SO IS IT GOOD, BAD OR UGLY?

The conundrum of our time, the NHS. The love that we appear not to want to debate. Well it's high time that we did.

The good: This week saw the author responding to a request from his GP to visit his surgery regarding a high cholesterol reading, subject to a recent blood test; this was followed by a routine visit to the Eye Clinic, keeping tabs on an ongoing eye condition. Finally, having a further blood test with regard to haemochromatosis. On each occasion the treatment was excellent; the author being kept informed of all situations.

The bad: Why is it, therefore, that we learn from the Office of National Statistics this week, that in the last five years, around 30,000 patients have died from a combination of MRSA AND C.diff.

The ugly: Also this week, I'm informed by a relation, that her mother was admitted to hospital with a respiratory condition; on admission she was given oxygen. Two days later she has developed a serious infection in her nose; this is presumed to have emanated from the oxygen mask. On enquiries, my relation is informed by the ward that the problem is E.coli. Confronting the specialist a few days later, it transpires that the condition is, in actual fact, MRSA, which has affected the kidneys. All this misleading charade is being acted out all over Britain on a daily basis.

In addition: Noted from a letter to the press this week, information from a former NHS employee. The work force is designed to withstand absenteeism and if everyone turned up for work, then there wouldn't be enough to occupy them.





THIS IS OUR MONEY THAT WE ARE WASTING.