The state of the NHS - Is it me?????

[mifta]

I am sounding off about my day today!!!!!!!!
My mum was admitted to hospital today for an operation on her knee, revision knee replacement, to correct a poor job done 4 years ago. She was first on the list and was taken to theatre only to be returned to the ward because an piece of equipment needed for her op had not been sterilised. She then had to wait until 2.30pm when she eventually went. We were told to phone the ward she was to go to after her op at 6pm. We did this and no one knew who or where she was. I phoned a number of departments, who all thought she was on the day ward, which had now shut for the day. I was so upset when I finally spoke to someone who appeared generally interested in finding out where my mum was I ended up rambling like a child and she was concerned for my welfare. After 20 minutes of looking I eventually spoke to the nurse that was with my mum, and fortunately, my mum had her op and was comfortable.

Is it me or is this CR**!!!!
PS - I am a nurse, although no longer working for the NHS

[bobtheduck-]

i was at a hospital today and it didn't even have any people in the reception area! too many fat overpaid managers and supervisors and managers of supervisors and managers managers and all this grade nonsense, not enough people on the ground who are overworked and underpaid, i would shoot all those in a managerial capacity if they could not justify their day to me in 5 mins

[kitty1981]

I work for the NHS as one of theose overworked and underpaid skivvies and I agree. They have invented jobs for supervisors, managers etc and to be honest most of them spend most of the time chatting about their holidays etc whilst offloading their work onto us!!
Why not use the money to pay for more nurses atc and equipment to provide a better service for patients!!

[bednobs]

surely the fact that shes had her op and is comfy is the main point here?
those failings are surley on the part of individuals?

[smudge]

I was at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital with one of our daughters today.

On arrival, we noticed that the very large waiting room was completely empty & thought 'goody we'll be out in no time' - only to be told she would have at least an hours wait!

The very nice Consultant was running late - God knows how long we'd have waited if the waiting room had have been full.....

[TheGopher]

Too many chiefs and not enough indians. Sadly true throughout the caring and public service areas today.

[TheGopher]

Somewhat offtrack but seen in the local paper recently - an advert for a new position with the local council 'Assistant to the empty houses officer'!

[meglet]

If anyone watched the program recently on BBC2 where Sir Gerry Robinson (a revered businessman who has save many failing businesses) was tasked to lower the waiting lists in a hospital significantly in 6 months with no extra money. The trouble he had was not with the middle or senior managers but mostly because of the sheer arrogance of consultants who refuse to listen to managers who try to implement change. They see them as "fly by nights" who don't last more than a couple years and therefore don't understand how it all works. Also as the managers are significantly less qualified than the consultants they refused to take them seriously. Of course it doesn't occur to them that the reason they only stay a couple of years is because they get totally frustrated and disenchanted with the lack of progress. I'm sure they are not completely blameless but they should not shoulder the responsibility for all the failings in the NHS.

The NHS is an institution that appears to resist change and so things just won't get better quickly. I believe the only way to change the NHS is to start with the med students to develop better attitudes. Pooring more and more money into the NHS is pointless as we've all seen time and time again.

Sorry to hear of your experiences mifta.

[smudge]

Hope your Mum gets better very soon mifta.

[mifta]

Thanks for all your replies. I have been told by the sister of the ward, after 20 minutes of holding, that my mum is ok but we can't see her as she is in one of the hospitals in the midlands with the norovirus infection and visiting is for one hour a day and for one person only son my dad will be visiting her and reporting back.
Cheers all