There's very little I can add to this other than the suggestion that every Prime Minister and Health Secretary since 1997 should be locked up for the murders they've sanctioned.
Puts meaning into the phrase "The operation was successful but the patient died". Can you imagine ANY private buisness where there is no audits or responsibilty taken for results. Someone should be held responsable, might make the rest reconsider their career decision.
Look at the Euro Health consumer indexes to see where UK comes in European health service audits, usually halfway or below in the table - http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=36&Itemid=55
They're hoping to add Australia & USA to future benchmarking - http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/
Audits? There are hundreds of audits carried out daily throughout the NHS. So many audits that staff now with clip boards out number the nursing and auxiliary staff. The other morning for 28 acutely ill patients most need the attention of 2 nurses for basic daily hygiene there were 4 nurses and 4 clip board staff !!! They won't roll there sleeves up. Nursing these days is an exercise in ticking boxes not patient contact. Three years training to fill in yet another form. Every minutia is audited while practical hands on stuff takes last place in importance to managers. I even devised my own audit to attempt to prove to management the high dependancy of the patients on the ward and therefore the appropriate staffing levels.
I was personally commended on my initiative !!! but the outcome was never acted on. Not quite the result I was hoping for. Management show no respect or understanding, they make no attempt to listen to the professionals they employ.
Having worked one 10hr shift without a break and still 2 hours to go. Not enough staff to deal with the needs of the all our high dependant patients the chief exec visited the ward !! Not on duty his friend was a patient. His comment on exit? Why hadn't we had a nurse stationed on the door asking visitors to alcohol gel their hands !! Why ? Because on our ward patients needs came first.
These are surveys / audits comparing all health services in European economic area (not EU). Comparison of provision of services in all the Health services in the European area every year. UK is below several former soviet block countries. Comment "mediocre" was removed from UK entry in 2008. Indexes show Bismarck systems outperform Beveridge systems. UK is Beveridge system. UK has the idea it has one of the best health systems with a few problems whereas the system is one of the poorer performing ones.
Having had thromboses since 1986; Renal failure, 2x Dieulafoy’s duodenal arterial lesions, Cortisteroid brain shock differential diagnosis TIA, Tubular interstitial nephritis & Uveitis, degenerative arthritis, Osteoarthrose, atopia, 9 allergies, borderline lupus, sleep apnoea, prostate problems, oedema, IBS, high blood pressure etc - hospital inpatient (4x intensive care) in South Africa, Switzerland and UK. Now UK resident enjoying the benefits of the NHS!! I have conducted my own personal involuntary audit of health systems. I would place UK NHS way below the Swiss & South African systems. Swiss and South Africa are proactive in treatment, i.e. regular controls for known problems; UK is reactive, treat the immediate problem but rarely give long term check-ups - "We don't do that here", "You've got your tablets haven't you so you don't need anything else!".
I have never posted a comment before, though I have visited your blog almost daily since you first came to "fame" in the press whilst in hospital. I greatly agree with your opinions and am married to a doctor who retired early when his health problems prevented him from coping with the rigours of the NHS. Thought you might like to read the article today in the Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7401311/The-NHS-hospital-the-hell-of-finding-myself-in-a-hospital-bed.html Good luck
Puts meaning into the phrase "The operation was successful but the patient died". Can you imagine ANY private buisness where there is no audits or responsibilty taken for results. Someone should be held responsable, might make the rest reconsider their career decision.
ReplyDeleteLook at the Euro Health consumer indexes to see where UK comes in European health service audits, usually halfway or below in the table - http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=36&Itemid=55
ReplyDeleteThey're hoping to add Australia & USA to future benchmarking - http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/
JohnB
Audits? There are hundreds of audits carried out daily throughout the NHS. So many audits that staff now with clip boards out number the nursing and auxiliary staff. The other morning for 28 acutely ill patients most need the attention of 2 nurses for basic daily hygiene there were 4 nurses and 4 clip board staff !!! They won't roll there sleeves up. Nursing these days is an exercise in ticking boxes not patient contact. Three years training to fill in yet another form. Every minutia is audited while practical hands on stuff takes last place in importance to managers. I even devised my own audit to attempt to prove to management the high dependancy of the patients on the ward and therefore the appropriate staffing levels.
ReplyDeleteI was personally commended on my initiative !!! but the outcome was never acted on. Not quite the result I was hoping for. Management show no respect or understanding, they make no attempt to listen to the professionals they employ.
Having worked one 10hr shift without a break and still 2 hours to go. Not enough staff to deal with the needs of the all our high dependant patients the chief exec visited the ward !! Not on duty his friend was a patient. His comment on exit? Why hadn't we had a nurse stationed on the door asking visitors to alcohol gel their hands !! Why ? Because on our ward patients needs came first.
These are surveys / audits comparing all health services in European economic area (not EU). Comparison of provision of services in all the Health services in the European area every year. UK is below several former soviet block countries. Comment "mediocre" was removed from UK entry in 2008. Indexes show Bismarck systems outperform Beveridge systems. UK is Beveridge system. UK has the idea it has one of the best health systems with a few problems whereas the system is one of the poorer performing ones.
ReplyDeleteHaving had thromboses since 1986; Renal failure, 2x Dieulafoy’s duodenal arterial lesions, Cortisteroid brain shock differential diagnosis TIA, Tubular interstitial nephritis & Uveitis, degenerative arthritis, Osteoarthrose, atopia, 9 allergies, borderline lupus, sleep apnoea, prostate problems, oedema, IBS, high blood pressure etc - hospital inpatient (4x intensive care) in South Africa, Switzerland and UK. Now UK resident enjoying the benefits of the NHS!! I have conducted my own personal involuntary audit of health systems. I would place UK NHS way below the Swiss & South African systems. Swiss and South Africa are proactive in treatment, i.e. regular controls for known problems; UK is reactive, treat the immediate problem but rarely give long term check-ups - "We don't do that here", "You've got your tablets haven't you so you don't need anything else!".
JohnB
I have never posted a comment before, though I have visited your blog almost daily since you first came to "fame" in the press whilst in hospital.
ReplyDeleteI greatly agree with your opinions and am married to a doctor who retired early when his health problems prevented him from coping with the rigours of the NHS.
Thought you might like to read the article today in the Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7401311/The-NHS-hospital-the-hell-of-finding-myself-in-a-hospital-bed.html
Good luck