Life is full of good stuff. When there's the bad stuff we have the NHS. So on that note I just want to say a thank-you to the staff at Wythenshawe Hospital who are looking after my dad - who was rushed into hospital last night but will hopefuly be sorted and back home after a couple of days..
I never fail to be heartened by the unfailing kindness and helpfulness of those who work long hours for low wages and reassure us when our loved ones are ill. I only wish the Government would recognise and reward their dedication more.
At least in this country we have a healthcare system which is still the envy of the world. Let's fight to keep it that way.And also fight against any moves to continue the privatisation programme which would outsource and boost profits of the private sector
Thursday, 31 July 2008
SIXTY YEARS ON...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
6 comments:
Susan, is your glass always half-empty? As someone who works in the Health Service I know Agenda For Change came with strings attached, but the unions and employers agreed it made tremendous strides in addressing issues of low pay in the NHS, and Trusts have been able to take back services privatised under the Tories because the private companies couldn't match AfC conditions.
Lets kick the government where necessary, and there's a bloody lot to criticise, but if all you can do in a piece about health workers is praise them on one hand and carp on the other we will soon have a chance to see how the Tories deal with NHS workers.
Bob, in your rush to stereotype what I've said you did not read it properly.My praise is 100 per cent for health workers. No carping. But I fully support UNISON in its bid to stop further outsourcing and nay more involvement by the private sector
What I didn't say ( because I was knackered from the journey back) was that apparently ALL patients at the hospital my dad is in are now routinely swabbed for MRSA A good thing? Or a sign of how standards have slipped since cleaning contracts were put out to tender.
Patients also now have to pay £3.50 a DAY for the privilege of watching TV. Another unacceptable by-product of PFI and privatisation. It's bad enough being in hospital in the first place. Making profit in this way ( iif people can afford it) is a disgrace.
The NHS is certainly an abiding testimony to the radicalism of the 1945 Government. Would it have happened under New Lsbour? I think we know the answer to that one.
I absolutely agree about the TV; I work as an HCA with elderly people - none of them are capable of getting down to the lobby to get a card, even if they could understand the system, and the cost is hugely prohibitive. Fortunately, Patientline, which runs the service, has just gone into administration (presumably not enough people were stumping up...) so something might change. It is outrageous though: it's a great form of distraction from pain, and I don't see why elderly people should be denied a little comfort and interaction in their last days simply so someone can make a profit. Maybe I'll start a campaign...
Susan, I agree with you. I work in the NHS and oppose PFI and the privatisation (although we have just got the domestic and catering contracts back because of AfC). I just think that whilst you gave credit to the staff you didn't recognise some of the positive measures that have been implemented and the 'low pay' bit rankled a bit. Not everything we have put in to the NHS is PFI cash.
Anyway, I hope your dad is OK.
"we have a healthcare system which is still the envy of the world"
Er, except that no-one copies it!
I forgot to add, for Bob Piper's information, that Susan's glass is always, but always, totally empty! She is the Cassandra of the Labour party:
"Cry, [Labour], cry! Send me ten thousand eyes, / And I will fill them with prophetic tears"
That's why she cheers me up - and, of course, we all love her.
Susan, I hope your Dad makes a complete recovery. You can never do enough for old men, I reckon!
Post a Comment