To think most medical professionals are actually pretty damn good?

[RevoltingPeasant]

I am not an uncritical cheerleader for the NHS - a quick search of threads started by me would show that! I think there are problems with the system itself in that it is inefficient and sometimes has its priorities fucked up. I have also encountered a couple of craps HCPs, like my old GP who told me that she 'wasn't bothered about' the pain in my kidney (subsequently needed 4 operations for it).

But you know what, HCPs don't make the system. And most of them are caring and kind.

This week, a nurse made sure I got in and out of my pre-operative appointment quickly because she knew I was stressed about being late to work. She also joked and chatted whilst she was taking bloods because she knew I am scared of needles.

My GP's had to ring to cancel my smear test, but the receptionist offered me a dr's appointment instead - the next morning, first thing. The doctor was kind and reassuring and sensible.

I am going in for my op tomorrow, and with all the ops I have had at this hospital before, the anaesthetists have been amazing, explained everything clearly, been friendly and funny whilst doing an efficient professional job.

This is a representative cross-section, I think. You get the odd one, but AIBU to think most doctors and nurses are smart and kind and really care?

Yanbu. My ante and post natal care has been brilliant, as is the service provided by my GP surgery.

Oh thank god for a positive thread. There will always be some awful stories but there is so much positive work that goes on in the hospitals. I work with 80 other nurses and hca's and bar perhaps one or two they are very caring and work so so hard. It is a much more difficult job than when I qualified ten years ago, hospital managers and cuts have made the nhs hard to defend at times. Some of the best nurses I have worked with may not come across as the most caring but I have seen them save lives by pushing and pushing for the right treatment.

verylittlegravitas your link Is oh so true! Sadly it's the poor overstreched nurse that's on the front line who takes the flack for the doctors, pharmacy, scan dept, catering issues etc etc
the majority of nurses really are trying their very best despite staff and bed cuts, it's so sad that people are not receiving the care they deserve.

you have clearly never been to my local hospital OP

YANBU, the problem is bad experiences stay with you longer, even if its one bad thing in the midst of lovely stuff. For instance; I had my appendix out 3 weeks ago now, all the surgery scars are all healed but I still have the massive tennis ball sized bruise on my vein from the nurse who was incapable of putting in the canula right. Forget the lovely nurse who kept coming and making sure I had enough pain relief, helped me sit up and all of that. No, the first thing I still think is fucking hell I still have that bruise and it hurts.

Now if you had said doctors receptionists you would have been very unreasonable

YANBU I was assaulted last year and the paramedics who turned up were brilliant even though I was making loads of noise and fuss through shock rather than anything else (though the fact Ihad one sleeve and my hair soaked in blood may have contributed). The nurses and doctors who dealt with me at the hospital were lovely, reassuring and efficient. The lovely lady who seemed to be some kind of auxillary who came and held me while I sobbed on her shoulder was fantastic.

Equally when I had to take DD to the children's hospital with suspected appendicitis they were just amazing. Yes the wait in A&E seemed long but for some reason things sped up following her second episode of projectile vomiting in reception. The nurses were good humoured and kind and took time to explain everything to her in easy to understand language (eg at the moment if you have a drink with your month your body is making you be sick so we're putting a special needle here so you can drink with your hand). The doctors were kind and patient and the staff somehow found time to make me a cup of tea and offer me reassurance and even a fold up bed for the night.

We are LUCKY to have such great people to look after us on hand. The NHS isn't perfect but when you really need it they are IMHO fantastic.

Just resurrecting this thread because I came out of hospital after a potentially-scary operation on Weds (thought I might have to have a kidney removed; I don't, not yet, anyhow) and wanted to publicly thank the nurses at my local hospital, Derriford, who were really lovely and hardworking.

As a GP -- thanks for this thread. I may not be perfect all of the time but I do try my best for all of my patients.

As a mum -- I cannot say enough good things about all the staff at Royal Derby Hospital who have looked after DS through various operations and hospitalisations over the last few years, we have been so fortunate.

yanbu, not of them are, but the bad ones are truely shits

well i'm thankful to the mw's who delivered dd, they were amazing (did write a letter to the hospital thanking them)

to the pead who admitted dd to the children ward, when she was poorly. one other doctor wanted to send her home but this doctor argued that 'to trust mums gut feeling'

to the hv who i could quite easily ranted and raved about but she did give me the kick up the backside that i needed, and i'm very thankful for that