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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/04/patients-and-staff-suffering-in-the-nhs-crisis
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| Patients and staff suffering in the NHS crisis | Patients and staff suffering in the NHS crisis |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Just before new year, we experienced A&E at Charing Cross hospital in Hammersmith, seeing at first-hand the crisis the NHS is in (NHS on ‘black alert’ as winter crisis escalates, 3 January). The place resembled a battle zone, with so many people waiting to be seen at triage, and later on by medical staff, that some had to sit on floors in corridors. Forlorn souls perched on chairs with drips hanging from hooks in the wall, presumably designed for coats, and several of the few toilets provided were either closed or blocked and overflowing. | |
| The first day we were there for nine hours; the second time, having returned by ambulance 48 hours later, we waited for five hours more. Such delays are primarily caused by two things: the sheer volume of patients and the apparent lack of specialists capable of making an expert diagnosis. Most people seemed to be discharged home with painkillers, with many of these, like ourselves, returning by ambulance in a worse state only days later; we recognised several familiar faces. | The first day we were there for nine hours; the second time, having returned by ambulance 48 hours later, we waited for five hours more. Such delays are primarily caused by two things: the sheer volume of patients and the apparent lack of specialists capable of making an expert diagnosis. Most people seemed to be discharged home with painkillers, with many of these, like ourselves, returning by ambulance in a worse state only days later; we recognised several familiar faces. |
| While both nursing and junior medical staff were simply wonderful, despite huge pressure, it was clear that they were only just about managing. Despite the fact that many wards in the main hospital were dark, no specialist senior staff appeared to be available. Patching patients up and sending them home looked like the only option. | While both nursing and junior medical staff were simply wonderful, despite huge pressure, it was clear that they were only just about managing. Despite the fact that many wards in the main hospital were dark, no specialist senior staff appeared to be available. Patching patients up and sending them home looked like the only option. |
| In the middle of this melee, I was approached by a member of Sodexo staff, who were much in evidence, with a formal questionnaire, inquiring how I rated the service and whether I would recommend this A&E unit to others! I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. Hours later, while waiting in a freezing cold “overflow” waiting room, I spotted a large, bright sign, proudly announcing that “95% of customers are more than satisfied with this service”. Jeremy Hunt should be proud! “Customer” targets are being met, even if “patients” are dying in the corridors. Well done, sir. One assumes that the dead are disqualified from ticking any boxes; just as well…Milan SvanderlikLondon | |
| • There is nothing more inefficient for the NHS than the cancellation of routine surgery. Although some redeployment will be possible, very costly operating theatres and staff will lie idle. Later in the piece we will hear about waiting list initiatives or some such phrase. This involves paying staff extra to work in the evening and weekends to deal with the backlog, as happened almost continuously during the Thatcher regime. Any factory owner knows that efficient working involves steady, uninterrupted throughput with adequate staff and facilities to carry out the job in hand with no element of stop-go. Proper staffing would obviate the necessity for high-priced agency personnel producing still more economies.Dr John HurdleyConsultant anaesthetist (retired, thank God!) | • There is nothing more inefficient for the NHS than the cancellation of routine surgery. Although some redeployment will be possible, very costly operating theatres and staff will lie idle. Later in the piece we will hear about waiting list initiatives or some such phrase. This involves paying staff extra to work in the evening and weekends to deal with the backlog, as happened almost continuously during the Thatcher regime. Any factory owner knows that efficient working involves steady, uninterrupted throughput with adequate staff and facilities to carry out the job in hand with no element of stop-go. Proper staffing would obviate the necessity for high-priced agency personnel producing still more economies.Dr John HurdleyConsultant anaesthetist (retired, thank God!) |
| • It’s not only the problem of people in corridors (Ministers face growing criticism over NHS crisis, 4 January). My son’s doctor told us he was unlikely to live as long as the new year. He is suffering from a severe eating disorder and mental health issues but was put on palliative care only. He was given the option of a nursing home (he is only a young man and his illness makes him terrified of change) or being sent back to live alone in an unheated flat. He has made several suicide attempts and is so weak he can barely walk, and will not eat. The hospital tells us he is “medically optimised” for discharge subject to extra support being put in place, which they know he has consistently refused in the past. If someone like that can be denied a continuing hospital bed, how can we trust the NHS to take care of us from cradle to grave? Nye Bevan must surely be turning in his.Name and address supplied | |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
| The first letter above was amended on 5 January 2017. An earlier version mentioned Serco where the writer had meant to refer to Sodexo. |