Reality of today's NHS
Last month, I read an article whereby Health minister Lord Darzi announced plans for the next 10 years of England's NHS after a year-long consultation with patients and staff.
His proposals are to focus on improving quality through financial incentives and perform-ance data. The review also includes controversial proposals for 150 GP-led health centres in England, which doctors have warned put existing services at risk.
The prime minister hailed the review as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity".
In reality, this is what happened. Our daughter, woke up at 2am on Sunday morning in agony, screaming about pains in her lower abdomen.
After the initial phase of comforting, at 2.30am we called our medical centre for advice, aware of the usual requirement to call the emergency advice line in a central call centre.
The initial advice was provided and comforting discussion if things did not improve, 'call back, an hour later', the pains had increased and I called back.
For those of you who have experienced 'out of hours' support, I suspect you will know what's coming next!
I was stunned to hear that doctors no longer, make out of hours visits, unless the patient is elderly or is suffering from cancer. One has to take your child to a local 'drop in centre', the nearest sensible unit, was Loughborough or Leicester!
There is no local accessible service provided from Stamford, Uppingham or Oakham. A call to both units revealed extensive waiting periods and suggested a visit to Peterborough accident and emergency unit, closer and with more staff on duty, though if I felt it was an emergency, I should call 999 and seek emergency treatment, not something I felt comfortable with – aren't these used for real emergencies, for example, heart attack patients, road accidents etc.
As things had not improved I decided to drive to Peterborough. On arrival, a notice board suggested a wait of two hours plus should be expected, oh and please be patient, perhaps someone's idea of a joke!
The unit was full of drunks, patients with head and hand injuries, average age 25. Six police officers were present patrolling the unit, with regular assistance calls for domestic incidents within the cubicles.
The waiting room divided into two sections, those seeking self-inflicted injuries, and those seeking medical advice for a poorly child, varying from six months to 12 year, simply trying to protect their children from these images of modern day life.
Two hours later my daughter asked me if she could leave. I asked her whether she was better, she simply looked at me and told me she didn't like it here.
I inquired at the reception and sought a timeframe for attention? I received a shrug of the shoulders and an apologetic response, stating that it could not be given.
Not to worry, though the 'drop-in' centre opened at 7am and I was more that welcome to wait in the accident and emergency unit until it opened. Two more screams were heard and a further request was made for police support for a domestic incident. We left!
Last year my National Insurance contributions were in excess of 3,000, had I paid this into a private insurance policy, and yes I would have received a home visit!
I am not really interested in financial incentives and targets, just a service one can rely on when called upon.
As a life-time Labour voter I am disgusted with the 'day to day' tinkering of the NHS by Government Ministers with private healthcare and of course, who never have to experience, the long wait in an accident and emergency unit, with a sick child in your arms and the abuse of the facilities provided by the moronic behaviours of the binge drinker, with nothing more than self inflicted injuries.
They should not be permitted to burden the NHS further; I suspect that Lord Darzi has missed this aspect of modern life within his findings.
Looking back over 60 years, I cannot believe we have anything to celebrate, recognising the improve-ments in some areas, the 'grey support' of out of hours care is nothing short of pathetic and a national disgrace!
Pasqualino Risi
Ancaster Way,
North Luffenham
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Friday 10 February 2012
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