I've been on this site for almost two years now, and some people from time to time have criticised about the poor healthcare they've received, and how nursing standards in particular have fallen. I personally think that when every single nurse enters their chosen career, they sort of see it as a calling, a vocation and need to want to help others. It's not about the money, it's about caring, and wanting to help.
I've recently come across this little ditto which I think sums it up nicely.
many nurses work for agencies and get lots of money just like doctors leave the NHS and go private only. The nurses are certainly overworked and i feel sorry for them but iv had terrible treatment in hospital and so have many others. you dont think people make the stories up do you. its not an opinion its an experience. obviously you have been lucky up until now. i hope it continues for you.
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Thank you for that comment Richard, I am a nurse myself and always strive to do the utmost for my patients and I'm in a very fortunate position to be able to do that as I work in a theatre recovery where one to one care is essential. Unfortunately other areas of nursing are not that fortunate and therefore the care you want to give is almost impossible. I personally have seen one qualified nurse looking after 15 post op patients and that equation obviously doesn't work. I appreciate that some people don't have te care they expect and unless the NHS goes private like the USA etc, GOD forbid, then the money to pay for more nurses will never happen. If the NHS did go private then I don't think the majority of us would even get insured for health care.
It's not about expecting superhuman nurses but rather decent people who do their best. I was looked after by some truly wonderful staff before and after my surgery but there were also a few who shouldn't be anywhere near sick people!
I have worked nights as a healthcare assistant on a male surgical ward and various other wards on an ad hoc basis. Our ward wasn't too bad as it only had about 22 patients with usually one qualified nurse and one or two healthcares. I have seen patients who have been sitting in their chairs for several hours who are desperate to get into their bed. It takes 2 people to transfer them but if there is only me and one qualified nurse who is doing the drugs round I can't physically get the patient into bed by myself. It is heartbreaking not to be able to help the patient. I have also worked on a women's surgical ward with 35 beds, I have also been a patient on this ward for 10 days. One qualified nurse and 2 healthcare assistants, the drug round was still ongoing til anything like 11pm to 1am! Horrendous. What really annoys me now is that nurses have to pay full uni fees even though they're generally not going to be big earners. This is going to put a lot of prospective nurses off. While I'm moaning about this I will also mention that it is the same for people doing a masters in social work. My daughter has two children aged 3 and 5. The 5 year old is in school but the 3 year old starts nursery tomorrow. Because her husband works but she doesn't (doing a degree doesn't count) she only gets 15 hours nursery free. She will have to pay for the extra 15 hours...how can this be right? There is a desperate shortage of social workers. She also does a placement for several months which is unpaid although she has to pay all her transport costs. My daughter has a degree in biomedical science as well as a teaching degree but is investing her time and money into a career that she knows will be difficult but is a desperately needed resource. The dropout rate of her fellow students has been about 50%. Rant over 😊
By the way, every theatre nurse I've ever met have been lovely. Kind and reassuring. The worst were two different nurses on maternity after having two of my children. Another midwife during my stay after having my middle child was wonderful.
I always enjoy reading your comments Richard and have to say that the care my husband has received from the NHS both pre transplant and post transplant has been absolutely excellent and we haven't had a problem at all.
However my Dad has recently been diagnosed with dementia and on the day my husband was discharged from Kings we found my Dad on the floor having been there for 48 hours and the care he received generally was appalling. There were a few brilliant doctors and nurses but on the whole he was largely ignored, fell over several times whilst walking with the nurses and was discharged too early. Luckily he doesn't remember any of it now but it was not a good experience.
So seen it from both sides of the coin so to speak but still what would we do without it and them? Doesn't bear thinking about.
Kim
Speaking for myself I have had a couple long term stays in hospital. In Aberdeen for emergency appendicitis, sepsis and pre liver transplant. Followed by pre and post transplant in Edinburgh Royal. I can honestly say that the care from all levels of staff porters, supports staff, nurses, Doctors and Surgeons was and continues to be to a very high standard and I am thankful to live in a country where we have the NHS. On many occasions the staff demonstrated commitment and care to their patients.
Going back into hospital in December
Husband finally in hospital
AutoHep & Hypothyroidism and worried
Back to work post transplant 
Can I help to improve my liver condition?
