Want to say one thing - thanks to the NHS

On Monday I went to A+E as I'd not been too well for a few days. It transpires that I've had a very mild heart attack and am waiting for an angiogram. I'm feeling ok, bit tired, but to be expected.

The staff in A+E have been nothing short of incredible. Ridiculous queues of people waiting to get in to see someone, 12 hour shifts, constant rushing around, they really do have a thankless task. I'm aware some have not had the same experiences, but mine (and many I know) have had great services.

It was an experience that shocked me, though. It's been 20 years since I was last in A+E and things were never as busy. People requiring treatment sleeping on chairs in corridors. Beds in corridors. Consultants discussing issues with patients as there were no cubicles available. Totally overrun. Some will say there's no amount of money that could sort this, but it is trying to provide as good a service for as little as possible on patient care. Maybe there are too many bosses.

However, I couldn't give a crap about politics over this. We have an institution to treasure. It needs sorting out.

Get well soon Eric and I agree with you about the NHS.

Take care Eric, look after yourself.

The NHS has many many problems but you can’t fault the majority of nurses and doctors who work hard in difficult situations mostly with little thanks.

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

On Monday I went to A+E as I'd not been too well for a few days. It transpires that I've had a very mild heart attack and am waiting for an angiogram. I'm feeling ok, bit tired, but to be expected.

The staff in A+E have been nothing short of incredible. Ridiculous queues of people waiting to get in to see someone, 12 hour shifts, constant rushing around, they really do have a thankless task. I'm aware some have not had the same experiences, but mine (and many I know) have had great services.

It was an experience that shocked me, though. It's been 20 years since I was last in A+E and things were never as busy. People requiring treatment sleeping on chairs in corridors. Beds in corridors. Consultants discussing issues with patients as there were no cubicles available. Totally overrun. Some will say there's no amount of money that could sort this, but it is trying to provide as good a service for as little as possible on patient care. Maybe there are too many bosses.

However, I couldn't give a crap about politics over this. We have an institution to treasure. It needs sorting out.

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Glad you came through. Wishing you a solid recovery.

Get well soon Eric, good to hear from you again. I had experience of NHS care a few years back, nothing but praise and admiration for the staff under extreme pressure.

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Get well soon Eric, good to hear from you again. I had experience of NHS care a few years back, nothing but praise and admiration for the staff under extreme pressure.

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Ditto to all that.

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery Eric.

I wish you a speedy recovery
Agree totally about the NHS 100%

Wishing you well in your recovery, and you are right, it is an institution we should cherish.

Speedy recovery stay well.

Great to hear your well .

It is an important cog in our society and it has served you well .

Your health and others is what it's all about .

There's enough funding to get it right if managed correctly by the Trusts .

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Get well soon Eric, good to hear from you again. I had experience of NHS care a few years back, nothing but praise and admiration for the staff under extreme pressure.

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:thumbup:

Keep safe mate

The NHS is fantastic but it needs more money

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Originally Posted by life on mars

Great to hear your well .

It is an important cog in our society and it has served you well .

Your health and others is what it's all about .

There's enough funding to get it right if managed correctly by the Trusts .

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Here we go.

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

Keep safe mate

The NHS is fantastic but it needs more money

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The concept of the NHS is fantastic but isn't it the case that it's inferior to many systems on the continent? I've been involved with the NHS a great deal in recent months (and due to the poor health of a close relative) and even the specialists I have had meetings with have discussed the fact that the system is failing around them. I spent the best part of a week hanging about in corridors with my relative and the whole system seemed that it was creaking but under the stewardship of well-meaning and dedicated staff. The experience has left me wondering if I should pay for private health cover, such was the endlessly depressing waiting periods at every stage.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

The concept of the NHS is fantastic but isn't it the case that it's inferior to many systems on the continent? I've been involved with the NHS a great deal in recent months (and due to the poor health of a close relative) and even the specialists I have had meetings with have discussed the fact that the system is failing around them. I spent the best part of a week hanging about in corridors with my relative and the whole system seemed that it was creaking but under the stewardship of well-meaning and dedicated staff. The experience has left me wondering if I should pay for private health cover, such was the endlessly depressing waiting periods at every stage.

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I don't know if it's inferior to the French, German , Spanish , Italian systems but unless we change our system to a better one .....if that exists ...then we have to keep increasing the amount of money we spend on it

Social care is incredibly important and takes so much pressure off the nhs but it was privatised

Sort that out and we might have a chance

:thumbup:

Hope you’re soon in the pink again.

Welcome back. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Can't fault them. My missus got admitted to the Grange this afternoon after going into AF three years after her last night episode. Only thing that will correct it is a Cardioversion !! (She's had over 10 now and is still a fit 54 year old. It's a very worrying procedure, however again the staff were superb. She's in Resus tonight but will hopefully pick her up sometime tomorrow.
Glad to hear you received the same attentive care.

Get well soon Eric. God bless the NHS and long may it continue.

Forgot to say that I wish you well, Eric.

Best wishes Eric for a speedy recovery.

God bless the NHS.

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

On Monday I went to A+E as I'd not been too well for a few days. It transpires that I've had a very mild heart attack and am waiting for an angiogram. I'm feeling ok, bit tired, but to be expected.

The staff in A+E have been nothing short of incredible. Ridiculous queues of people waiting to get in to see someone, 12 hour shifts, constant rushing around, they really do have a thankless task. I'm aware some have not had the same experiences, but mine (and many I know) have had great services.

It was an experience that shocked me, though. It's been 20 years since I was last in A+E and things were never as busy. People requiring treatment sleeping on chairs in corridors. Beds in corridors. Consultants discussing issues with patients as there were no cubicles available. Totally overrun. Some will say there's no amount of money that could sort this, but it is trying to provide as good a service for as little as possible on patient care. Maybe there are too many bosses.

However, I couldn't give a crap about politics over this. We have an institution to treasure. It needs sorting out.

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Sorry to hear you've not been well, thank goodness for the NHS, it's good to know that when we really do need them they are still there for us, speedy recovery and takes things easy :thumbup:

I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Nothing but good experiences with the NHS staff 👏

Best wishes Eric.

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Originally Posted by life on mars

Great to hear your well .

It is an important cog in our society and it has served you well .

Your health and others is what it's all about .

There's enough funding to get it right if managed correctly by the Trusts .

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You just couldnt help yourself could you?

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Originally Posted by Henry Hill

You just couldnt help yourself could you?

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I notice nobody had a pop at TBG

Glad you are well Eric

People will have good and bad experiences/stories of the nhs. What some may deem acceptable another person will no doubt play hell over etc.

Speedy recovery :thumbup:

Totally agree about the hard shifts nurses and doctors put in and doubly agree about too many chiefs

Glad you're OK Eric and yes, you're right - the NHS needs looking after, whatever it takes.
Glad you're back on here too 🙂

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Originally Posted by Dembe

I notice nobody had a pop at TBG

Glad you are well Eric

People will have good and bad experiences/stories of the nhs. What some may deem acceptable another person will no doubt play hell over etc.

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Why would anyone 'have a pop' at me? I asked an open question and it was prompted by my own, albeit limited, experiences in the Dutch and German health systems and the French system seems to have a good reputation. I am genuinely interested in the thoughts and experiences of other posters regarding the health systems of our European neighbours - and finding it strange that asking such a question is worthy of a 'pop', as you put it.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Why would anyone 'have a pop' at me? I asked an open question and it was prompted by my own, albeit limited, experiences in the Dutch and German health systems and the French system seems to have a good reputation. I am genuinely interested in the thoughts and experiences of other posters regarding the health systems of our European neighbours - and finding it strange that asking such a question is worthy of a 'pop', as you put it.

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You are misunderstanding me. I am not saying there is anything wrong with what you said, but people are quick to have a go at LoM for what he said, you've both had opinions and nobody is bothered when you have one, but for some reason as always LoM has one and people criticise it.

Get well soon Eric. Hope to see you back on her posting more stats when you are fully fit!

Get well soon Eric

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Why would anyone 'have a pop' at me? I asked an open question and it was prompted by my own, albeit limited, experiences in the Dutch and German health systems and the French system seems to have a good reputation. I am genuinely interested in the thoughts and experiences of other posters regarding the health systems of our European neighbours - and finding it strange that asking such a question is worthy of a 'pop', as you put it.

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It's a good question and I have some interest in this area, though I'm not that familiar with continental healthcare systems - but on the whole, it's a bit of a minefield comparing different healthcare systems. One way is to assess where systems are better or worse, comparatively.

https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight...ther-countries

This short overview does that to some extent. Briefly - 1. more efficient in some areas (eg admin, contrary to what some would have you believe), 2. better protection from financial stress & lower spend on private healthcare (so fewer people not accessing services because of the financial implication), 3. fewer beds & equipment, 4. lower staffing levels & 5. worse patient outcomes on average (but note, the UK performs better in some areas).

That's not to say that other systems are all rosy though - there are funding issues, ageing populations, greater demand for services, workforce shortages etc - so this is a global problem, not only a UK problem.

I don't have the exact figures but as I understand it, pound for pound the NHS outperforms many other countries, so comparing to France or Germany, for example isn't that helpful if they spend more per capita (I think Germany has some of the highest spend per capita), or have some elements of 'co-payment' (as does France I believe). One of the key issues is we've not kept up with demand - so the requirement is something like a 4% budget increase each year whereas the NHS has been systematically underfunded, at least in recent years, and now we're in the crisis we can see all around us. That said, we should still be looking to France to learn how to improve cardiac care, for example. Incidentally, Eric, I'm glad to hear you're ok and in good hands.

Another thing you often hear is the 'too many managers' mantra - which I can understand - we all feel like we need more front line staff and fewer bosses - until you unpack the data - which shows that managers are a vital part of the healthcare service, and are under immense pressure themselves, rather than the bureaucratic fat-cats the likes of the mail would have you believe. https://academic.oup.com/jpart/article/29/2/193/5236802 - this study shows their positive influence overall.

Best wishes mate - wish for you the strength I'm sure you'll have to get through it well and for best treatment possible for you. x

Look after yourself Eric, get well soon.

Get well soon, Eric. Hopefully whats happened puts the forum and Cardiff City into perspective and hope to see you back on here soon.

Glad you're on the mend, Eric.

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Originally Posted by J R Hartley

Get well soon, Eric. Hopefully whats happened puts the forum and Cardiff City into perspective and hope to see you back on here soon.

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This! Feel better Eric.

Get well soon mate. Speedy recovery.