Disgraceful NHS

**MaureenHall** · 15-01-2009, 09:00 PM

Doesn't surprise me in the least! My last job (before I retired) was as a computer trainer in the NHS, teaching doctors, nurses, community staff etc how to use the new all-singing-all-dancing system that would enable any healthcare professional anywhere in the country to access medical records of patients even those outside their area. The budget set aside by the government for this system was at first around �6 billion. When I left, this had risen to around �20 billion and no way is the system ever going to work! The money we pay into the NHS from our hard-earned work is being wasted on rubbish like this instead of being spent on staffing adequately our hospitals.

Hmmmm better not get started, I'm really really disillusioned with our NHS (can't you tell?) All credit to the Doctors and Nurses who are doing the best they can within the restrictions that are imposed on them

**ailsasyl** · 15-01-2009, 09:46 PM

I know in our hospital the departments are not linked I arrived in A and E check address,its under old one change it, get to ward, change it, they give me appointment for return visit, we'll get it changed says nurse and book ambulance, cant drive leg in plaster, no one available to take me whats happens ambulance goes to wrong address re-book appt, phones to check address is change yes says them , ambulance goes to old address again!! Luckily mum spots it pulling up at old address and sends them to me, driver then gets address change for ambulance folk!!
OK I get that maybe not everyone in hospital needs to see your full medical record but surely it would be linked to change basic stuff like the address!?!

**Jardiniere** · 15-01-2009, 11:39 PM

Here in France we have something called a Carte Vitale which is used to record your visits etc ....i thought it contained allsorts of info also..but not certain exactly what it has on it...cos at the hospital when i had my emergency nose stuff done..they still asked me for date of birth etc. I get a print out in the post very couple of months telling me what i've spent where and what i have been reimbursed etc....
when i had blood tests done ...the nurse came to my house to do it at 6 in the morning....and the results arrived in the post 3 days later....when i had my smear test the result arrived in 4 days.....you pay (and get a proportion reimbursed) but you get the treatment....

**kernowyon** · 15-01-2009, 11:48 PM

Originally posted by allotmentlady View Post

I am disgusted that now everything computerised in hospitals, things can go missing.

it is all to easy to blame the labs for losing results etc, as we are an easy target. but if you put crap details into the system on illegible or poorly labelled forms with no location, doctor or where to send reports things do go astray. at our local hospital we perform tests on over 3000 people a day and we only ever here about the results that are late, missing etc never the 99.9% of stuff that is processed in a timely fashion. just makes you realise what a thankless task working for the NHS really is.

**Hans Mum** · 16-01-2009, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by kernowyon View Post

it is all to easy to blame the labs for losing results etc, as we are an easy target. but if you put crap details into the system on illegible or poorly labelled forms with no location, doctor or where to send reports things do go astray. at our local hospital we perform tests on over 3000 people a day and we only ever here about the results that are late, missing etc never the 99.9% of stuff that is processed in a timely fashion. just makes you realise what a thankless task working for the NHS really is.

well put kernowyon i know its frustrating when its you or your loved ones but most people in the NHS want to help and treat patients effectively, doesnt help when the government are constantly adding new targets or systems or other good ideas

**willowstar** · 16-01-2009, 09:16 AM

totally agree kernowyon...have worked the NHS for most of my working life and hate that people never talk about the good, only ever the bad. and at the moment I am working on a study where i am trying to track blood results and can absolutely vouch that the info that goes into the system can only reflect what is put on the form. think we are going to be developing some new educational packages around that. anyway...you are doing a great job :-)

**SlugLobber** · 16-01-2009, 10:37 AM

Is it possible to save your results on a memory stick when you go, does anyone know? If it's anything like veterinary results, they are legally yours and you are entitled to a copy of them. Failing that, I carry my camera with me absolutely everywhere. Might be an idea to PHOTOGRAPH the results!

I sympathise, Kernowyon. I have to put up with 'Bash the Scientist' on a regular basis, on every forum I've ever visited.

**allotmentlady** · 16-01-2009, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by Hans Mum View Post

well put kernowyon i know its frustrating when its you or your loved ones but most people in the NHS want to help and treat patients effectively, doesnt help when the government are constantly adding new targets or systems or other good ideas

I aint bashing anyone because noone holds their hands up and says its my fault!!! So can anyone explain how peoples records/results go missing? No one wants to accept responsibility.

Maybe your hospital is better organised than ours.

**Hans Mum** · 16-01-2009, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by allotmentlady View Post

Maybe your hospital is better organised than ours.

doubt it... but we do try our best

**Alison** · 17-01-2009, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by Hans Mum View Post

doubt it... but we do try our best

That's very important to remember when we slate organisations, yes they'll be a few that really don't care but by far the majority of individuals will be hard working and caring. Sometimes we can be very critical of a whole organisation based on our experiences with a few and this must be quite demoralising for the good guys to be stereotyped in such a way.

**miffy** · 17-01-2009, 07:17 PM

My hubbie works for the NHS his hours are long, most nurses now do double shifts to ensure patient care continuity which means a 12 hour day! His pay is really pants compared to the level of responsibility he has and the danger of his job, he works on a mental health ward. The number of times i hear the NHS being slated is so bad as it is at crisis point, so many patients, epidemics on wards, non existent budgets, recruitment issues the service is at breaking point. However for every one case like your friends there will be so many more where people are cared for, and made better by the unsung heroes who work in hospitals. We expect alot from the nurses, care assistants, doctors, cleaners etc in our hospitals and when they mess up boy do we hear about it but no one ever takes the time to say thank you when they get it right. My son was rushed into hospital desperately ill and he and i were so frightened but all the staff were so kind, efficient and thoughtful i couldn't fault the care they gave us, he is on the mend now.
I agree with Alison please think about all those dedicated people who are always there when we need them. I am in total ore of my hubbie and what he does every day he is my hero, he doesn't drive a big red fire engine and rescue people from buildings what he does is help them to rebuild their lives so they can live again. Please don't knock the NHS it aint all bad.

**jackie j** · 17-01-2009, 07:51 PM

I am not knocking the nurses and dooctors, I think most of them do a brilliant job. Its the paper shufflers and the bosses. I am sure a few could be got rid of to make money for nurses, they do not get enough pay in my mind.

**Glutton4...** · 17-01-2009, 10:34 PM

If the NHS is that bad why is there such a queue of people from other countries waiting to get into the UK to take advantage of it?

I'm not saying it's perfect, but neither is Banking, Education, Insurance, Publishing, whatever... Modern advances in Media just mean it is so much easier to lose information, whatever the field. A briefcase full of files is easy to see, or chain to your wrist. But put a flash-card or a dongle in your pocket, not knowing there's a hole in the bottom...

BTW i'm not making excuses for anyone.

**miffy** · 17-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Lets face it guys there are plonkers in all walks of life, i have met some in my profession, teachers who don't even like children! I ask you.

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