To think that Prince Phillip will have a pillow

[Regbooboo]

Just heard on the news that Prince Phillip has been admitted to hospital and wonder if he will have enough pillows and blankets to keep him comfy. My 89 year Mum suffering from Alzheimers, pneumonia and dehydration hasn't got either, Apparently Lewisham Hospital haven't got enough. money talks huh?

He might take his own?

Will you take one in for your dm?

Bloody cuts.

Though when fil was in hospital recently he did take his own pillow even though they had ones provided, jut because hospital bedding is always less comfy than your own.

Are you going to take one in for your DM? It's awful, no-one should be without the basics like that

Having worked for the NHS for a million and one years, I can assure you, there is money there, it's just being spent in the wrong places

I'm sorry to hear about your Mum. Hope she feels better soon.

PALS. Now. I am so sorry to hear that :(

SirChenjin Also work in the NHS and totally agree.

The problem is that that highly paid managers are not going to say that you shouldn't spend money on highly paid managers and should spend it on pillows and bedding instead because they have a vested interest. And the same people with these vested interests are making the decisions.

The NHS is a gravy train for the people at the top whilst the frontline services are starved. It's a scandal and people are afraid to talk about it because they don't want to be seen to criticize the NHS.

But there are people sitting in shiny offices nowhere near the frontline who get paid a hell of a lot of money but add zero to the actual business of getting people better and improving health.

I think he will probably take his own bedding.

Very sorry for your mum and her problems, but a pillow is the least of your worries. Personally I found Greenwich was bloody marvellous when my Dad was dying, shame it closed.

I only had a really thin one when I was in last too. I had one thin blanket and was cold all night, I put my dressing gown over me.

On our local news a 100 year old lady died in hospital from dehydration..

I hope your DM, and Prince Phillip, don't have too long a stay in hospital.

Bridget - I totally agree. The Scottish Govt had required all Boards to cut their senior managers by 25%. Have any of the senior managers I work with gone? Have they hell. They simply create new roles and work, and give themselves new titles. There are also cases that I know of where senior managers have been allowed to take early retirement, with a big pay off and their pension pot, and have been reinstated in exactly the same role because 'no-one else could be recruited to perform that role'. Makes me absolutely furious.

I'm sorry to hear about your mum. I hope she can come home to you soon.

The NHS saved my husband's life on Sunday. People in A&E who had a 3 hour wait probably thought the NHS was terrible that day, but that's because at least 6 people were actively engaged in dragging him back to life.

I know that's a bit off topic, but I feel a bit grateful at the moment.

The NHS is wonderful TSS - I would fight tooth and nail to keep it, absolutely. I guess I just get frustrated when I read and hear stories about patient care suffering because of lack of funding while senior managers float about on large salaries.

So glad your DH is OK, it must have been terrifying for you.

It was. You do not think you will be in that position in your 40's.

I know what you say is right. I am usually one of those pointing at waste. The very nature of the NHS means that waste is surely everywhere.

Yet for 10 hours on Sunday I stopped caring and wanted, really wanted, all of it spent on DH. I'm so sorry. I know that makes me a terrible person.

That so much money had been spent on training the umpteen doctors, 2 sisters, 6 nurses and other staff and the God knows on the drugs and equipment none of which was rationed was very, very important. And you're right, that there is exactly where money should be spent.

Oh, and the ambulance crew. They were rather heroic too.

Could you take her own in? I know it is not a perfect world but that is a way of making the world better for your DM.

Weird thing about hospital pillows and blankets and wheelchairs and plates and pens and paper etc etc. I and people like me (nhs managers)order and order and order some and in some mysterious way it all just dissolves away. Where does it all go? Its a mystery.

TSSDNCOP you are so very on topic!! The NHS has limited resources but does it's best. You have illustrated they do their best first for those who need it first!!

A lot of it is stolen.

when I had the dc I took my own pillow on the advice of the midwifes.
they also only had very thin blankets on the maternity ward.
I know it's very warm there, but a blanket it just not comfy enough.

Sounds like you had a pretty traumatic time TSS - hope your DH is recovering well.

The NHS is wonderful (normally) when you really need it in an emergency situation. It's the everyday things that are so frustrating.

oh, and I hope your mum is feeling better soon!

Her some in for ur mother....

When I had ds in Lewisham hospital 12 years ago I had to ask dh to bring me in a blanket as they didn't have more than enough for 1 per bed. Same with pillows. And my mum had to change my sheets after 6 days even after asking 3 times - eventually she went and found the linen cupboard and got some herself for me.

No light bulbs in the bed lamp - again dh brought me in a torch.

My belongings that were taken for 'safe keeping' on admission were lost.

This is basic stuff not luxuries, thank God I had family to hep me out.

The place was a fucking joke and doesn't sound like it has changed much since then. I still have nightmares about the place.

So sorry about your mum OP x

I work in the private sector and I can never find enough pillows or blankets either!

It must just be a hospital thing