Den, I was sorry to hear in your last missive you were hospitalised. I know you’re getting better though just by reading this!!!!
As usual, you hit the nail on the head. When Dad was in the BRI I was apoplectic with rage about the same. Bits of paper with hastily scribbled on notes, staff stood for hours at terminals on portable trolleys inputting vast amounts of data. Yet no one appeared to be able to tell me anything about Dad’s treatment or condition (Dad had a total laryngectomy in 2009 so we had to be his voice in there). Suffice to say, and sadly, I can’t concur on your view of the level of care in my Dad’s case for so many reasons - in my view, ineptitude, non-communication, lack of consistent process and yes - good data. All underpinned by a significant and regular lack of required staff for each ward/shift.
Get home soon Den and don’t stop poking the bear!!!
Glad you are improving. i think the central issue is that when the NHS was founded in 148 the UK population was 50,033,200, there was little immigration and people lived very basic lifestyles:
Today the population is 68,898,267 (plus we have to assume a large number of illegal immigrants/slaves) and the medical world is unbelievably sophisticated. The old adage that in the late 40's the NHS only had one iron lung and somebody is already in it still applies to a degree today albeit on a much larger scale.
The hippocratic oath and HIPAA compliance means everyone has to be treated in the USA regardless of ability to pay, which plays havoc with commercial medical businesses and basically means what's left of the middle class gets hammered with medical bills.
It's an extremely tricky conundrum, especially with big pharma looking to get everyone and their brother on lucrative 'for the rest of your life' meds and a lamentable shortage of holistic care.
The NHS is clearly at breaking point (someone in my family just became a GP and earns less than someone at burger king). It will take enormous political will and skill to sort out and sadly I see zero politicians capable of doing anything but their masters bidding...
Den, I was sorry to hear in your last missive you were hospitalised. I know you’re getting better though just by reading this!!!!
As usual, you hit the nail on the head. When Dad was in the BRI I was apoplectic with rage about the same. Bits of paper with hastily scribbled on notes, staff stood for hours at terminals on portable trolleys inputting vast amounts of data. Yet no one appeared to be able to tell me anything about Dad’s treatment or condition (Dad had a total laryngectomy in 2009 so we had to be his voice in there). Suffice to say, and sadly, I can’t concur on your view of the level of care in my Dad’s case for so many reasons - in my view, ineptitude, non-communication, lack of consistent process and yes - good data. All underpinned by a significant and regular lack of required staff for each ward/shift.
Get home soon Den and don’t stop poking the bear!!!
Glad you are improving. i think the central issue is that when the NHS was founded in 148 the UK population was 50,033,200, there was little immigration and people lived very basic lifestyles:
http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/war/changessince.htm#1948.
Today the population is 68,898,267 (plus we have to assume a large number of illegal immigrants/slaves) and the medical world is unbelievably sophisticated. The old adage that in the late 40's the NHS only had one iron lung and somebody is already in it still applies to a degree today albeit on a much larger scale.
The hippocratic oath and HIPAA compliance means everyone has to be treated in the USA regardless of ability to pay, which plays havoc with commercial medical businesses and basically means what's left of the middle class gets hammered with medical bills.
It's an extremely tricky conundrum, especially with big pharma looking to get everyone and their brother on lucrative 'for the rest of your life' meds and a lamentable shortage of holistic care.
The NHS is clearly at breaking point (someone in my family just became a GP and earns less than someone at burger king). It will take enormous political will and skill to sort out and sadly I see zero politicians capable of doing anything but their masters bidding...