Day 232

As promised on Saturday's blog I put down some thoughts on the NHS.

Quite what persuaded Jan a nursing assistant to take my pulse on the afternoon of 8 August I'll never know. Afterwards she said I looked a bit funny. She noted that it was all wrong and the next thing I knew I was in bed with various Doctors doing various things to bring my heart rate down. I am still not sure if it was a heart attack or not. Jan is one of those unsung heroes. When I call her old fashioned I mean by that someone who knows how to approach each patient. All are treated equally. Her skills in doing dressings etc. is superb. The other thing I noticed was her eyes are every where. If she sees anything on the floor or a bed that shouldn't be there she does something about it. I recall on the following Saturday she had started at 8.00AM. Apart from a 30 minute Lunch Break she never stopped until after 6.00PM. You wonder working so many hours how effective staff can be. I'm not saying any of the others are bad but Jan is someone special.

The next person in the role of honour is a nurse called Allan. A very quietly spoken man he is very attentive and clearly has the confidence of the Doctors. Being very methodical, you knew he would get to you in due course. Watching him at work, I was very mindful not to press the buzzer. Allan's tone was exemplary.

I don't know the Sister in charge of the High Dependency Unit at Southampton. She runs a very tight ship. We were told that at one management meeting when targets were being discussed she had said you can deal with targets my job is to look after my patients.

Dr.Judith Cave is an Oncologist. She is based in Southampton but once a week does a clinic on the Island. She brings her bike on to the ferry and then cycles about 6 miles to the Hospital. Words like honesty and integrity come to mind. Judith has a refreshing habit of speaking in plain English. She does not dodge awkward questions. When she promises to do something that something happens.

I have mentioned Joya Morris a lot in these blogs. Though not strictly front line she acts as liaison between patient and the medical staff. She told me she gets 100 referrals a year. Apart from that she does home visits, runs a support group and has also attended funerals for those patients who sadly have not made it. Such people should be treasured. I remain fearful that if cuts are to happen in the NHS her post might be vulnerable which would be a disgrace.

Who else? Well I must not forget Mr. Byrne who did both the long and complicated operation and the recent dilatation. Without his skill I wouldn't be here. I must also thank the Chemotherapy Staff at the Hospital on the Island plus the marvellous District Nurses. In a way it's sad that I feel the need to comment when people turn up at the times promised and have all the correct information and equipment with them.

My experience therefore once I got past the initial stages of the NHS has been good. For the most part staff cope very well in my experience with often very demanding patients. However no offence to anyone but I hope I can keep clear of Hospitals until my next check up in March.