The start of a new era in the NHS. An all singing, all dancing 10 year plan to cure all ills.
Based on preventative testing and early diagnosis. Testing will be done in new diagnostic centres at the behest of GP’s. All much quicker and avoiding unnecessary referrals to hospitals. Sounds good so far😀
Now I have recently had an early experience of this process ahead of the launch of the heralded new 10 year plan. It reflects well on the NHS, but highlights the substantial resources required.
I went to my GP for a routine annual review of my medication. I only take 5 pills a day, which I think is pretty low for my age 😀 Whilst there I mentioned I had a bit of a cough a month or two ago, but it was OK now. Obviously I was asked about my smoking habits and reassured her I haven’t smoked for over 30 years. My diligent GP recommended I get a blood test; an ECG and a chest X-ray, in case I had heart failure☹️,just as a precaution. (1receptionist, 1 GP, 1pharmacist )
So the very same day I went for a routine blood test at the walk- in centre at my local hospital. Spoke to a volunteer who checked me in and told me to see the receptionist who checked my appointment and moved me on to the phlebotomist who extracted a sample of blood and sent me on my way. (1 volunteer, 1 receptionist, I X-ray assistant and 1 radiologist)
A few days later a letter arrived with an appointment for my chest X-ray, so I trotted off to the hospital again. Spoke to the receptionist who directed me straight through to the X-ray assistant and in less than five minutes it was completed and passed to the radiologist. (1 booking administrator,1 receptionist, 1 X-ray assistant, 1radioligist )
In the meantime I saw the Practice nurse at the GP surgery for the ECG. After looking at the graphs she consulted another GP who confirmed the results were OK. (1 Practice nurse, 1GP )
Only a few days later all the results were through and I went to see the GP again to discuss the outcome. The good news was the ECG was fine and the blood tests confirmed I haven’t got heart failure. PHEW! Neither had I got a kidney problem, although I was “ boarder-line” OOPS. My risk of diabetes is elevated so I need to keep it under review FINGERS CROSSED THEN.
Diseases – diabetes boarderline ,,, heart failure. Kidney infection asthemea. Cancer
Occupations nurse , doctor , receptionist, radiologist, GP , flobotomist , X-ray assistant. CT SCAN ASSISTANT, CT SCAN NURSE, Respiratory consultant, resp nurse,
GrumbleSmiles 
dear John!!!! At least it is not a letter of goodbye, as you have so many lovers in this blog, and they all want you? How? is a different matter;;, but not in a ”BOX” Maybe ‘Boxer shorts to show off your manly ness?? HEE HEE! are you going Gar gar !!! no mention of a mental review, just body and soul!!!
It is what in my yonger day was said to be growing old! Now we are the research society for the younger population and medical society of today??
Remember, wake up in the morning, ablusions, and then breakiers with your favourite? Maybe not a fry up these days, but a ceral, and fruit??? Not the one keeping you company? That is MO and Coco, but the one who has the challenge of your care and welfare for the day? Remmember that sweet young thing with looks and a figure of a desireable young temptress.
Then you go and clapse resting in your arm chair,taking short breaths and drinking your tea/coffee/soft drink, and then not listening to whats going on around oneself, but nodding off into one mind! and the world it has prepared for you today!!!!
P.S Have you taken your pills and renewed your perscription?? Your On SMILES and GRUMBLES, just a few words on the ”net”’, IT is all a spiders web??? and you dear John are caught up in it! By the way ;; politeness- GOOD MORNING- dear John!
my dear sir! what I find testing is opening up my laptop, every morning and coming to read The ‘BLOGS’ on smiles and grumbles, all these blogs go down well with my breakfast cerials and my fruit of the DAY?? Is that you Dear JOHN, are you my fruity buddy! I just wonder????. What is the football team you support = ”The old timers society and their players, or is it their memories” I just wonder?
Dear reader are you of an age, and remember TV Black and white broadcasts, and there again when the BBC broadasting had a problem they would show on the screen a ”TEST CARD C” to ensure you the viewer was connected and had the right contrast and picture quality. ALL about TESTING?? What on earth is dear JOHN rabbitting on about> memories and old age? I just wonder as a mere youngster??? HEE HEE!!!!
Life is all about smiles and grumbles!!!!