NHS gets worse!

[Gladys]

Well, I think if he hasn't had a reply from any of them- that spells it all out. Have you been watching the news?

[rebbonk]

I have Gladys. It doesn't bode well at all

[Gladys]

Indeed it doesn't. I heard one Doctor who was being interviewed about his fears for safety last night say that NHS Derelict used to have 1 nurse to every 2 call handling personnel. This 111 service is using 1 nurse to 10 call handling personnel. He didn't expand on how other dilution in the elements of care delivery might be affecting the public. From this I mean how they decide who to put a caller through to a nurse and who to make a medical decision on on receipt of the call to a call handler. It would seem these call handlers are the ones who are sending out ambulances as 999s and people to A&E for sore throats and coughs. The nurses are mainly less experienced ones too. Very worrying for them as professionals and more so for the public.
These situations are tragic. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ailed-her.html and the fllowing one touches on what I have said.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ng-delays.html

[rebbonk]

From today's local rag...



Source : Coventry Telegraph

[Gladys]

The Labour Minister's quote on NHS Staffing and Nurse shortages ' staffing shortages had seen 4,500 nurses lost to the NHS since May 2010 ' doesn't account for the other 51500 Nurses that the RCN have on file as unemployed in November 2011. This morning on the News it seems they are arguing about who is responsible for adequate staffing. The Government saying Hospitals should be ensuring they have enough Nurses/ Staff but Hospitals are saying the Government is responsible for making sure the jobs are there to fill.In reality, the jobs are there, they always have been and even more so as we have an increase in population and need. The money to pay the staff, to buy and run the equipment is the issue- where is that? The answer in a pot shot is not and the individual Hospital Trusts are relying on privatised enterprise to raise it.

[Gladys]

The RCN are worrying about 2015 when the shortfall in staffing will be a real crisis. (See RCN Bulletin for July 2013) I looked at what has been going on with the 111 Service verses NHS Direct nightmare this morning. In the last week NHS Direct pulled out of 2 of the only 11 contracts it holds for the 111 Service as it was financially unsustainable. (There are 46 sites across the UK) This is discussed in the Health Service Journal this week.
On a better note, I had the sutures removed on Tuesday. The nurse has left one suture incompletely removed which at first wasn't clear because the area was black/blue. That one really hurt as she tried to pull it out. Today I can clearly see a blue thread! The hand is feeling better. None of that terrible pain which was like when you hit your funny bone. So other than my middle finger which doesn't have full feeling, time will tell. I have exercises to do so we'll see if things improve. Its early days.

[Lex]

Glad you're on the road to recovery Gladys! Hope you're completely on the mend soon.

[Gladys]

Thanks Lex, I am sure I am and will be.

[Gladys]

Its all just a matter of time before the implosion of the whole NHS. Have you heard today that NHS Direct ( aka NHS Derelict and defunct) has announced it is pulling out of all of the 111 Service contracts. They hold 40% of the 46 contracts. What next? The framework of the NHS is now crumbling from outside in.

[cathidaw]

Three weeks ago I spent a week in Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic having a new ankle joint.Apart from the hi-tech aspect my stay was like the old days.
Nothing was too much trouble even tho' low staffed at weekends. One lady admitted at 6pm Sunday had missed dinner . A nurse made toast ans tea at 9pm for her.3 hours later but she hadn't forgotten.
Being a specialist hospital makes a difference I know but it seems to be 'managed' well.

[Gladys]

Cathidaw, I am so pleased you've ' been done ' and hope it all heals well and is as good as the other replacement before? Its good to know when you really need it, it actually works. I know when acute things happen it does. (From my experience anyway.) However, it doesn't seem to be working in the outer fringes. I really hope it improves.

[cathidaw]

Thanks for your kind wishes.3 more weeks and I may be able to walk with the aid of a pneumatic boot. But I cannot drive 'til end December
What was wrong with your hand Gladys -I seem to have missed something.and where did you have it treated?.

[Gladys]

Cathidaw, what a lengthy process to get you up and running again. I feel for you. I had the right Carpel Tunnel done in September last year except it was worse than before they did it. I was having shocks through it exactly like when you hit your funny bone which isn't funny at all and the numbness was there in the middle and 3rd fingers so I had it done again in June. I haven't got any of that now but my middle finger still doesn't have full sensation. Its better but not complete with reduced dexterity and weakness. Its a time thing now. They say that the median nerve was compressed badly and for along time so the sensation may never be perfect.We'll see.

[Gladys]

Hi All, I am wondering if this latest arrival is going National? The Postman just brought a letter with an ' Opt Out' form attached to it for my agreement or otherwise. I don't have to do anything as within 12 weeks if I don't ' Opt Out' My records automatically get added to the database. I've ' Opted Out' as I am fed up with this entire system becoming more and more like a communist regime where everyone and anyone will be able to access ( and mess around with ) my records. See www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk. Have you been sent these?

[rebbonk]

I think Mrs Rebbonk had one a while back (I haven't had one yet) and opted to stay out. Her reasons were quite simple, the doctor and his assistants had already made enough of a mess of her records that she wasn't prepared to let anyone else have access.

I can't remember if I've told you, but according to her own GPs records she's been incorrectly recorded as having had a hysterectomy, suffering from high blood pressure and a host of other minor irregularities. It took an age to get these corrected!

[Gladys]

Yes, Rebonnk, this is why I have ' opted out.' I just saw it on the BBC News. They are ' rewarding ' Hospital Trusts that have managed their budgets well and in addition because A&E services are in crisis they are wanting access to patients' records made easier because access to them is through GP surgeries. Most often when access is required ie Out of Hours the surgeries are closed. In principal its a good idea but in reality it is another minefield of data the protection of which is just too flimsy.