DDolfelin Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 You too, Don. When news comes from the bedside, we'll use our deadpan faces. (A straight line for BoD). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixoh8sixoh Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 As opposed to bedpan? Morning all. I'll not talk about management issues this morning, I don't have enough time. Very sad news from New Zealand. Will keep fingers crossed for folk. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Very brief update of last night's events. Got an auto airbed that went down on me......and one of the nurses emptied the contents of my commode pan over the floor. Communication here is non existant. Been here since last Thursday and still haven't got a clue what is happpening. This is a hospital for the insane manned by people who cannot give a straight answer to anything..... The fun goes on.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted February 22, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2011 Communication here is non existant. Been here since last Thursday and still haven't got a clue what is happpening. This is a hospital for the insane manned by people who cannot give a straight answer to anything..... The fun goes on.... I noticed that there was a huge difference in level of patient communication / information when I started being treated in Barts. When I was in Southend my "named nurse" was on holiday! If there hasn't been a consultant ward visit I'm sure you must be due for one soon (unless they have all gone ski-ing for half term). Hopefully you'll have the latest Model Rail to look at today. Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BoD Posted February 22, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2011 My word. Have just seen some blue sky. At least I think that's what it was. It's been so long since I last saw some I'm not quite sure. Are you sure you aren't on the 'Carry on Nurse' set Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDolfelin Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I didn't realise you were confined to barracks, Gordon. I'm hoping that it's for observation reasons rather than an inability to walk. I suppose if you are hooked up to a drip it's inconvenient to wander about the hospital looking for the gents. ... and a collapsing bed! Did it try to eat you? I wonder if an electronic message to the powers that be might improve the communication problem? If you feel up to it, you could do it on your gizmo. Would you like info. about who to contact? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted February 22, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 22, 2011 Morning all, a late start as it was late to bed this morning. DD2 had a lot of pain so it was off to the late night surgery. All is now well and she is sleeping like a baby.Gordon I think it is time to unleash your command of the Queens language and demand answers or a second opinion ASAP. In my opinion a lot of doctors treat syptoms not humans. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I'm in a side room to prevent others catching what I have and because I have a immune deficiency issue (not AIDS.... ), to stop me catching what they have. Being on a drip also means bottles and a commode. When I was working I was on a Private Health package, but lost it when I retired. It wasn't a viable option to continue with a £5k premium. There is a stark difference between the two. Private Health is most definitely patient centric where you are the most important thing. Everything is done to satisfy your requirements. NHS is clearly focussed around procedures, rules, processes to avoid litigation at all costs, and minimum cost of treatment to balance the books. So far it has been very disappointing.....but they are doing a job albeit without the customer/patient focus that you have in the private sector. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixoh8sixoh Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Lady rings her local hospital and this conversation follows: Lady - Hello I'd like some information on a patient, Mrs Tiptree. She was admitted last week with chest pains and I just want to know if her condition has deteriorated, stabilised or improved? Hospital - Do you know which ward she is in? Lady - Yes, ward P, room 2B. Hospital - I'll just put you through to the nurse station. Nurse - Hello ward P, how can I help? Lady - I would just like some information on a patient, Mrs Tiptree, I was wondering if her condition had deteriorated, stabilised or improved? Nurse - I'll just check her notes. I'm pleased to say that Mrs Tiptree's conditioned has improved. She has regained her appetite, her temperature has steadied and after some routine checks tonight, she should be well enough to go home tomorrow. Lady - Oh that's wonderful news, I'm so happy, thankyou ever so much! Nurse - You seem very relieved, are you a close friend or relative? Lady - No, I'm Mrs Tiptree in room 2b. Nobody tells you ***k all in here... Â 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 :D :D Spot on! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDolfelin Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Unless you have some very rare condition, it's about time there was a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan, including a schedule of what is expected which should, in normal circumstances, be conveyed to you on request. In my humble opinion, it's not the time to be concerned about money - sell the family silver and hire a known Specialist to visit for a second opinion. Of course, it's easy for me to pontificate without all the facts but, however rough you feel, it's time to be pro-active yourself or somebody on your behalf. In a hospital containing hundreds of patients, it's the quiet ones that get ignored. Just my opinion - ignore me as appropriate. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Absolutely Gordon - the NHS like to think of you as a "Customer", so behave like one and kick up a stink. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted February 22, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 22, 2011 Morning All Great start to the rest of the week off, as Mrs 45156 still had to get up for work, and I am the taxi driver. She gave me a list of jobs to be done, which don't include sitting reading the ERs on RMWeb, but blow it - why not? There were a number of jobs that needed the car, and all the stops were in totally different places - like the city centre for some of the food shopping, onto an industrial estate to get some coal, and the middle of nowhere to get some properly dry logs - all the local ones appear to have been stored in a swimming pool! Gordon I can feel for you in a big way - the NHS is NOT patient centric, although they do make you better in the end. When I was in, I saw a doctor occasionaly, but most of the news about my progress came from the nursing staff when they had time to tell me. I had no idea how long I'd be in, and the Dr said "probably about a week", and different people told me totally different answers about my likely discharge date, which started off as "Wednesday" - told to me the previous Friday, then "Tuesday", told to me on the Saturday, then "Tomorrow" told to me on Sunday - always provided the physio said I was OK for discharge. This was great, as Mrs 45156 had to get things ready at home, and get my street clothes in for the correct day. I was meant to see the Doctor before discharge, but was then told that he was unavailable to deal with my release, and it was supervised by the Sister on duty. WHen I asked how long I would need to recover, I was told "as long as it takes". However, my experience of the private sector was not a lot better, as I had to have an op, which only a few consultants could do, and the NHS waiting list was long - and as he op was elective, I had to choose private on my employer's cover. The room was more like a hotel room, and the food was great, but there were too few nurses and too many waitresses and tea servers, and apparently only one duty physician to cover the entire hospital, and I saw him once. On discharge I was given a bag of drugs which included a pain killer so strong that it is only normally available via specialist pharmacies, and it was just given me in the bag of stuff with "take two as required for pain relief but no more than every six hours" on the label. When I came to get rid of the surplus, my local pharmacist would not accept them, as he had no licence to handle this drug, and I had to take them to the local hospital for disposal - and when my GP found out what I had been given, she had a fit, as the drug was apparently a heroin derivative, and was highly addictive, and could cause hallucinations. So IMHO the NHS is not that bad. At least they don't send you home with drugs that could get you arrested! Anyway, must get on - need to set the fire and make some lunch. Regards to All Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I had work related cover for myself and my wife until May last year when I took voluntary redundancy/ early retirement. As with you Gordon, we looked at the premiums and it wasn't really viable to continue. Inevitably, come September, we wished we had when my wife suffered a prolapsed disc and couldn't walk or even sit. Cutting a long story short, the NHS were so uncertain about when it could be operated on that we went private and paid ourselves. The op was done in early November on the day that she would have had her first Consultant appointment with the NHS. Very possibly she might still not have had the op. on the NHS. We were very lucky that we could afford it and feel for those who cannot. On a lighter note 'and with a 'contains topics of a sexual mature warning' An MP is having a tour of his local hospital. Looking into a side ward he spots a male patient, eyes bulging and red faced, furiously (and I can be no less direct) relieving himself with his right hand. "GOOD GOD" explodes the MP,  "that's absolutely disgraceful, and in an NHS hospital!"  The doctor glances in the room and says "Ah, he has a rare condition called Seminal Hypertension, unless the pressure is relieved every hour or so his testicles will rupture and his ###### split". "Oh! The poor man" says the MP, "what marvellous work you do here". A little later in the tour, as the surroundings become a good deal more pleasant, the MP catches the most outrageous sight in plush, private room. Easing back over the bed, eyes glazed, is a patient. Kneeling before him and performing the most intimate and personal service is a busty young nurse. Before the incandescent  MP can speak the doctor raises a calming hand and says, "Same condition but he's with BUPA....." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 At last some common sense! I was just about to speak to the Customer Relations Team about the situation (I had spoken to nursing staff/Ward Sister and doctor before) when a more Senior Doctor paid me a visit and stayed for half an hour. All questions have been answered. Tests for all the obvious infections have proved negative, so the search continues. Liver and kidneys have returned to normal... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Here's my NHS story from 2001. I flew over from New York (one of the first flights out after 9/11 - a grand total of 49 people on a 747) when my Mother was diagnosed with AML (which is usually terminal). I called her GP when she seemed to be having trouble breathing or rather getting oxygen inside her. He was there within the hour and was great but he said she needed to go into Hospital and called the Ambulance service - then told me he would have to go before they arrived as it was not done for him to be there (what was that about)? Turns out that our local cottage hospital had closed as had the local one with ER I remember at Harold Wood - she had to go to Romford. I went in the ambulance with her and they dropped her off at the ER and virtually gave me the bum's rush. Next morning I went back and had to ask what ward she was in - she was still in ER on exactly the same stretcher, she had had breakfast of a kind. It was awfull, she felt dirty and next to her was some drunken sot. She asked me to wash her feet for some reason (almost Biblical) so I did after obtaining a cardboard bowl - yes, literally a cardboard freaking bowl form a nurse. She did end up in a ward but it was really no better it being in the oldest part of the hospital which had been a "Work House" when Victoria had been on the throne! Stank of urine and I spent the next couple of days trying to get her into somewhere better but no local private hospitals would take her. Eventually I found her a room at the local Wellington Nurses hospice but alas she died in that shithole before she could be moved. The whole thing sucked big time as you can imagine. In 2001 as well. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Btw I pay $1,200 per month over here (for three piece family..........) and it's worth it. I can even see any specialist without a referral from my GP. I'm treated like a human being. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted February 22, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2011 At last some common sense! I was just about to speak to the Customer Relations Team about the situation (I had spoken to nursing staff/Ward Sister and doctor before) when a more Senior Doctor paid me a visit and stayed for half an hour. All questions have been answered. Tests for all the obvious infections have proved negative, so the search continues. Liver and kidneys have returned to normal... Good news about the liver and kidney functions. When I've had similar symptoms to you they have never found an infective cause but I suppose they have to eliminate (hope that isn't an insensitive word!) them. At Barts I liked the attitude of,"this often works, don't know why but we are doing research!". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted February 22, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2011 Btw I pay $1,200 per month over here (for three piece family..........) and it's worth it. I can even see any specialist without a referral from my GP. I'm treated like a human being. Best, Pete. As part of my wife's salary she gets a healthcare package that is equivalent to about £79 a month. I'm not sure what that gets her though. I suspect that if she had to take out a personal policy the premiums would be excessive as she would have to tick more than a few of the boxes that require you to phone for an advisor! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Shedman5 Posted February 22, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2011 My wife and I have had private insurance through work for over 20 years, I have yet to use it but my wife has had 4 claims. As I approach retirement in 18 months I am wondering if I should have a good check up and then utilise the scheme to sort things out if required ! However given that I see medicine from a close view via work my belieif is avoid hospitals and Doctors as much as possible and always wash your hands leaving such place more so if a Dr has shaken your hand !!!!!!!! PS this topic/section whatever is about to hit 500pages, well done all of you for keeping Early Risers going Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDolfelin Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 "Liver and kidneys have returned to normal.." Where had they been? No wonder you weren't feeling well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Just returned from a flexi sigmoidoscopy, (camera up the bum) and all looks OK, which is a relief. Several biopsies taken and sent off for analysis, but not expecting anything of significance. So favourite is now just an extreme reaction to Diclofenac. Fingers crossed, I should be home in a few days. Soon be back modelling. Got some good ideas for Eastwood Hamlet..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Excellent news Gordon. Let's hope you'll be home soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BoD Posted February 22, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2011 Just returned from a flexi sigmoidoscopy, (camera up the bum) and all looks OK, which is a relief........ ......Got some good ideas for Eastwood Hamlet..... The mind boggles as what ideas a flexi sigmoidoscopy might have given you. We await the results with baited breath Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Lots of tunnels made from flexible pipe.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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