FabSwingers.com forum: Fall of the NHS

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I've recently had to spend 7 days in our local NHS hospital and couldn't believe the state of today's NHS.

All admissions seem to go through either a surgical or medical assessment unit for up to 48 hours and it was carnage. There seemed to be alot of staff but no management of them.

You'd ask them something and they'd go off to action it and then just forget - nothing seems to be written down

Anyone had a similar experience of a hospital stay?

It's such a shame that we have quality staff in nursing roles but the NHS seems to be crumbling. Whilst

I'm gutted, I'm extremely grateful for the fantastic job they do but can't understand whats gone wrong?

Samples left, forgetting to give injections, re-attach drips, losing drug charts etc etc

I would never complain but can't believe the change since I was last in hospital having my daughter

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By *23sajCouple
over a year ago

"I've recently had to spend 7 days in our local NHS hospital and couldn't believe the state of today's NHS.

All admissions seem to go through either a surgical or medical assessment unit for up to 48 hours and it was carnage. There seemed to be alot of staff but no management of them.

You'd ask them something and they'd go off to action it and then just forget - nothing seems to be written down

Anyone had a similar experience of a hospital stay?

It's such a shame that we have quality staff in nursing roles but the NHS seems to be crumbling. Whilst

I'm gutted, I'm extremely grateful for the fantastic job they do but can't understand whats gone wrong?

Samples left, forgetting to give injections, re-attach drips, losing drug charts etc etc

I would never complain but can't believe the change since I was last in hospital having my daughter

Lol my mrs is nurse she is realy hard worker all that time she working very hard after long shift she can't stand properly when I m asking her y is that bad she saying there is too many admissions but no staff every single day staff short.oh dear

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A few years ago I visited A+E on about five occasions and admitted twice it took a further seven years to get a diagnosis. At the time I had recovered and ready to go home by the time a doctor arrived, five hours after attending. On one admission I had to discuss with the kitchen what I could eat.

To many targets for the system, increased population with reduced funding.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sensitive matter here as I work within administration for our local hospital, our trust feels like it's falling but that's because it's concentration (which is directed by clinical governance) is on cutting staff numbers but increasing patient numbers to achieve targets set.

We shall see just how bad the recession can hit us, health care costs, believe it or not and we're funded by a collapsing system in the global economy, I have a little hope that things may improve though, focus positively on my other aspects in life like the main one, say no more (not sex, something better)

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

I had a pulmonary embolism (blood clot on my lung) 8yrs ago and was in the DRI for 10 days.

I lost count of the number of times I was asked the same questions by different doctors

Just write it on my notes, then you can all read the replies

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Your notes are not always read...it took 45 years to test a genetic condition already diagnosed and there for life, a further 30years for an allergy diagnosis. The funding is required elsewhere these days, government goalposts moved again.

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By *empting Devil.Woman
over a year ago

Sheffield

I have recently had a lot to do with my local hospitals and nhs service including the district nurses. Apart from one woman i have been treated with despatch, with dignity, with unfailing courtesy and good humour. Perhaps this is rare, but i can't fault the care i have had and continue to receive.

However, some of my hospital visitors have commented that the hygiene levels are way above those in their local hospitals

Sheffield is a large teaching hospital(s) which possibly makes a difference?

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

My dad died just after christmas after being in a coma for 10 days.

The staff and ward where absolutly fantastic. They kept his dignaty. He was washed and shaved everyday, they tried new treatments on him. Although in a coma they spoke to him constanty.

He had a 24 hour nurse by his bedside for the whole of the time he was there.

The consultant who gave us the bad news came in from home on new years day to tell us.

I cannot put into words how fantastic the staff where

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By *eryBigGirlWoman
over a year ago

East Yorkshire

Fortunately I've only had one experience of hospital but it was appalling. I was admitted at 1am by the emergency doctor who had rung and told them to expect me so I thought great turn up get sorted. I bypassed a&e great I thought - oh no I was left for several hours in a differently named waiting area most of the night albeit no one else was there but i was in agony and burning up from a serious infection. I was taken into what seemed like a storage room full of cupboards and desks where a doctor proceeded to attempt to take blood which resulted in more going over the desk and me left with 4 holes in my arm!! I was then just left in this room which was so hot on top of my already high temp till in the end I had to go find someone and they said oops we forgot you were there just go back into the waiting area!!

I could go on as it was hell on earth the whole 6 day stay but I have to say the nursing staff were wonderful. I cannot praise them enough for the job they do with the stresses of understaffing and long hours but despite that they were all fabulous!!!

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

My son's have both been in hospital and the service was excellent if slow. Saying that, I could have walked in and walked off with a large amount of hospital equipment sitting in the corridor.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i share diamonds views too since my dad took ill on sunday,he was looked after 24/7 till he finally passed away yesterday,i have nothing but praise for the nhs

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As mentioned above I'm an employee, however following a motorcycle accident last July I can only Praise the Care received, sure they missed a couple of things here and there, but being nearly dead at a road side... To this point here now I've come a long way and wouldn't be here if it was not for the NHS

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By *ucsparkMan
over a year ago

dudley

"I've recently had to spend 7 days in our local NHS hospital and couldn't believe the state of today's NHS.

All admissions seem to go through either a surgical or medical assessment unit for up to 48 hours and it was carnage. There seemed to be alot of staff but no management of them.

You'd ask them something and they'd go off to action it and then just forget - nothing seems to be written down

Anyone had a similar experience of a hospital stay?

It's such a shame that we have quality staff in nursing roles but the NHS seems to be crumbling. Whilst

I'm gutted, I'm extremely grateful for the fantastic job they do but can't understand whats gone wrong?

Samples left, forgetting to give injections, re-attach drips, losing drug charts etc etc

I would never complain but can't believe the change since I was last in hospital having my daughter

Were you in st Mary's for your birth, because if you were it is one of the best in the country. As for the rest of the NHS in parts I agree.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My views on the National Disgrace Service are well known. If it wasn't for the colossal amount of waste in the ordering and procurement department the NHS could more than fund itself. It sure as hell doesn't cost £15 for a light bulb and £20 for a pair of rubber gloves. Someone somewhere is getting a huge kickback and Joe Muggings, ie, you and me, is paying for it!

I've said before that I'd favour scrapping it and starting again but that just isn't feasible. What it needs is a team of dedicated healthcare professionals with the nuance for administration to be put in place with the sole remit of cutting waste and procuring contracts for supplies that do not give private companies the opportunity to rub their hands with glee at the prospect of securing extremely lucrative government contracts.

They should be battling each other for these contracts with the lowest prices they can realistically deliver supplies for.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I am glad we have a NHS, I just wish it was run more efficiently so it can do what it does so much better.

I agree with Wishy about the procurement service, but that is true of all government departments. The problem is having penpushers doing the job that a professional Procurement Manager should be doing. I also agree there must be some massive kickbacks somewhere.

I also think we take the NHS for granted. Personally, I think everyone should pay for a prescription, even a nominal fee of say a £1 per prescription. At the moment only 1 on 10 people pays for prescriptions, which seems insane.

Also, the NHS should be there for health and wellbeing, so when I hear about the money spent on things like boob jobs and fertility treatment, it makes my piss boil. It seems that some people think its a divine right to take take take in life!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Do we still get "Health tourists"? who come here to use our free system?

Maybe the ID card is a good idea so that those who are not UK resident/national etc will have to pay what they don't pay for now.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I'm pleased my post was taken in the spirit it was intended. It's because I think the NHS is such a valuable asset that I can't bear to see it heading towards privatisation

It's weird because 10 years ago I was admitted and hated the consultant who was just rude. Switched to bupa and got the same sodding consultant. We have some of the best consultants and equipment in these hospitals so the problems are probably 'the basics!'

Perhaps I should print off this thread and leave it for the trust when I'm discharged

....the people are awesome but internal politics is obviously failing them and us...

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By *annGentMan
over a year ago

With a cracking view

There was a cracking newspaper article a few months back about the eldest nurse working in the NHS, who was about to retire.

When asked what she'd change now, she answered that nurse training should not be as academically led, as the training places are now looking at taking those people who are academic enough to pass the course, not those with the abilities and capabilities to nurse.

She said she would also remove the 'paper-shufflers' !

(My words not hers, as I can't remember how she described them

)

She should take over running the NHS !!

The NHS is the best at what it does, but, as previous posters have explained, it can do so much more for itself !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Since I'm outside your age range,

Here's a joke I wished to share

According to the news my local NHS Self Harm Unit is one of the worst affected by cuts..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"i share diamonds views too since my dad took ill on sunday,he was looked after 24/7 till he finally passed away yesterday,i have nothing but praise for the nhs

Deepest sympathy to you all,.big hugs xc

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My experience of the Uk health care is fairly limited and yes what contact I have had seems to have had a lot of pointless administration, the medical care has been excellent.

While any system can always be improved I believe we are extremely privileged to have the NHS.

I have had experience of state hospitals abroad, believe me most of them you do not want to enter even as a visitor let alone a patient.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My brother had a motorcycle accident abroad, 5 months of paid for treatment at close to £20,000 did nothing towards fixing him up, but he managed to get well enough to get on a plane home. The NHS fixed him free of charge.

Me, I would be dead three times over if I was unlucky enough to live in any other country.

NHS is not perfect, but it does what needs to be done, without attempting to make a profit.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It depends on the management of each hospital, some are very very good and some are are not, the amount of time waiting in hospital depends on what your suffering from and how long it takes them to identify and treat a condition/illness because they prioritize the worst cases first.

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By *umourCouple
over a year ago

Rushden

My ex-sister-in-law is a nurse and she thinks that it all started to change when nurses pay rose and it became a career choice rather than a vocation. She did accept that there are those who still have that vocational calling, but it is like what happened to Social Workers.. Too much education and not enough caring.

To be honest, I only know three or four people who work in the NHS but I can tell you that at least one of them is as described above! Patients are just like any other business commodity. Log em, rack em and sell (discharge) em! Two of them agree that there are enough of em to do the job, just no direction!

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By *ig jugsWoman
over a year ago

somewhere

I am going into hospital soon for major surgery and I am glad of the NHS as I could afford to go private.I hope I get looked after well and I will post my life changing journey and let you all know how it goes. Not that many will read or care or will respond as I am not in the clique lol. It does not bother me though I will still post on the forums any way.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

don't you mean clinic

good luck with the op whatever it is

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

For me the NHS can do no wrong, they have put me back together after several motorcycle/cycle crashes, got me through cancer to name but a few times I have needed them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had an operation 15 months ago in London Pre ops,stay in hospital and the op itself and aftercare were all first class.

My Mum has cancer and her ongoing treatment in Norwich has been fantastic.

My Nan died in hospital in Bury St Edmunds and the care she received there was unbelievable.

3 NHS hospitals, I can't fault or criticise any of them

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Have nothing but praise fro our local hospital, here in Weston. Maternity wing was fantastic x

Great shame you've had a neg experience.

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By *andKxxxCouple
over a year ago

Liverpool

It's not that we don't do what you ask... We have so much stuff to remember sometimes it's easy to forget! Everyone working in hospitals are put under so much stress lately!! It's not quality of staff as there are a lot of very good nurses out there! Just too much paperwork and not having enough time to spare to interact with patients!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Ive recently had to go to a&e 3 times, cause i cant get an appointment at my doctors for another 2 weeks. My doctors are a joke.

I cant fault the nurses and doctors, minus 1 that i see when there but i wouldnt have had to go back there if i had just seen the right kind of doctor. It was only by chance that the last time i was up there having some blood tests that there was someone there asking questions. When i told her what was wrong she went out of her way to make sure i was seen by her and the doctor she was working with so i got the care and answers that i needed. If she wasnt in the room at that time i would have been once again passed back to my gp who would have just said that there was nothing that they could do.

Im dreading all the next appointments i have

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"......All admissions seem to go through either a surgical or medical assessment unit for up to 48 hours and it was carnage. There seemed to be alot of staff but no management of them.

................"

Assessment units are a bit like field hospitals in a war zone but the problem stems from the 4 hour target to get patients through A&E units.

It doesn't seem to matter WHERE they go, just so long as they GO.

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By *ev and TrevCouple
over a year ago

cardiff

18 months ago when our daughter was 5 days old a routine house call from a midwife resulted in a trip to the paediatric assessment unit at our local hospital (which happens to be a teaching hospital).

I could not believe the efficiency there & within an hour of arriving the baby was on precautionary IV antibiotics.

She was diagnosed with meningitis & septicemia.

All the hospital staff were absolutely fantastic from the doctors down to the cleaners & I don't know how, as a hormonal, breast feeding new mum, I would have got, through those 2 weeks without their kindness & efficiency.

Not a day goes by when I don't look at, my now perfectly healthy little girl & thank God for our NHS & its staff!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 13/03/13 18:14:22]

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

They released me from a&e within the 4 hrs but then I was back later via out of hours doctor.

The hospital in question is qa in Portsmouth and I think the issue stems from the fact Carillion revamped it and run it and rent it to the NHS. The 'fluffy' feel has gone as its about people being treated as 'stock'

I love our NHS which is why I'm gutted I had a poor experience and this reflects badly on all staff however good they are

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I am going into hospital soon for major surgery and I am glad of the NHS as I could afford to go private.I hope I get looked after well and I will post my life changing journey and let you all know how it goes. Not that many will read or care or will respond as I am not in the clique lol. It does not bother me though I will still post on the forums any way."

Good luck with the op and your journey to recovery xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Too many chiefs, not enough indians, and too many inappropriate admissions due to fear of litigation

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

What ever happens, make sure you dont need to go to the Royal Bolton.

Drive yourself an extra few miles and go to Salford.

Wouldnt want our cat treated at the Bolton, and they have the cheek to charge you £10 a day to watch TV as well.

Makes Stafford look like gold medal winners.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When I lived in Cornwall, I prayed I was never ill enough to go to Truro hospital, terrible place with an awful reputation of poor care

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Too many chiefs, not enough indians, and too many inappropriate admissions due to fear of litigation "

And too many people sent home when they shouldn't be.

The nurse training isn't what it should be, I went through that course and saw people pass with just over 40% in our cohort. And this was a vocational and academic course, based on mostly hands on training.

I would'nt want to be treated by some of the nurses who went through training with me. And some of them are now managers.

There's one answer for you.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

The best advice than can be offered to critis of the NHS is 'if you don't like the UK health system, try finding a better one at the same price - or any price'.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The best advice than can be offered to critis of the NHS is 'if you don't like the UK health system, try finding a better one at the same price - or any price'."

That in itself doesn't make the NHS the envy of the world. A poor system is still a poor system even if it's free (which it isn't of course).

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

is it not the policy of some in this country to encourage the public to lose faith in the NHS ?

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By *atisfy janeWoman
over a year ago

Torquay

"is it not the policy of some in this country to encourage the public to lose faith in the NHS ?"

Oh without a doubt, I think the fact that many don't understand the constraints and shortfalls of private health insurance and they are the most gullible amongst the population....

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By *icked weaselCouple
over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

"is it not the policy of some in this country to encourage the public to lose faith in the NHS ?

Oh without a doubt, I think the fact that many don't understand the constraints and shortfalls of private health insurance and they are the most gullible amongst the population...."

The mother-in-law recently had a brain tumour removed.

The company she worked for had all the mega expensive private healthcare etc..

The surgeon for the private healthcare actually RECOMMENDED that she have the Brain Tumour operation on the NHS !!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The best advice than can be offered to critis of the NHS is 'if you don't like the UK health system, try finding a better one at the same price - or any price'.

That in itself doesn't make the NHS the envy of the world. A poor system is still a poor system even if it's free (which it isn't of course)."

It is a poor system. And it makes me really sad. I've seen some people work terribly hard to make it work and look after the sick and needy. Above and beyond the call of their duty at times. Because they believe in good patient care.

I don't have any idea how to put it right, but any solution that doesn't put the patient at the centre of the process falls short. You can't run health care like a business unless you have a balanced ethical model.

Some of the people running the NHS at present simply have no idea about the morals and ethics of healthcare practice - only business. You can't have targets on the shopfloor where patients are concerned - assessment units turn into meatmarkets where patients are pushed through the system by nurses hassled by managers to complete paperwork rather than care.

Put quite simply, you can't pay people to take an interest.

An NHS manager said that to me about her superiors. Too blinkin' true.

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By *e nicerWoman
over a year ago

Costa del Medway

Too many chiefs and not enough indians?

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By *e nicerWoman
over a year ago

Costa del Medway

defo true about the paperwork and not just the NHS.

There should be a campain in public services for PEOPLE NOT PAPER.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"is it not the policy of some in this country to encourage the public to lose faith in the NHS ?"

I can;t believe that, I mean it's not like pretty much every member of the cabinet has business interests that would see them benefit by the NHS being privatised is it? Oh no hang on...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"is it not the policy of some in this country to encourage the public to lose faith in the NHS ?

I can;t believe that, I mean it's not like pretty much every member of the cabinet has business interests that would see them benefit by the NHS being privatised is it? Oh no hang on..."

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By *icked weaselCouple
over a year ago

Near Edinburgh..

Its Quicker - to bee seen by a Doctor if you use the NHS24.. than it is to Visit A&E !!! its true..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Take on board fully the arguments against waste and shortcomings of admin.

But we have up be realistic. This is now the worlds fifth largest employer I think, it's a Lothian of an organisation. Therefore whatever fundamental problems it might have will be magnified. A small company has a fighting chance of changing for the better. It can right itself, put simply.

But this? This is beyond our comprehension if we're serious about a root and branch review.

An earlier post suggested abolition. Maybe that's the route and start again. But in that, lets take care not to throw the baby out with the bath water.

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

"is it not the policy of some in this country to encourage the public to lose faith in the NHS ?

I can;t believe that, I mean it's not like pretty much every member of the cabinet has business interests that would see them benefit by the NHS being privatised is it? Oh no hang on..."

most likely the same with other elements of the public sector..

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By *e nicerWoman
over a year ago

Costa del Medway

"Take on board fully the arguments against waste and shortcomings of admin.

But this? This is beyond our comprehension if we're serious about a root and branch review.

An earlier post suggested abolition. Maybe that's the route and start again. But in that, lets take care not to throw the baby out with the bath water. "

What was the point in setting up the trusts then?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Take on board fully the arguments against waste and shortcomings of admin.

But this? This is beyond our comprehension if we're serious about a root and branch review.

An earlier post suggested abolition. Maybe that's the route and start again. But in that, lets take care not to throw the baby out with the bath water.

What was the point in setting up the trusts then? "

They aren't truly independent.

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