The Cure - a drama about the NHS

We had to turn over after about 15 mins. Too upsetting for DH. I'll watch it on catch up after Christmas.

A very powerful drama, and another example of how people turn against each other when someone tries to do the right thing, just like in Sticks and Stones

It was very realistic, I found.

Although, when I made an official complaint, the staff were very much on my side, the administrators and management, although issuing a formal apology, were very much 'absent' - locked away in their offices!

DH started watching it so I did see most of it.

It was an appalling scandal which was in part due to attempts to get hospitals to run as target-driven businesses with the consequence of top heavy management and not enough medical staff. A culture of fear prevailed at the hospital with the emphasis on the business aspect and not on patients' care and needs.

I knew of people who suffered there and I know people whose relatives refused to allow them to go into that hospital and went elsewhere, only to find that the care was not much better.

It was astonishing to see the tiers involved in management, the money that must have been wasted, before money could be available for patient care.

I remember this horror happening so clearly, but had no idea that the conditions were so bad in the hospital.
I went between hurling abuse at the tv and very sad that a hospital in this country can /could be brought to this state through a handful of evil people. Because that's what they are, evil.

And some of them got away with their appalling treatment of patients.

Others, in management positions, got moved sideways or upwards!
Only one was fired.

I was not impressed by the acting of the lead character; but I was impressed with the way that they got across the background forces that allow such situations to be perpetuated unchecked: fear of loss of jobs; fear of stalled career progression etc.

Having dealt with a ward situation not dissimilar to the one portrayed, when OH was in hospital with a fractured femur, I fear that the problem is widespread. Like the family on the TV, we stayed with him almost 24 hours a day to ensure he was fed, hydrated, given pain relief etc.

The hierarchy of fat cats administering the system is a shocking waste of money.

And as for the complaints system......don't make me laugh!!!

I felt the film portrayed accurately some of the basic problems in the NHS; and also the rogue burnt-out members of staff who lack compassion. I so identified with the daughter's initial diffidence in trying to talk to staff: one part of you recognises that they are overstretched, but the other fears making things worse by intervening and speaking up.

The scenario of food out of reach rings a big bell with me. The problem is that if you try and complain, the paperwork on the ward looks good: e.g. it says they got a dietician in, and that a suitable diet was available, etc. etc. - but it does not say the patient could not reach it.

I do not pretend to know what the answer is, but I do know that when I worked in the NHS the atmosphere of dedication and teamwork shone out - that is now missing in many places.

If anyone is in hospital, it's best to arrange (very) regular visits and, if possible, a relative there at all times.

Check the patient notes and don't take what the staff say as the gospel truth. Make a note of any/all 'incidents' as well. Sorry to say - but it's necessary, in case you later need to make a complaint.

I'm not saying that the staff don't try their very best - just that things are at breaking point and mistakes do happen!

I think that the campaigners are unhappy atbout this drama as they were given no say whatsoever in any of the content and did not support its production in any way.

They are still struggling with the aftermath of this and still suffering today from the hostility they received.

It is sad that people who worked in the NHS there fail to recognise that some (not all) of the staff could have been at fault.

No, there are still scandals and lack of patient care all these years later, Luckygirl, alongside outstanding treatment and real care.

It is not always because staff are at breaking point either as we have witnessed recently.

Wonder if any MP's including Boris watched this, then they will understand why we are all worried about our NHS.

This happened many years ago but care is still patchy.

It isn't just the patients at risk. A friend of DD's was attacked by a patient some years ago. Because it was due to negligence she sued the local NHS trust. The case they brought against her was incredible, an appalling smear campaign. Fortunately the judge didn't believe it and awarded her a lot of money. He did point out to the trust that they could have saved a lot of money by admitting liability and settling out of court.