In praise of the NHS

Great news TizLiz

I phoned my surgery yesterday, concerned the drug that regulates my AF was unavailable and the alternative given at the pharmacy seemed contra indicated given other meds. I was given an appointment that day, the GP went through my meds and health history. Ten minutes later I was on my way home, reassured

I had an accident two weeks ago, went straight to the local chemist, saw the pharmacist who advised that I go to A & E.

Three and a half hours after I arrived I was on my way home, two x-rays, stitched up, leg brace fitted on kne leg along with an air cast on the other foot.

Fantastic care, kindness in abundance cannot fault anything on the day.

Excuse typos full length brace fitted on one leg

I've got my cardiac pre-assessment appointment next week so hopefully will be getting my AV Node ablation fairly soon, already had the echocardiogram I needed prior to treatment. I was told there was an 8 month wait but it will soon be 5 months from the decision on the treatment so I'm also feeling pretty pleased.

My friend's lump was removed and found to be malignant in late October .
Following an MRI, further problems were detected, operated on in early January and nfa is expected to be needed.

I am managing a couple of really unpleasant health conditions and the service I've had is fantastic, I just hope no-one ever brings in charges for it, I'd be bankrupt.

Great stuff, Tizliz. There plenty of people who won't pass up any opportunity to knock the NHS without even thinking about what "the NHS" actually is (much less how it still manages to work, hampered as it is by so many things).
I take my hat off to the people working "at the coalface" of the NHS. Nursing staff, in particular, have to be skilled in all sorts of things; they don't just make beds, wipe up bodily fluids, wrap bandages and pat patients' hands! I couldn't do their job, so hats off!

I managed to make an appointment to see my GP. I wrote it in my diary and told everyone about this major achievement! Then I got a text from the surgery reminding me of my upcoming appointment. I had written in for the wrong day so was very grateful for the reminder!!

After my consultation the doctor said if the problem comes back after the treatment I should go back.
'Do you know how difficult it was to get this appointment?' I asked him.
He apologised for the rubbish system and I asked if he could make me an appointment in advance and then I could cancel if I felt better.
'What a good idea!' He said, as if no one had suggested it before. 'Would a phone call be ok?'
I said it would. I left feeling much better, knowing that I would be getting some follow-up.

The cancellation was a bit more complicated. The anaesthetist cancelled so there couldn’t be any major operations. Instead of leaving the operating theatre empty they called in a dozen patients who only needed local anaesthetic and the surgeon operated on them instead - good use of resources

A friend of mine saw a GP yesterday (Wednesday).
Blood found in his urine.
Scan this morning (Thursday).

Mr M recently gad a seizure in the middle of the night (he's never had one before) A call to 111 resulted in an ambulance arriving within 5 minutes of 111 calling it. It was all very efficient.

The downside was the 7 hr wait in A & E but it was very busy. The staff were lovely and I had no problem getting through to talk to the ward when I rang for progress reports (I couldn't stay with him all night).

For a service under great pressure I thought they were admirable.

OH is home now, Drs. had no idea what caused it,nothing showed up on a brain scan, but I'm chauffeuring for the next 6 months...

I've no complaints about my THR last year, either.

Broke my patella on 20th December and taken to A&E very woozy from pain killers. Stayed in 2 nights, leg braced and later discharged with pain killers and instructions. Out patients afterwards and yesterday brace off and physio advice given. Everyone was so kind and helpful and I couldn’t wish for more. Well done NHS