A word of praise for our NHS and social services

I just wanted to post a 'thank you note' to all the health services we enjoy in the United Kingdom. It's not that I've had to use them recently; but that my mother-in-law isn't able to access them.

I've done my share of complaining about the underfunding of our services and it's not that I don't think that public funds could and should be pumped into them to bring them back up to the standards we've enjoyed in the past, but by comparison with what's available in other countries, our services are luxury indeed.

My husband's from Guyana (in South America), a relatively poor country compared to ours, and his mum still lives there, with no family support except my husband, 4500 miles away.

She's elderly with diabetic ulcers and multiple other health challenges too, but doesn't enjoy the free treatment at point of access that we all do.

Mum in law's ulcers became infected last week and the local government hospital was too busy to accept new patients, so her only option was to go to a private facility.

She needed five days of antibiotic treatment and dressings which she, and we, had to fund. After discharge there's no aftercare. No fleet of district nurses or GP surgeries to visit at home or anywhere to get medical advice. Lots of private doctors' offices which are very happy to help for a fee, and she, like most other ordinary people sometimes has to decide whether to eat or have medications or treatment.

If you want an ambulance you can of course have one, if you are willing to pay.

Every leg dressing requires a visit to a doctors' office, or you can buy the necessary items and do it yourself.

I'm not complaining that we help her; just taking time out to give my appreciation for the NHS and related services here, which, quite often, we do tend to take for granted.

I can remember the Welsh politician Nye Bevan, whose vision the NHS was, and always think of him with love and affection. Politicians with his kind of vision and compassion are rare birds indeed. He might not recognise the NHS we have today. He might be a bit disappointed at the way it has not always been properly supported by the government of the day, but he'd certainly still recognise its principal aim and the wonderful job it still manages to do.

So here's a 'cheers' to all the hard and wonderful work our services do and I hope we never lose them.

[MAS_Nurse]

Well said Callendergal! We are so fortunate in the UK, and it is so easy to complain about the NHS and underfunding, or not being able to see someone immediately. But if we had to face the choice between paying for food or medication, I think we would all have a reality check, and realise what a precious gift the NHS is. Thank you for reminding us

MAS Nurse

[Hidden in reply to MAS_Nurse]

People in uk made big sacrifices for nhs we have today WE had our fair share of suffering too.

Am sure during wars WHEN My grandad along with others was ordered over hills in enemies sites they thought how blessed was.

Then when the come back after wars WAS no free doctors and slum living and disease.

IT was only thought of wealthy catching something exotic of heven’s Why nhs was formed.

But on subject of returning solders THEY had had enough of suffering and disease hardship and was in no mood for what they retured to.

If country had done nothing the would have been post war revolt. like most western country’s.

Country is going backwards with private finance initiatives sucking life out of public services.

But like banking crisis it’s not bankers who suffer its public end user.

You only have to see these abandoned Pfi projects hospitals etc

[trish29]

I agree with you entirely Callendersgal. I had to have 2 trips to A/E earlier in back in the spring and l was well looked after. Nurses were so busy but they were so kind .trish29

[katieoxo60]

It is nice to hear some praise for the NHS . Yes it is far better than other countries and often taken for granted, however it is the peoples service, national and financed by the residents of this country. We as those residents have a democratic right to address failings in the service as well as expose the parts that work well for the majority. Some of the changes are not what MR Bevan would have envisaged but in general I beleive the NHS has moved forward with the times but still aims to care for all at a high level if compared with other countries who pay at point of care. So for this we should be grateful we receive such a high standard in comparison. But the pot to pay is not bottomless.

[blackjob]

I totally agree with callendersgal!!! I have relatives and friends in the U.S.A. and frequently hear about people going bankrupt to pay their medical bills. People who hesitate to consult a doctor because they can't afford it. Yes I know they take out private insurance but it is certainly not cheap. And yes I know we pay for our NHS with our taxes, but most of us never notice that. Give me our NHS any day!!

[Hidden]

Well said Callendersgal, Nye Been would not have envisiged the complicated and expensive medical procedures that we have nowadays or for that matter the amount of people accessing the NHS but still we have not a perfect but very functional system that pulls out all the stops at times of acute emergency as I have found.

[sassy59]

That’s so sad to hear about your mother-in-law Callendersgal and I quite agree, we are so very lucky in this country. Well done to all who do such a wonderful job in the NHS no matter what they are up against.

I hope your dear mother-in-law recovers and knows how loved she is. Xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Thanks sassy59!

[secrets22]

I to think the NHS is a wonderful service and we are very lucky to have it.

I dont believe it is underfunded,what I do know is,the waste in the NHS is a disgrace,and yes nurses do get times when they are very busy,but other times they are not rushed so much ,and isn't most jobs like that.?

We then have patients who make doctors appointments and then fail to turn up,and dont have the good manners to cancel.

Recently I was at the doctors and 5 people who were booked in before me failed to turn up ,and my GP said its like this every day.

The lack of good manners horrifies me .

I have had a few stays in hospital and each time I have sent a letter to thank them.