Early Risers.

[Tony_S]

42 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

consultant I know was recently complaining that "junior doctors" have it easier than he did when he was a junior - when 96 - 100 hour weeks were the norm.

Aditi’s Dad wanted to be a consultant after moving to England but back in the early 1960s he said it was clear that he wasn’t going to become one in his preferred specialism. The only ones seemingly open to Asians then were mental health or geriatrics. So he became a GP. His first job after qualifying in 1947 was on call 24 hours, 7 days a a week living in a tent, with occasional leave. He had to be his own pharmacist, and lab technician and managed to find a few people for nursing duties. I am pretty certain he wouldn’t have wanted his offspring who became medics to have such experiences. Though he did say having to be his own pharmacist and lab technician did make him very aware of the importance of such roles. 
The previous long hours regime in the UK selected those who coped best with sleep deprivation rather than medical prowess. 

Edited June 21, 2022 by Tony_S

[iL Dottore]

20 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

At the first sign of infection the clinically vulnerable are offered a range of antivirals developed for Covid. If I as a vulnerable person send off three negative Covid tests but feel unwell enough to have taken them, I will be issued with antivirals just in case (including nMABs with very long names). I am in England which is for the moment still in the UK. There is also an ongoing vaccination programme for those it is deemed appropriate, I had my fifth vaccine recently, contacted by NHS, arranged on NHS website, administered for NHS by local pharmacy. All seemed very efficient. 

I’m only citing what a UK expert stated in the presentation yesterday. Perhaps a case of “post code lottery” and the expert’s local NHS trust differs from elsewhere?

[Tony_S]

16 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

I’m only citing what a UK expert stated in the presentation yesterday. Perhaps a case of “post code lottery” and the expert’s local NHS trust differs from elsewhere?

No, it is a national scheme, only local at the point of delivery. Perhaps the local expert doesn’t know about national schemes? By national, I mean England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do things differently and I have no idea what happens there. I was informed about all the procedures by text and email. If I hadn’t expressed a preference I would have got a letter. Did your meeting have anyone from the Zoe project? Their  webinars about research are interesting and as John Colby reports they are still attempting to produce meaningful information from the now limited data available. I only watch the webinars about what is happening for people who are immunosuppressed. Still, not great but they seem to have advocated for what has happened for me, have any vaccine offered, recommend having different vaccines, and get antivirals. Fortunately haven’t needed the antivirals as they still advise (as do government) avoiding crowds indoors as I do. I avoid them outdoors too!

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by Tony_S
Grammar

[grandadbob]

Just in case there's any misunderstanding the only reason I have had a PCR test is to check I am free from Covid prior to my surgery on Friday.  I have no symptoms and never have had any since it all began but have been told to isolate to ensure that I don't catch anything before the op.  I have to use a special antimicrobial shower wash and change the towels and bedding daily for five days.   I've also got a nasal decontaminaton gel to shove up my nose twice daily again for five days.  Short of running me through a sheep dip or hosing me down with bleach I think they've near enough got me covered!  🤪

[BlackRat]

Sending Condolences to Dave.

[Ian Abel]

Chewsady <phew>...

 

Survived yesterday where we managed a record 101F (38.3C) at the airport , reference point for temperature readings. Heat index of 107F (41.6C)

 

Little was done OUTSIDE, although frequent trips to replenish the water in the bird bath as it was evaporating rather fast and the birds were definitely in need.

 

Today, working, Mrs off on a trip to the Art Institute with her book club, for a tour and then lunch.

 

22 first thing, expected to reach ONLY 31 today, yay, mostly sunny.

 

Tally ho.

[J. S. Bach]

7 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

My Dad died at one o'clock this morning in hospital. I was called at a quarter to one to tell me that he was deteriorating but by the time I got there he had gone.

Dave

As posted on the Night Mail (around 0940 EDT): "I am so sorry to read this. Like the others "been there, done that"; for me it was in 1978 and I still  remember some of the good times. And prayers are being sent."

 

But with a very sad follow-up: At 1000 EDT i went to our Tuesday morning Bible study on Facebook and the pastor announced that a good friend's wife had passed away last night; I could not help the tears from that announcement.

 

All-in-all not a very good morning.

[grandadbob]

Very sorry to hear that Dave. 

[Gwiwer]

9 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Piriton shuts me down completely.

Which is why I use Allocan

 

7 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

Condolences, @Dave Hunt

Totally echoed here with other comments left in TNM.  Support offered at any time.  

 

In other news ..... well you have seen the news.  I can say no more.  

[chrisf]

8 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

My Dad died at one o'clock this morning in hospital. I was called at a quarter to one to tell me that he was deteriorating but by the time I got there he had gone.

 

Dave

 

May he rest in peace and be fondly remembered.

 

Chris

[TheQ]

Not a good day is it,

My little brother, 10 years younger than me, has just been told he has cancer, kidney and liver.. 

Six week chemo coming up....

[New Haven Neil]

4 hours ago, Barry O said:

 

 

Snip<. especially the very well paid consultants who can block change as and when  they like.

 

 

Exactly the reason I left the NHS.  Having got agreement for a change to the note-keeping system in our department (Podiatry - 16k patients on the books) with doctors, clinicians and the overarching Con-bl@@dy-sultant, worked for six months to implement this over 32 separate clinics, spent a Kings ransom on hardware etc, etc etc, the SAME *&^%ing consultant changed his mind, and the whole lot was wasted, as well as my (as administration manager) and my staff's time.  Pushed me to the edge, so I walked before I lost it totally.  The Clinical Manager also walked, she'd had enough too, she became CEO at another Trust.

[The White Rabbit]

Evening all,

 

If I can add my name to those offering condolences to Dave H?

 

And best wishes to the Q & JS Bach and all those others who have been clobbered with bad news today. Or other days recently. Troubles do seem to come in batches at the moment. Fingers crossed things will get better soon. 

 

Not much to report. The blackbirds, bluetits, goldfinches and sparrows continue their usual activities. A warm and sunny day here as well and the birdbaths have been refilled several times. 

 

[Dave Hunt]

My heartfelt thanks for all the messages of sympathy and empathy. What a really great bunch you are; the support here is wonderful. Today has gone by in a blur of visits to solicitors, undertakers, estate agents and banks as well as phone calls to allsorts of people. Having only had about three hours sleep last night I'm having an early one tonight after a small libation.

 

And my sympathies to all the other ERs who are having a bad time.

 

Dave

[grandadbob]

Evenin' each,

It's been a sad day for some of our friends here.  The trouble is that as we all get older we are more likely to experience this more and more.

Still sunny and warm here at 24°C but at least the garden is now in the shade so I've been out there for a while and pottered about and given the pots and beds a good soaking.  

Just enjoyed one of my home made burgers and washed it down with a very acceptable Primitivo Puglia from Naked Wines.  Another glass is imminent. 🍷😁

[Coombe Barton]

... I do wonder whether the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury festivals will be seen to be superspreader events? ...

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2022/06/21/rising-covid-with-very-large-numbers/

[BoD]

5 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

one consultant I know was recently complaining that "junior doctors" have it easier than he did when he was a junior - when 96 - 100 hour weeks were the norm.

Moving from that particular case to the general…. Isn’t it strange that most of us spent our time trying to make life better for our own offspring and the next generation … and then complain when they do ‘have it easier’ than us.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Went out into the garden about half an hour ago. I now wish I hadn't as the hay fever hit me head on. Ironically it was to take a few pics of my garden for a gardening service. 

[PhilJ W]

2 minutes ago, BoD said:

Moving from that particular case to the general…. Isn’t it strange that most of us spent our time trying to make life better for our own offspring and the next generation … and then complain when they do ‘have it easier’ than us.

I have certainly had it easier than my parents. When I think of what they went through, recession, WW2 and the austerity years that followed. It was easier for me to find a job, get a mortgage than my parents and indeed for the generations that have followed. It is true that most of us baby boomers really have never had it so good.

[simontaylor484]

6 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Anyone know what's happened to @polybear - he's been surprisingly quiet over the past few days....

Happen he is in the Co-op searching for invisible oven chips or managed to fasten himself to the wall in a bizarre dado rail accident 

 

All joking aside I do hope he is ok

[Gwiwer]

A fine evening. 
 

[New Haven Neil]

3 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

Which is why I use Allocan

 

 

just looked that up - cetirizine.  I tried that, loratidine works better for me, but still not that great. :-(

[BoD]

18 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

A fine evening. 
 

Goodness the blackberries are ripening. It must be Autumn.

[Ozexpatriate]

19 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

A fine evening. 

Wow, those berries are well developed. With our cool damp Spring, the wild (and invasive) Himalayan Blackberries here are still in bloom. Ripened berries are a long way off.

 

The solstice has brought with it warm weather as forecast. Today is delightful. After weeks under 20°C some time around 25°C would be nice, but we are forecast to shoot right into the mid-30°Cs by the weekend.

[iL Dottore]

2 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

 

Exactly the reason I left the NHS.  Having got agreement for a change to the note-keeping system in our department (Podiatry - 16k patients on the books) with doctors, clinicians and the overarching Con-bl@@dy-sultant, worked for six months to implement this over 32 separate clinics, spent a Kings ransom on hardware etc, etc etc, the SAME *&^%ing consultant changed his mind, and the whole lot was wasted, as well as my (as administration manager) and my staff's time.  Pushed me to the edge, so I walked before I lost it totally.  The Clinical Manager also walked, she'd had enough too, she became CEO at another Trust.

Yes, unfortunately I know the type all too well. Most consultants I have worked with around the world  in various health systems have been  been pretty reasonable. But you do have a few “opinion leaders” who are downright bloody pain-in-the-arse “prima donnas”. Neil, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that the consultant you wrote about  was one of those.