THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE NHS.

The political football that is the British National Health Service in its present form will continue as such. Promises are made, particularly as elections approach, but unfortunately, this leviathan of an organisation is bound to have a downside, this is human nature. In addition, the workforce is generally in the grip of the unions, which means that any future Labour administration would have to tow the Union line.

Three stories have been noted by the author this week: The first is the success of a small hospital in Huntingdon, Hinchinbrooke, which, following catastrophic results in recent years, has been taken over by a private company, with what appears to be excellent results. The management is comprised of mainly medical professionals, and the staff has been rejuvenated.

Unfortunately, the second tale is one of total disgust: A grandmother seen crawling across a hospital floor out of desperation to get a drink or in an endeavour to get to the bathroom, evidently watched, and maybe mocked by the nursing staff, who incidentally would all be health service union members.

The third story is one of personal experience: My wife had a CT scan this week at our main hospital, in the adjacent Treatment Centre at the Queens Medical Centre (Nottingham University Teaching Hospital). We arrived for the scan, as advised, in plenty of time. The procedure was carried out slightly ahead of the scheduled time, with all the professionalism one hopes to enjoy on these occasions. The Treatment Centre, incidentally, is run by the same private company as Hinchinbrooke Hospital, Circle.
This story is double barrelled: Before going to the hospital, I had been for a six month maintenance check on my hearing aids, a private supplier. Unfortunately, a plastic globe from one of the aids was wedged firmly inside the ear. The suggestion was to report to Accident and Emergency, which was a non-starter, so I thought of casually going over to the Ear, Nose and Throat Dept. in the main hospital during the time my wife had her CT scan. On entering E.N.T, it was obvious that not much was happening, and I was informed that there was no clinic on Friday pm. The receptionist did enquire why I had called, and I explained my plight. She went and had a quick word with the one nurse who was still in the department, the nurse came out and said that he would have a look, and within no more than half a minute, the foreign body was removed.

WELL DONE THE NHS.

STATINS: DOCTORS CLOSE RANKS.

Following our last posting in March, when the mayhem being inflicted on an unwary public in the way of the medication statins was pointed out. Well there is plenty more to report.

Firstly, however, let us consider the response of doctors who have panicked at the thought of losing some extra income, should the public feel unsure about this disastrous chemical that is blighting many (mainly senior citizens) lives. Just to remind readers that a high proportion of people have experienced considerable side effects, the author being just one. The majority of colleagues of my ilk, won't consider this disabling so-called medication further.

My tale over the last few months is briefly as follows: Having been prescribed statins at my GP's behest for a number of years, the first brand was soon to be abandoned, due to aching muscles in the upper arms and thighs; we then switched to a more mild variety. It is difficult to report on this, although nothing detrimental occurred. My GP switched me onto a stronger brand fairly soon afterwards, probably around four years ago. During the ensuing period, although any aches and pains were generally mild, I assumed that these were 'age related', joking about such things with my doctor. However, following virtual muscle seizure by mid-February of this year, thinking, initially, that it was the flu, I began to realise that I had been here before, albeit previously, the inconvenience was less painful. By this time I could hardly shave myself, bend down to put on my socks, or even reach to put drops into my eyes. On visiting my GP's surgery, she couldn't believe that I found it impossible to remove my coat; my arms refusing to operate laterally. I pointed out that I was aware of the causes, and although she did not disagree with my prognosis, it was soon declared that I was suffering from polymyalgia.This evidently is something usually prevalent in women. We can only hope that this won't lead to an urge for a sex change, or indeed the occasional cross dressing. My medication is one of high doses of prednisolone, a fierce steroid. Frighteningly, after only one day I could at least find a little more comfort in bed, although I was perspiring profusely. At that stage I was on eight per day. So began the process of this medication totally changing my metabolism. My first setback was that I felt as though I had two heads, neither being mine; followed by a mild memory loss, forgetting where in the car park had I left the car. On another occasion, I got as far as the checkout at the supermarket before realising that I had come out without the wherewithal to pay; none of these things, hitherto, have ever been a problem to me.

The denouement: Having an inquisitive mind, I started by doing a little research, the most interesting being volunteered to me by a relative in Wales, whose cousin had a severe statins problem, and guess what! He has been found to be suffering from polymyalgia. Can this be coincidence? We doubt it. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical companies carry on marketing their products by bribing the medical profession.

REMEMBER THAT PFIZER FOR EXAMPLE HAS BILLIONS IN A SLUSH FUND.