drive you to hospital appointments etc. during the day when your wife might be at work.
Best of luck with the recovery. You are about to be reminded just how fantastic modern technology is with the ability to control just about anything from sitting on your bum.
Comments
My experience of health services abroad, be it their incompetence/poor facilities or their extortionate costs has shown me time and time again how fantastic the NHS is. It is something we should cherish and properly support
Here’s to a speedy recovery for you, and a good Christmas.
Seriously, the Morrison’s staff were brilliant.
It’s only a small crater anyway.
I am deeply passionate about the NHS and for me it says all that is good about our society and values. We must not lose sight of that.
It’s good to hear people say good positive things about our NHS instead of the negatives.
Like most of the population, I too have had various trips to A&E and other parts of the health service over the years. They have always been there for me when I’ve needed a few stitches or bone set or something removed and no one ever mentioned where to send the bill. Unlike some parts of the western world.
Now retired, I spent nearly 40 years working for the NHS, (Guy's and then locally) so probably a bit biased. Generally speaking when you need emergency treatment, you can't beat it. OK, you can wait several hours to be seen but you know that no matter what needs to be done by way of x-rays, treatment etc, you are not sitting there thinking 'how much is all this costing me, what sort of bill am I running up?. This is what the NHS is all about. Back in 1948 its three core principles were that it meet the needs of everyone,that it be free at the point of delivery and that it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay. I think that 70 years later it's pretty impressive that two of the three are still being met and we're not doing too badly on the first.
Don’t let the wife slack at all over Christmas, you need proper feeding when you’re recovering from an injury
Amazing people.
Paramedic is Cat Jnr's career (vocation?) choice. He's doing A Levels atm and applying to Uni next year. When he makes it, I will be immensely proud for him to be part of that great institution.
Now I am going to sound a slightly dissenting voice. Not about the people on the front line, but on the system
I also witnessed the evidence that the system is at breaking point. So on the morning of her passing away they were intent on sending her home despite us being aghast at this decision. Suddenly at 14.00 or so they decided that in fact she couldn't go home and she had only hours to live. Fortunately I was able to get there from Prague by 20.00. She passed away in the early hours. We subsequently received an unsolicited apology from the Discharge Manager or whatever her title is. Again personal respect to her for offering that apology
When I explain that part of the story to people out here, they are also aghast. They cannot believe that this could happen in the NHS, whose reputation is worldwide.
So my question is this. Since everybody on this thread agrees with Bob's sentiments, how come it remains politically so difficult to vote in a government with policies that actually addresses a system that is at breaking point?
My overall point is that if we (by which i mean all citizens and all politicians) had spent even 10% of the time in the last 10 years addressing these issues, that we have spent banging on about the EU, the NHS would not be in this mess.
But it's worth getting checked out, and I'm grateful to be able to do just that without worrying about prices and insurance.
It's been a painful few weeks and we have just learned that they now want to move her onto palliative care at home to live out her final weeks.
They have supplied all the equipment and plan to have her moved all within less than a week. It's been an admirably smooth process and is completely understandable that they need her bed in the hospital for anyone that may have some level of survival rate.
The doctors and nurses have been very sweet and attentive for around 5 weeks now and she is thankful for all they have done.
Glad to hear they have treated so many, so well.
I won't get into it but I do feel that such a fantastic service needs more funding.
Our NHS is magnificent.
In September of last year a combination of my wife's speed of action and the NHS saved my life. Everyone involved, the paramedics, the emergency team, doctors, nurses and support staff, were world class.
I lived in the USA many years ago and have seen what the alternative could be. We should treasure and nurture what we have.
If Britain could only choose one thing to be proud of its the NHS
The most pressing drain on resources at the moment is older people who can not be discharged from hospital. The cost of a day in a hospital starts at £800, a week in a care home starts at £400. So for people who don't need medical care it is 14 times more expensive to keep them in hospital than to discharge them out to a care home.
Why don't they discharge them then I hear you ask, well because there is nowhere to discharge them to. Whilst the NHS budget is ring fenced (although that is another discussion) the Social Care budget is not so the money paid to care homes has been reduced forcing many to close, this pressure has not been helped by people living longer and the conditions that people live with.
The ticking time bomb in all this is that prevention strategies (stuff that stops people becoming more unhealthy) have been cut massively meaning (in simple terms) that more people get more ill more quickly. This has an affect on how frequently people turn up at hospital but can also be seen in the increased attendance at A&E. Anything to do with prevention has been seen as being easy to cut as nobody sees it (until it is too late!).
As I am fond of saying our government claims to be the party of economic competence but this is about as far away from economic competence as I believe it is to get.
There are many things that we British can be proud of and the NHS is right up there. Due to the sheer scale of it it is not possible to pay all the staff what they are worth but I have the utmost respect for them all.
On a separate note do you live anywhere nearly maidstone Bob? If so PM me as I do and I work from home and would be able to run the odd errand and/or drive you to hospital appointments etc. during the day when your wife might be at work.
Best of luck with the recovery. You are about to be reminded just how fantastic modern technology is with the ability to control just about anything from sitting on your bum.