My blog last week described the beginning of a brave new NHS world. A world of preventative medicine and relentless testing. All designed to move the focus of health care away from reactionary hospital care more in the direction of early diagnosis and community care. It sounds almost too good to be true. But will it work? Will it save money? How long will it take? These questions have still to be answered.
Let’s see if we can extrapolate from my own experience over the last two months. As my last blog explained it all started with a routine annual medication review with my GP and a casual passing remark about a cough. This obviously rang a warning bell for the GP. Who is very good and rightly cautious on my behalf.
However, it triggered the start of an investigation far greater than I imagined. The first phase is fully described in detail in my earlier blog. Over the period of a month it involved three potentially significant health conditions and FOURTEEN different front-line health professionals plus even more back room staff. The good news was that at the end of this nothing untoward was found. PHEW!
Just one problem. None of these tests explained the mysterious and long forgotten cough☹️
So started phase two of the testing journey. The search for an unexplained shadow on my left lung☹️ Don’t mention the “C” word at this point! Off to see a specialist lung doctor for some more tests. (receptionist, lung doctor, lung nurse) Height and weight measured again. (2 patient measurers). This time the “C” word was mentioned as a possibility☹️ but only briefly😀.
This then began a trek thought some previously unexplored parts of the vast NHS empire. First a respiratory test in a cubicle that could have fired me into space, but fortunately didn’t lift off. Lots of heavy breathing. (Receptionist, respiratory nurse). Next, a few days later, a CT scan on my chest in a newly built diagnostic unit in the community ( receptionist, CT assistant, CT consultant)
Still not conclusive, so I needed a full body scan, so two weeks later I went to the local hospital to meet some more nice people ( receptionist, CT assistant, CT nurse and a back room CT consultant) All very polite, friendly and efficient. Results in two weeks.
By now it is nearly two months since I went for a routine check on my medication and mentioned my occasional cough. I’ ve seen 29 NHS staff, all of whom were very helpful. I have also had 7 different tests and examinations all done fairly promptly.
Finally I got the ALL CLEAR. it was just a cough 😀😀😀😀
God knows how much that cost the NHS, but testing is obviously not cheap. Thank goodness the NHS is free. The service was exemplary throughout, in complete contrast to the image often portrayed of the NHS. Absolutely no case for ambulance chasing, no win, no fee lawyers.
GrumbleSmiles 
a thought provoking group of ideals this is about the National Health Sevice [NHS], and how our generation as we age come to grips with the ‘IDEALS” of a NHS. The attached blogs to this memorandum, and the various response show how ‘our generation thought and wished t be treated by the nation as NHS patients!! It is or has been revealing, and now in our closing days of life 80+ and more have to come to terms with the present political climate in parliament of what the Nation wish to do about ”Health Care” for everyone? Not just the elderly, and the immigrants who appear to dominate the service? It is a mine field, and the staff Of the NHS are now from multivarious background, and maybe do not have the thoughts and educational upbringing of local societies and those especially in the old industial towns centres of the north of england/scotlnd/ and the midlands, not forgetting south wales and northern Island.
Life has changed, in the UK the younger generation now work mainly from Home and in the care and welfare industry.
Hence we all need to think very carefully about our lives after retiement at 68?
remember the days before I went to sea, in front of the doctor!!! Instructions, Drop your pants, stand up straight and ”COUCh” one then got a smile a pat on the back. and the words all was in order?? Hurrah.!!!
Now the governement with the instructions ”COUGH” and the question where is your money??? and the saying as a responsible citizen you have to pay ones taxes!!!!!
One cannot say ”BALLS to to that” can one, unles one has no trousers as ones pension monies are all disappearing in various tax levies.
It is a cruel world and we have to respect one and another, and be considerate in what one can earn for a fair days work, and yet support society and pay a meaningiful tax demand not a robberry.
Parliament with all its affiliates and house of Lords, must also deal with the requirements of the nation defence/economics etc. and then those who have the vision to earn an honest dollar, not cheat society out of hard earned cash, as a robbery, but as a social and considered thankyou!!
ROUGES and vagabonds in our socirty criminal/political/socal I wish to see them serve their penance for wrong doing, and repent serving society in a most useful way.
SO be responsible, vote, earn a living, and be patient and respetful to all the good citizens of our nation.
still testing one imagination, and mind!
Now then living in a retirement village with domasilary care and an average age of some 84 years persons/residents with mobilty problems and mental problems, or a combination of both. Then, and the ability to appoint a carer[s] to help one through the day, and into the night: I am slightly perplex with the legal issues of care, and the rights of the indivual recieving care???
Problem to understand!!
The law of the land as to care is being administered too! Has the ‘RIGHT’ to say yes Or No!!! to the care package being offered??? Now then this could be a physical solution or a mental solution of help, or a combination of both.
Looking at persons in excessof 80 years old, this too my mind presents problems??
l Alhzimiers test the loose assessment is a score offered by the medical practioner 25 and above ok Normal-19to 25, one may need assistance but still can say Yes or no!. Now then below 19 and there again below a score of 15 one is diagnosed with dementure/alhzimiers, and subject to medical treatment, a lower score is one of deep concern.
2 Mobility and mentally with a sore of less than 25 alzhmiers/dementure, one may be able if one has the mobility to be independent with normal movements- sitting in a chair/getting in and out of bed/ PERSONAL SANITARY TASKS.
It all apperas simple what is the hidden question is ones ability behind a closed door to live independenly, and then the basic question? what is freedom, for instance can one be totally self sufficient and live an independent life? This situation is complicated when one lives/resides in a retirement village with care, or a deignated care home? Here the individual may be of a frame of mind and bodily functions that they can live independenly, but not socially isolated. With this in mind the AUTHORITIES- family and managers/medical staff of the situation while one resides in a care/retirement home-With care= may have to ask the resident in question do they wish help assistance-Here in lies the problem the resident may say ‘NO’ in a definiate and uncertain Manner, and those who offer the help may have to overrule the individual and maybe declare a section under the mental health act. It is a boogie!!!!
What is the advice to the resident in this situation????