Back in the day, I was asked if I'd like to move from studying physiology to medicine. I said no. I loved medicine, I loved the theory medicine but I knew I did not have the special X Factor required or the vocation to follow medicine as a career. And, as it is my life took a whole different turning - but's that's another story!
With my health of late and being cared for by the NHS, my admiration for the service, which has always been high, has just soared even higher. It also confirmed my decision was right all those years ago. I have had to sit in wards and waiting rooms with some of the most rude, ungrateful and all round moaning patients in the world (and yes, at times I haven't stayed silent!). No, the system is not perfect, it does not run to clockwork, there are human errors, and there isn't a magic wand. It's a hospital not a hotel.
NHS reforms are a big issue with the coming in of the new Government, as is the idea of the 'big society'. And at some point we (the patient, the customer, the consumer) have to take some of the brunt of why the NHS is hemorrhaging funds and so many staff are demoralised.
When I was staying in hospital my room overlooked A&E, mid-week. At midnight, as I was 8 hours of having to lie flat on my back after the biopsy, some drunken arse decided outside A&E was a perfect place to hold an impromptu concert. Luckily for him I was immobilised as otherwise I could have happily given him a good reason to need a doctor. You see I have no patience. Get yourself in that state and end up in A&E, I'd have you muzzled to keep you quiet and if you choked on your own vomit well tough shit! Not being a doctor was a good idea, eh?!
Last night I watched The Hospital on channel 4 - do this at your own risk of increased blood pressure. Last night was teenagers with no regard for their sexual health whatsoever, no regard for the time and money they were wasting my missing appointments or routinely using services due to repeating stupid and reckless behaviour. They don't want to be told what to do, yet in the last generation have been brought up unable to get off the State's tit and require nannying. Yes we need education, we need intervention but at some point can we stop pussy footing around, some people are just stupid and requiring shaking to their boots.
Hear hear!!
Posted by: Pink | 27 July 2010 at 08:48 PM