Day 8, and I am still in Lancaster Hospital, having had my tendons sown back on to my left knee. A simple story of my lovely (less lovely now!), boistrous black labrador pulling me over on a steep slope.
I always felt avoiding the NHS at a bank holiday and in advance of a doctors’ strike was a sensible thing to do. It seems you don’t always have a choice…
So, what are my observations of the NHS at first-hand?
First, the staff here are lovely. Three cheers for Ward 37! They really care, and whilst I am sure some NHS staff do just the basics, not here.
Second, morale seems low with a disappointing level of confidence in the management of the Trust or NHS generally. Poor communication, endless management initiatives, and a lack of joined up practices or budgets undermine their capabilities to do the best job.
A small example of poor organisation. I got admitted Good Friday night, waiting only 3 hours for a bed. Nil by mouth for an operation that never happened, despite available surgeons, as no specialist radiographers on call over the Easter break. A second nil by mouth and still no relevant radiographers until Tuesday. Then, a third, and I was finally operated on on Thursday.
During the process, I asked whether there were radiographers elsewhere on call but out of the question. Budgets and records are ring-fenced by Trust, so there was no flexibility there. I asked to go home and come back to avoid bed blocking, but if I did I would leave the ‘system’ and be admitted as an out-patient in 2-3 weeks time despite the severity of the injury. The matron and surgeon strongly advised me to stay put.
To make things more difficult, when I am discharged tomorrow and slowly make my way to London, I have to take my records in paper form with me to UCL’s A and E department to get the required crucial follow up treatment. There are no transferable online records here.
My general ward is full of the elderly, many with dementia. It is sad to see, and the pressures on this basis are only going to rise. Lack of care at home or in homes is a clear factor. It is piling on the pressure. Many lament the demise of halfway house cottage hospitals, which were so beneficial for helping the elderly recuperate, and I simply do not understand why social care, not small boats, is the government’s top priority.
All against the backdrop of A and Es filling up partly due to lack of GP access.
I have seen at least some of the best (people) but often the worst (structural) of the NHS on view. Money, of course, is a factor, but so is a bloated NHS managerial class, siloed organisation and politicians who seem unable to challenge and prioritise a crucial yet failing public service.
Inside Right Politics 