What are you all up to

Our NHS should be and used to be wonderful, now sadly not so much. Our granddaughter developed serious problems as she hit her teenage years. Local hospital Dr after a few tests, ‘ I just don’t know but try these things and it might go away’ over a year it just got worse debilitating her whole life. Dr eventually said,’we could try a specialist, but the waiting time is 2 years’ We couldn’t bear to see her so ill and stepped in and paid for a private specialist, he diagnosed her straight away. She now takes a cocktail of tablets 3 times a day, has to use a wheelchair and is still poorly but she can now get out, see friends and has just completed her college course. It was money so well spent, but suppose we couldn’t have managed it. I truly think that she would still have been very, very sick and unable to leave the house, as before. When it works it can be good but it certainly isn’t like it used to be. GPs used to know the family and you often saw the same one, now it’s almost impossible to actually see one at all, mostly over the phone.

I really feel for those as noted in the last six weeks and two hospitals OH has been in who have no one to question their treatment

 if it was not for our Local University 2nd and  3rd year students at the Lister Hospital at Stevenage some wards would not be able to operate and they do not get paid either and still have have to pay their uni fees

At both hospitals there have also been Bank and Agency staff on the wards most days   

Margaret has a possible problem with one of her eyes (probably due to diabetes). The Optician at Boots referred her to the local hospital but two appointments were cancelled and a new one made for 2023!!! She went back to Boots and saw the same optician and she has managed to get things moving but rather than being sent to MK Hospital she has been referred to quasi private/NHS organisations. She has had to fill in a four page questionnaire when all the relevant information is available but not shared. I know some are nervous about the wider sharing of medical records but why can't it be done internally within the NHS. We had the same problem when we have had to go to Bedford for treatment, nothing joined up!

Talking to next door neighbour yesterday, she has a mother in her nineties and had to go to A&E a while back. Very long wait of over six hours! How can that be? Sorry to be political but how can they talk of tax cuts when in truth we probably all need to pay more to get the NHS back to offering a reasonably good service. I appreciate that COVID has had a major impact but it seems worse now than it did during the pandemic. I think more people will be driven to use the private sector but that does depend on whether individuals can afford to do so.

David 

I really feel for your Grandaughter ;OH had a CT  scan asked for by one of our GPs nearly three years ago, and it and had appointments at several sevaral clinics to see why she kept falling ,it was only last November that a doctor at the frailty clinic said I am not a neurology doctor but I think I may by looking at your wife CT scan found what may the cause and it was confirmed after he referred her to a neurology clinic,

Even now after her hip problems it is still difficult to make it understood that her insterbilty is more neurological than mechanical 

Sorry to read about health problems and sadly we are all having to cope with an understaffed system. Seems hard to believe such a lack of forward planning from all political parties. I think GP surgeries went into free fall when they had to self manage their own practices, too much to do and all the connecting links fell apart. Our medical centre on my last visit had ivy growing inside the windows, which doesn't bode well for general care and maintenance of the patients...

Anyway good luck to those needing help I hope issues can be sorted.

Just as a light diversion we were out in Langport this morning and the river Parrett looked beautiful in the sunshine. We had a break from gardening, have got to the point of open gardens panic and needed an hour away! 

At last a picture of the pool and I did try it out yesterday it was lovely and refreshing will be in again later after a few chores to do, also a picture of the fox in case anybody did not see it under what have you seen section.

By gum it is hot here today upto 36/37 C even local shopping am was quite hot phew.

Hope all goes ok for your OH JVB.

Enjoy your breaks folks and return trips back home.

As it is starting to get busy around here with holiday folks we have decided not to go away but a few nights in the van here with a view of the pool  and hope to be in the van next week just too hot at present 35C inside phew!!!

Envious, me😁 You bet🤣 Looks lovely.👍

Yes, that looks great, you'll be glad we all live a good distance away RedKite....

Good to hear the holiday news from those enjoying breaks, have been interested to read the travelogues. Hope the grass isn't man high for those returning!?

Will put a few garden photos on the garden snap shots thread, carefully taken to avoid the wild life nettles etc.... Sorting out the music today, the scones are in hand (even GF ones WN, a local chap has volunteered the baking!) A meeting tonight so more to do.

Have to say I’ve been really lucky over the last five years with our NHS trust whilst treating my skin problems.  All appointments, scans, minor ops carried out efficiently including during lockdowns.  
Latest incident a few weeks ago when I broke my wrist and had to go to A&E. Total of 3hours and in that time, registered, saw triage, doctor, x-ray, doctor, plastered, x-ray and back to doctor.  

3pm when I left and the department had dealt with 90 cases.  I guess it’s a bit of a postcode lottery really.  

Belated happy birthday Richard and glad to hear that you have had your stitches out and can now get away nellie. Good to hear good news about your NHS treatments OP. 

We have had a good day today. We went to Horsey Wind Pump and happily the wildlife boat trips have resumed. We had a wonderful hour and a half. We saw and heard a lark (both ascending and descending), marsh harriers, a grebe on her very precarious nest ( the fourth one she has built this year), several dragonflies and much else. The guy was so knowedgeable.

Good luck with your garden open day brue.