Supporting NHS

Oh Miss A, sometimes actions speak louder than words! You seem to have summed up,how you felt about the nursing care very eloquently without saying a syllable.

But how humiliating for you. I hope you were treated with respect subsequently.

My own experience is more in outpatients particularly at the eye hospital. We found staff here to be interested in their work and their patients. Maybe working in a specialist area is more rewarding than (say) general medicine or surgery?

I pooped on the floor right in front of where the nurses were sitting, just as one was about to show the other her sons new car on Facebook.

(I had been given huge amounts of laxative, in my defence)

One screamed, and the other said "Oh. My. God!"

Most nurses I have witnessed on wards just come to the patient, do what they need to and clear off straight away. They seem to be on a piece of elastic that pulls them back to the nurses station. I accept a lot is now done on computer but I hear them swapping holiday stories, discussing their kids etc. They make you feel as though you are intruding if you go and ask a question. None of them seem to have a few minutes to talk to patients any more.

A few days ago the elderly man next to my husband was delirious (according to his wife who was there earlier) he was trying to climb over the bars on the bed. Not a nurse or HCA to
be seen anywhere. I was terrified he was going to fall on the floor.

One innovation that came from Covid was zoom consultations.
I don't know how you feel about that, but it works for some folk in some situations.
Cuts the risk of picking up extra bugs from the waiting room
I know Tess, it doesn't address the wards' issues.

Covid was a tsunami.
Serious affected education as well.

Maremia

Thanks Tuliptree. Have things deteriorated since the changes in how GP practices are funded/managed.
Since GP practices became more like businesses than services?

The particular bee in my bonnet is what Covid did to general practice. I think it caused a seismic change and not for the better. At least IME.

Management. Yes, who and how the boss is matters.
Same in schools.
Same in every situation, I imagine.
Very difficult to complain about a Manager in the NHS. Ranks are closed.

Thanks Tuliptree. Have things deteriorated since the changes in how GP practices are funded/managed.
Since GP practices became more like businesses than services?

I've quite a few ex colleagues that went from care work to nursing, and fhe common consensus seems to be that it ia due to how wards are managed by ward managers; I'm not sure what title tjsy have now.
For example, when one particular man was on shift, we all knew we were in for a better day.
He came around, was pleasant, friendly and, I assume, kept an eye on what was going on.

But it is in some areas, the envy of the world, Tess, and yes the delivery should be consistent all over the UK
Why, in your experience, are there the differences that you have seen?
Knowing that, could be a step forward.

Maremia

Do you have a theory about why there are these differences, so near to one another, when the demographics are the same?

With the GP surgeries, the ethos of the practice and the quality of the practice management.

Do you have a theory about why there are these differences, so near to one another, when the demographics are the same?

The treatment in all hospitals should be the same no matter who you are or where you live. And getting poorer service because you are old is shocking. No one wants to be old and in hospital but if you are , heaven help you and it’s been going on for years and will. But keep reminding ourselves it’s the envy of the rest of the world!

Maremia

I suspect, without any of us doing a 'reveal' about where we live, that, as well as differences between wards, there are regional differences in NHS delivery.

I have experience of several hospitals and GP practices in one region. The variation is enormous and as a pp said you get huge variations between departments and wards in the same hospital. In my town there are 2 GP practices with very similar demographics and they are chalk and cheese.

But it has worked for me, and I don't need your permission to continue to believe.

I suspect, without any of us doing a 'reveal' about where we live, that, as well as differences between wards, there are regional differences in NHS delivery.

Make comparisons with all other countries but how does that help. This is where you are treated not in another country. One of my children is a consultant and goes to these conferences around the world. It is a family joke where these conferences are held! He says the government have never trained enough doctors in this country ,they rely on poaching them from other countries who have gone to the expense of training them but they get more money here. Carry on Maremia believing it’s as it should be, it works for you

And my experience of nursing staff on wards full of elderly people is unprintable. If you go to the desk and raise an issue you are told how busy they are. Some are but some definitely are busy on their phones which isn’t nursing as far as I understand it. But we are brainwashed being told the NHS is the envy of the world. It keeps Jo Bloggs in their place and ‘ever so grateful’ in spite of the fact it isn’t true and all tax payers are paying for this mismanaged chaos. I do know what I’m talking about as well.

Why not make comparisons with other countries?
Sometimes that's where you learn new practices, procedures, methods, even recruit staff.
Consultants go to conferences abroad, compare statistics, then bring back new ways of delivering their expertise.
You may not be interested, but I am, especially what's happening in the USA, simply because there are popular politicians who wish to push us in that direction

Re Maremia remark suggesting health care in the U.S.A. isn’t good. Have you been treated there or are you going on what you’ve read in the newspapers? Regarding the N.H.S. I’m afraid it is in very poor state and I speak from being involved with it over the last 3 years. They are woefully short staffed not helped by people calling in ‘sick’ because they can and will get paid.
Last week for instance I was in a walk in centre and the waiting crowd were that half the staff were off sick so the wait was even longer than normal. It had been going on for days. Next day another urgent treatment centre, nurse said only 50 % in again. Called in ‘sick’ was she told me quite normal. I know it must be a nightmare to work in a hospital these days but just leave and stop creating even more problems. It’s been like this for years, none of this is new. It’s too big and out of control sadly. And as everyone lives on and on it will only get worse in my view,

MissAdventure

I feel absolutely traumatised by my treatment, and I don't feel I'm an emotional person ordinarily.

I'm quite stoic.

Having been in the same hospital MissA I have upmost sympathy for you.

I watched the indifference from the majority of the nursing staff towards bed bound elderly patients with tears in my eyes.

I complained and was brushed aside.

The nursing assistants were very helpful and kind, (HCA’s) and worked really hard.

Last time I was in hospital, only one night was about 4 years ago. I couldn't sleep because of the pain I was in and I watched the night nurse sat at the desk opposite our bay.

For three hours she was asleep with her head on her arms. The rest of the time she was on the phone to family and friends organising her social life.

Maremia

No 'system' is ever perfect.
Heartening to hear NanaTuesday's story.
Horrible when you are so seriously let down.
Still happy to have it.
Better service in some countries and much worse in others. Thinking USA.

I don't actually care about other countries - things could be worse? Yes and they could be better. On threads like this we see the whole range of experiences and many of them are simply not good enough

I feel absolutely traumatised by my treatment, and I don't feel I'm an emotional person ordinarily.

I'm quite stoic.

MissAdventure

The nurses were the absolute worst part of my hospital stay.

They're very kind in outpatient appointments, but quite, quite shockingly different on the wards.

That’s been my extensive experience too MissAdventure. Outpatient care has nearly always been excellent and caring. Nursing staff on the wards I was in frequently left a lot to be desired.