Why are hospitals in the UK so horrible when everyone will end up in one at some point?

[Pavementworrier]

Dehumanising conditions that wouldn't be allowed in prisons are fine for the sick and I don't understand why. We live in a democracy so you'd think there would be pressure to make them better as a priority. Is it because everyone prefers to live in denial until it's their turn?

I hope I manage to live the rest of my life without going to one and just drop down dead one day but this is statistically unlikely.

Well that isn’t our local hospital thankfully

why do we let our health service decay ?

its called greed and capitalism

we spend too much of the health budget looking after those who don’t look after themselves

and we have a tiny health budget compared to our peers because we won’t pay more

hope that helps

So nobody gets corridor care or hot noisy communal wards in your local hospital??

And your response to the other points made by the PP?

Wasn’t the case when my husband was admitted through a Andre recently exemplary care by everyone. But we don’t want to pay the taxes which would bring the investment in health care up to Europe standards. Look at the fury on this board about any tax rises

Cos the tories fucked the nhs and the economy, so there's no money for labour to fix the nhs

But it's ok. Nigel Farage will come along and sell it to his mates. That will certainly improve it.

Some people don't want to pay more taxes...

Because we as a society don't pay nearly enough taxes to actually support the NHS
Because we as a society, eat too much, drink too much, don't take enough exercise, take drugs
Because we as a society expect too bloody much
Because we don't look after ourselves
Because we don't ride things out, we expect everyone to sort out our issues

Oh wow. Problems in the NHS is completely new news! Well done for spotting it OP, you're a genius.

(Oh and 🎣 9/10).

Well wards can sometimes be noisy I am sure but I wouldn’t expect a private ward just for me ! How needy !

our hospital is quite new so overcrowding is rare

I was put on the 12 week pathway earlier this year .. within that 12 weeks I was scanned, seen by a consultant, had a biopsy, and had my results. The ward I went onto was clean, and bright, and that staff were lovely. I was very well looked after in theatre and recovery. All the staff that treated me were highly qualified.

At no point did I worry about money.

Emergency medicine is struggling often due to ageing population, and cuts to Docial Care. We need to fix it … but his help anyone who raises taxes to do it, they are the Devil incarnate

Given how things are we should be taking care of ourselves a bit more (reduce smoking, during eating crap food, health prevention measures) agreed this won't happen anymore.
Also some relatives of patients should behave themselves and not threaten staff if their "loved" one who they probably have rarely visited in years isnt treated like royalty and seen immediately (yes I have heard relatives saying they will wait outside for staff after work).

Piss poor management.
Wokeness
Too many people with no entitlement to free care
Frail and elderly people not allowed to pass away peacefully anymore.

Lack of resources is the key factor.

I do think there’s also a lack of pride / care / empathy issue too - which is harder to fix.

See the thread running currently on dads sleeping on maternity wards. The reason for that is that there is really no care provided beyond medical necessity for new mothers - if you want to eat, drink, wash, are bedbound, help with your baby etc there just isn’t any proper resource to do it.

@Pavementworrier have you actually spent much time in prisons? The general state of most of our prisons is an utter disgrace and not comparable to most NHS wards.

Nobody is pretending that there aren’t problems but they are very complex and expensive to remedy.

What prompted you to start this thread?

Because the people with the influence to change it won't ever be on one of these wards.

I think the comparison to prisons is slightly ridiculous but absolutely agree conditions in hospital, especially for people who are immobile, can't advocate for themselves or don't have an advocate are inhumane.

Because we would rather pay less tax than pay more for healthcare

Have you ever worked in one?

What is your job history?

I hear you. Ours is an crumbling aspestos mountain, bursting at the seams and definitely not fit for purpose.

Who can blame the staff for low moral unse such conditions?
But then, the plan for a brand new hospital has been shelfed several times by successive governments.

Meanwhile, farmland gets bought by developers and turned into housing estate. Our hospital can't cater for the ever increasing population. It's a conspiracy come true: NHS on the path to privatisation.

Lack of joined up thinking, organisation and communication. In addition to everything already mentioned.

I am a RN. Work in a very close right group. Have our fair share of fights and workplace disagreements but when shit hits
the fan we know each other inside out and what we need to do.
was admitted to my own hospital in summer. General ward. signed myself out next night. Was absolutely ashamed of the care I received (or didn’t). The way the nurses spoke to each other but worse how degrading they spoke to patients and relatives. And didn’t care who heard. Or
Just completely ignored. Night shift heard every word they were speaking about. Absolutely embarrassing. Couldn’t even give basic care. Everything and I mean everything was done grudgingly. I was totally gobsmacked. I know it was a busy ward but that is absolutely NOT an excuse. Disgusting. And this was trained staff. Went back to work and told my own collegues that no matter how shit a day we have or whatnot, as yes we all
have bad days, we don’t even tip the surface of my experience and how that ward was with patients . Will never forget it. Where I used to jump to the defence of my trust, now I really can’t and it is absolutely the managers who let standards slip, don’t follow protocols to keep the trusts safe and professional and some healthcare workers (not just nurses) just don’t give a toss
anymore, it’s a pay check end of.
of course I fedback but zilch will be done. The actual building is not full for purpose anymore. Up to their eyeballs in debt. Would give a fab example but it’s too outing. Believe me nhs THROWS money away. Procurement pick money over safety. Then spend on the most absolutely ridiculously priced items. Think a plastic
product u can buy out home bargains for
£1.50. It costs us over £70. Exact same. This is where our money is going. Absolutely shameful.

certainly not in my own experience

Single rooms are the norm in many countries - our local hospital only has single rooms. I worked in the NHS for decades and it's only since moving overseas that I have realised how inhumane and degrading our system of ward care is in the UK.

The one I was in for five weeks was quite good. I didn't want to be there obviously but the nurses were nice, no waiting on meds, food pretty crap but edible, my ward mates were all nice women who I befriended.

It's not easy to sleep in hospital but that's not really their fault. I guess they could give you a nice normal mattress but that wouldn't work as many people will mess the bed if they are really ill or old. Or a private room would be heaven.

It's meant to be one of the better ones in league tables and the A&E is still chaotic and crowded with a several hour wait, but overall I couldn't really complain.

I do need dignity and privacy, yes.

We've got people who are not only millionaires but also millionaires twice over whining about paying tax this morning. I guess that kind of attitude has a lot to do with it.