The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: jameslindsay on October 22, 2009, 10:16:05 am

Title: Our N.H.S.
Post by: jameslindsay on October 22, 2009, 10:16:05 am
My partners 72 year old dad went into Stirling Royal on Tuesday for a leg operation. From Tuesday lunch time he fasted for surgery on Wednesday. On Wednesday he was taken to Theatre, given the pre med and just as he was about to be given the anesthetic he was told the op was cancelled till the following Day. So, stressed and upset he returned to the ward and said he was hungry. They served him a sandwich which he said was days old and inedible. As he was going for surgery the following day the staff told him he could only eat a light meal. Then at 7.00 pm. last night he was told to go home and surgery would be next Wed or Thursday!!

I think it is criminal that people, of any age can be treated so shockingly. Kenny and I are having a Civil Partnership next Thursday and now his parents can't attend, thanks to the incompetence and insensitivity of the HNS, this is causing them even more upset. He desperately needs this surgery so its not a case of him asking for a later date. This country needs such a huge kick up the arse.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: HappyHippy on October 22, 2009, 10:55:56 am
Hi James,
I totally agree with you about the state of our NHS - it's bloody awful  >:(
But I'm not even going to start a rant - more interesting fish to fry  ;)
You didn't tell us about you and Kenny (or maybe you did and I missed it) I take it you've got everything organised  ;D, try to stay calm and don't let the nerves set in  ;) I hope you a have a fantastic day and send all my love and best wishes for you both and your future together  :-* :love: :-*
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: Roxy on October 22, 2009, 11:03:45 am
Having experienced a similar thing with my elderley relatives, I do agree that things are far from good with the NHS. When my mother broke her hip and was in hospital, she mislaid her wash bag, and I went into the bathroom to find it.  I cannot really describe the scene, it was dirty and disgusting, and no one, definitely not old ladies who had just had surgery should have been made to use facilities such as these.  And there was a catalogue of other problems, not least that they had left the menu by my mums bed for her to fill in, and being flat on her back she had been unable to do it ....so they left her without food all one day, until we discovered the error, and filled in the request for food sheet.  Surely when the food came they should have realised she had been missed out.  What if my mum had no relations or friends going in, what then??

Anyway, I hope the op goes ahead and is a success. Its such a shame he will miss your special day.  Have a lovely day, and best wishes to you both
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: jameslindsay on October 22, 2009, 11:06:35 am
Thank you, I didn't mention before. We have a very small gathering organised and are pushing the boat out with a slap up lunch for 19 of us, now that will be down to 17. We are even closing the hotel for a day as we are going to another hotel for lunch. I have no contact with my parents so it was nice that Kenny's would be there for him, any way all will go as planned now. Thanks again, appreciated.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: plumseverywhere on October 22, 2009, 11:32:15 am
my husband and are are trained nurses but have let our registration go due to being very disallusioned by our health service  :( I am so sorry to hear that your special day is now to be marred by this, what a terrible shame.

my own mother has multiple sclerosis and I often have to see from the 'other side' how awful things are. once, she was in our local hospital and I found out that she was sharing a toilet with a man who was not only confused, bless him, but had a chronic bowel infection which was literally splattered all over the loo and my mum went onto develop! no-one cleaned it for days until I went berzerk.
another time, she phoned me to say that she had been buzzing for a nurse for 20 minutes due to some chest pain (!) and no-one had answered. I had to phone the ward clerk on my mobile to say "er can someone go check on my mum please!" . it is dreadful.

sorry, just turned this into a rant of my own, didnt' intend to do that - just wanted to say I hope you have a lovely day  James and Kenny and I wish your partners dad all the best too with his surgery xx
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: Roxy on October 22, 2009, 11:40:19 am
If things were as they should be in hospital, we would not need to rant!!  When I was young, I remember going into hospitals and the cleanliness and clean smell hit you immediately.  On occasions I have stepped in the door and wanted to be sick.  What a change in the times.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: dixie on October 22, 2009, 12:26:36 pm
Sorry to hear that, my Nan had a similar experience when she fell and broke her hip aged 92, she was in agony, they starved ready for the op which was then cancelled, she wasn't even allowed a cup of tea in case they could operate, this went on for 3 days, nothing to eat or drink and still in agony, she finally got the op along with C Diff and died :'( Absolutely shocking,
I hope it goes well for him, and all the best for your big day, congratulations ;D
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: Rosemary on October 22, 2009, 01:51:36 pm
Congratulations of your big day! Hope the sun shines for you both!
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: gavo on October 22, 2009, 02:12:52 pm
I agree your stories are very sad and distressing for all concerned but please don't forget that people easily remember the bad events. My wife is a nurse and works in the local hospital on the frontline [so to speak] and they work damned hard and would never intentionally let any harm come to any patient.It's not an easy job and they are only human with one pair of hands, buzzers aren't always answered quickly because all available staff  may be with other patients. I've seen how tired and worn out she comes home sometimes from the sheer workload.Unfortunately large organisations have lots going on behind the scenes that often account for ops etc getting cancelled that we the general public never get to hear about but nurses etc  take the flack for.     By the way ALL THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY hope you have a great time.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: dixie on October 22, 2009, 02:58:27 pm
gavo - I applaude anyone who works for the nhs, I think they do a fantastic job, but its not the staff thats the let down its the system. No offence meant to any of the staff.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: sheila on October 22, 2009, 03:13:16 pm
oh I do love a good wedding. best wishes for a long and happy life together.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: RUSTYME on October 22, 2009, 03:31:13 pm
Hello James,
               so sorry to hear about Kenny's dads problems , I hope they sort him out ok very soon , fingers crossed for him  .
  Such a shame his parents won't be able to be be with you both on your happy day . Still make the most of the day, enjoy every minute mate....love and best wishes to you both ....

cheers

Russ
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: Andrew on October 22, 2009, 03:38:47 pm
I am sorry to hear that things went wrong regarding Kenny's dad recent stay in hospital. Over recent months my wife has had a number of health issues which have resulted in her having major surgery, on every occasion the level of care and attention she has received has been absolutely the best that we could have expected. While with any large entity things will go wrong I think it is also important to give praise when it is due. Our recent experience would rank the NHS with the best anywhere.
James best wishes to both you and Kenny and I hope you have a great day and a wonderful future.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: doganjo on October 22, 2009, 03:51:28 pm
I would re-iterate what Andrew says.  When John fell off Lochnagar he couldn't possibly have had more love and care if they tried.  All the doctors and nurses included me and my family in discussions on his treatment at every point.  Aberdeen ITU is the cleanest, tidiest, most positive hospital department I've been in, and I couldn't fault the staff.  They were as devastated as I was that they couldn't save him and some of them came to his funeral.

May I add my very best wishes for your special day, James and Kenny.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: Snoopy on October 22, 2009, 05:06:12 pm
Hope Kenny's Dad doesnt have to suffer for too much longer.

Congratuations to you both, I am sure you are made for each other as
you seem to enjoy life so much, and I wish you both all the best for
your future life together - sending lotsa  :love: :love: :love: :-* :-*

Julie, Joe and Tara (and the pygmy goats of course, especially escapist Billy ;D )
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: little blue on October 22, 2009, 08:08:59 pm
congrats and good luck James
I have mixed experience of the NHS, from the excellent to the damned disgraceful, so I wont comment any further, except to say all the best for Kennys dad
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: sausagesandcash on October 22, 2009, 08:52:06 pm


she phoned me to say that she had been buzzing for a nurse for 20 minutes due to some chest pain (!) and no-one had answered. I had to phone the ward clerk on my mobile to say "er can someone go check on my mum please!" . it is dreadful.


ring once for attention....push the button twice in rapid succession....and the cavalry arrive!
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: gillandtom on October 23, 2009, 10:57:47 am
Gook Luck James and Kenny!  x x  :hshoe:
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: jameslindsay on October 23, 2009, 03:15:37 pm
I think we all accept that the NHS had a desperate lack of funds. Well, 2 things have caused mt to have this rant today.

Firstly, I have just been talking to some one who is driving a brand new car - free on disability as she has a down syndrome baby who is almost 2 years old. Why does she need a free car? I am not being disrespectful to handicapped/disabled people but what a waste of tax payers money. This is a lady that chose to have this baby and was in her 40's and knew the risks and refused to have a scan to see if the unborn baby was OK. How many more thousands of people are getting tax payers money for nothing? Meanwhile the NHS and schools to name but a few are crying out for cash!!!

Secondly, I read in the paper that the Councils are now being asked to account for the money they have raised from their parking meters since the change in VAT. Obviously the VAT rate fell but the cost for parking did not and now they are being asked where is the money and what are they going to do with it? Good point!
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: Rosemary on October 23, 2009, 07:18:17 pm
As the mother of a severely handicapped child, I'm sure the lady woudl swap her new car for a healthy child, given the choice.

I could have a Motability car, because my daughter can't walk as far as a "normal" person but I would have to commute her Disablity Living Allowance to do so. So the car isn't free at all.

I don't know the circumstances of this woman, but if you aren't prepared to have a termination if the results show an abnormality, why bother? I did have all the tests and there was no abnormality; at that time, I believed that I could have had a termination had there been any. Now, I'm not so sure.

Please don't be so quick to condemn in these circumstances. There is far worse "waste" of money around in the public services.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: gavo on October 23, 2009, 09:03:48 pm
Quite right Rosemary my brother in law has fairly severe learning disabilities but his family never asked for help from the state until his parents age and worsening health have made it hard to look after him. They asked for very little and that's what they got but they have spent 35 years without state help so i don't think a little help is unfair to ask for.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: daniellestocks on October 23, 2009, 09:53:47 pm
Iv always had great care with the NHS but the attitudes of the midwifes upset me on my 2nd birth, i was in slow labour for 2 days hadnt had much sleep in those 2 days so went to the hosp, the baby was in the most painful possition so was to be kept in over night and id not eaten for 24 hrs, i wasnt progressing quick enough and the midwifes were great up untill i asked for another c-section, as i was sooooo exhusted and on the verge of passing out! (due to a previous section any problems trying naturally would result in another) From that moment on they were judgemental and grumpy with me, i was so upset and obviously very hormonal  ::) :(

On a happier note, congratulations  :)
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: jameslindsay on October 24, 2009, 08:25:40 am
As the mother of a severely handicapped child, I'm sure the lady woudl swap her new car for a healthy child, given the choice.

I could have a Motability car, because my daughter can't walk as far as a "normal" person but I would have to commute her Disablity Living Allowance to do so. So the car isn't free at all.

I don't know the circumstances of this woman, but if you aren't prepared to have a termination if the results show an abnormality, why bother? I did have all the tests and there was no abnormality; at that time, I believed that I could have had a termination had there been any. Now, I'm not so sure.

Please don't be so quick to condemn in these circumstances. There is far worse "waste" of money around in the public services.

Rosemary please do not be offended by my comments, I am not judging or passing comments on people I do not know, but I do know the details on the one I mentioned and I stand by what I said. It is through people getting benefits for things they should not that those people who genuinely deserve them can't get. What my rant should have said was IMO these people do not class as being disabled enough to justify the benefits they were receiving.

This woman decided she wanted a baby when she was 44 years old and already knew her chances of having a disabled child were high both to with her her and (the bit that angers) knew that her partner at that time had previously fathered 2 children, both of them born handicapped, so the odds were against her. Her daughter is down syndrome, she will be able to walk so is not dependent on a wheelchair so my frustration was why does she need a car from the government? This child is not severly disabled, yes she has a disability but compared to many people she is still a normal wee girl.

I hope I have explained myself and have not upset you further.
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: gavo on October 24, 2009, 11:21:27 am
Downs syndrome children often have complex medical conditions on top of their downs the most common being cardiac problems which are often not obvious just from looking at a person ,this can severely limit a persons ability to carry out normal everyday activities.Do you really know this childs medical history or are you making a few assumptions?I've found that with most parents hope springs eternal when they are having a child .
Title: Re: Our N.H.S.
Post by: sandy on October 26, 2009, 01:46:52 pm
I have had mixed treatment from NHS but most very good, I was in having my hip done and strapped up to drips etc just after I came  around and several others on the ward were also imobile at that time, the relief night worker was sat on a chair doing nothing while other nurses were very busy, I asked for a bed pan along with the girl over from me, we both laughed at our circumstances as the pan was shoved under in the wrong place, I asked several times for it to be moved a bit but "he" never lined it up properly so me and the other girl ended up with wet beds :-[ :-[ horrid horrid but a bit funny as well!!!!!

As for disabled children, they do require mobility cars as some look like adults but have no road sense etc, some could not be taken on public transport and the parents at least get a bit of freedom in a purposly disigned car making thier lifes a bit easier. One job was in a respite unit and I know of one family who had maximum respite for thier child so not to loose disability benefits!!!!!! I also found Social WOrk departments can waste a lot of money on Taxis for people, especialy those who have NO disability!!!!!!!

I could go on but every case is individual and if mother nature gives you the urge for a baby, even when you know it is wrong for whatever reason, well, they cannot and should not be stopped, just good support and monitoring, glad I did not have these problems :)