No one would deny that the NHS is a wonderful concept, few would argue with the fact that the majority of nurses and doctors do wonderful, selfless, inspiring work. But equally there are the all too often exceptions to the rule that worry the families and cast fear into the hearts of the patients.
But what happens when due to budgetry requirements and lack of hospital beds, the particular operation is passed on to a private hospital – where one assumes better care – but the care on offer fails at a minimum level and leads to farcical exchanges…
Patient – Excuse me nurse, my knee is still bleeding profusely after my operation four days ago, I’m unable to eat and drink without being nauseous and as a result I haven’t eaten in over five days, and my pain medication doesn’t work…as I’m 85 years old, do you think I should be concerned or worried?
Nurse – There, there, I’m sure it’s fine, someone will be in to help later.
P – But I’m bleeding, the bandage is beginning to seep blood onto the sheets…
N – Yes, but that can happen after an operation,
P – And I’m unable to keep anything down, and haven’t eaten in 5 days,
N – Don’t worry, I’ve asked that they offer you a ginger biscuit with your cup of tea later this afternoon.
P – My family have had to go to the supermarket to buy me food, because even if I could eat, the food here is totally inedible.
N – Well, it’s nice that you now have things to tempt your appetite.
If it wasn’t so serious, the conversation above – which actually happened, albeit not in one sitting – would be worthy of Laurel and Hardy. The level of attention to the care of an old lady was dismal. The private hospital saw their responsibility as carrying out the operation, and sending her home. So stop the bleeding and ship her out. Literally. She’s little more than a parcel to be moved on. The operation is finished, so tick the box for a success…update the doctor’s records to show how wonderful he is and next patient please!!
The rest of the fall out from the operation is under the heading of being ‘off colour’, and seemingly not related to the original operation. Not their responsibility, the nausea and lack of sleep is simply an old lady with old age problems, not linked back to the operation of a week ago.
If I can see the link, does that make me Einstein or does it make them stupid beyond belief for not seeing it? I am tending towards the latter at the moment.
The jargon and feel good “speak” is of course designed to lift morale, keep patients feeling positive in order to aid recovery, but there’s a difference between buoyant upbeat optimism and sheer air head lunacy…
And then, just when one despairs and feels that the whole process is severely lacking any care for the elderly, the old lady’s husband is walking their dog, bumps into a NHS doctor from the local surgery who gives immediate advice on food to aid recovery, and within the hour drops some food from her own personal freezer into the old lady’s hands – literally. Personal service way above and beyond the call of duty.
blarneybounce 