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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that the NHS is a wonderful institution

57 replies

OrmIrian · 03/12/2009 20:03

As some of you may know (I have banged on about it for long enough) my dad was taken into hospital 3 weeks ago chest pains and breathlessness. Found out he had a leaking valve in his heart. On investigation they told him he needed a valve replacement and a bypass. 2 weeks in a cardiac ward being looked after, then off to BRI for the op and 4 days of round the clock care. The wards were spotlessly clean, staff were all without fail competent and friendly. Food was, surprisingly good. He is now back home with nothing to show for the op but an impressive scar and an annoying sense of entitlement

I know that things aren't perfect all the time and I know that many people have legitimate gripes, it is after all a massive organisation and differs hugely. But I just want to say to anyone who works in BRI and Weston general, thankyou for looking after my dad And anyone else working in the NHS who does their very best in difficult circumstances. You are much appreciated by this family.

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daisydora · 03/12/2009 20:08

Ormirian, I followed a couple of your threads about your Dad. I am so glad he is doing well, and you are so right about the NHS.

There are some appalling stories which is upsetting to hear but my experience of it has always been positive and I feel the staff do amazing jobs on sometimes very little resources

AnyFuckerForAMincePie · 03/12/2009 20:08

maxpower · 03/12/2009 20:09

lovely to hear - hope you're dad continues making a great recovery

nickytwotimes · 03/12/2009 20:09

Glad your Dad is on the mend and he had great care.

smee · 03/12/2009 20:09

Nice thread OrmIrian. Important to remember how fantastic the NHS mostly is. Great your Dad's home and happy too.

CitizenPrecious · 03/12/2009 20:12

you know, on a much much smaller scale I had exactly the same thought today and yesterday when I went to the GP, the x ray unit, childrens' A and E and the fracture clininc at our local hospital with my ds, who's broken his toe.

At one point when I was standing behind the x ray lady and looking over her shoulder while the fancy equipment took photos of my ds's foot, I got all emotional, I did. And after that I kept banging on to ds about how the NHS is one of the bestest things about this country.

It is really really lovely of you to start a thread like this, Orm. I don't think NHS staff get half the credit they should, as we're a lot of grumpy buggers sometimes. I'm very glad about your Dad. Best of luck to both of you!

bluebump · 03/12/2009 20:13

Glad your dad is ok and is on the mend.

Original poster

OrmIrian · 03/12/2009 20:23

Sadly his GP leaves something to be desired which is arguably why he needed to be blue-lighted to the hospital in the first place. But there are other GPs.

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chegirlwithbellson · 03/12/2009 20:30

OrmIrian. I am really pleased all went so well for your dad

I love the NHS. I cant thank them enough for what they did for my DD. Warts and all.

I wake up in a sweat after having nightmares about what couldve happened if we lived somewhere without it.

herbietea · 03/12/2009 20:37

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VengefulKitty · 03/12/2009 20:37

Orm, that is great news! Glad to hear your Dad is doing well (and milking it from the sound of it too!)

I left the NHS after getting jaded with the staff, but when I returned to the same hospital with DS, I had nothing but praise for the children's ward and its staff. They were fantastic the whole 6 weeks we were there.

There is good and bad everywhere, but on the whole the NHS is a God send.

Original poster

OrmIrian · 03/12/2009 20:41

herbie - that is what I expected. When I had my babies the care was fine, nurses were OK but it wasn't that clean TBH. But both hospitals we attended were spotless and always being cleaned. Thank goodness.

I know it isn't perfect - you tend to go to hospitals without high expectations but this time it was wonderful.

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scottishmummy · 03/12/2009 20:43

glad to hear your dad on the mend post-surgery

serinBrightside · 03/12/2009 20:44

Tell them OrmIrian, they will have a complaints/compliments department that monitors feedback

Glad that your Dad is okay.

Original poster

OrmIrian · 03/12/2009 20:46

Mum and dad are going to write letters, provide chocolates and make a donation the MRI appeal at Weston.

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PheasantPlucker · 03/12/2009 20:50

Great news.

And I love the NHS. I sometimes get called by our local hospital when they have local media enquiries re paediatrics. I am always full of praise for the care dd1 has had/continues to have.

pooka · 03/12/2009 20:50

DS2 had rhesus disease diagnosed at 4 weeks. So thankful for the excellent care he had. The paediatric team were fantastic. The haemotology dept have my thanks for realising there might be a problem. He had numerous bloodtests and a blood transfusion. I had one on one with consultant gynae about long-term implications for me. DS2's case discussed by numerous consultants.

No bill. In very clean surroundings.

Loathe hospitals really, and hated every hour of my stay after dd and ds1. But in terms of quality of care i.e. medical needs being met, cannot complain.

And when I think of all the midwife appointments, blood tests, consultant appointments, 3 labours, immunisations, post-natal care, doctor's visits.... And never need to wonder whether can afford care.

herbietea · 03/12/2009 20:58

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Original poster

OrmIrian · 03/12/2009 21:01

Sounds horrible herbie

Good luck with the surgery next month.

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Sassybeast · 03/12/2009 21:01

So glad your dad is doing well

And you are a big meanie for making me cry cos I've got PMT. But it's nice to know that despite all the flack, sometimes we do stuff right

Original poster

OrmIrian · 03/12/2009 21:03

Ah sassy I won't say any more then cos I wouldn't want to make you cry

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fattybumbum · 03/12/2009 21:05

I totally love the NHS. We are sooooo lucky to have it. God bless it!

herbietea · 03/12/2009 21:08

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fernie3 · 04/12/2009 06:26

I agree I have always found hospitals to be good and yes sometimes you have to wait BUT only because there are people more seriously ill than you which i think people forget sometimes!. I always remember going into hospital not realising how ill I actually was I sat down and all of a sudden a swarm of people, doctors, nurses and pretty much anyone else who was near by appeared all fussing about! That is what made me realise that when you are really ill the NHS is fab!

quidnunc · 04/12/2009 07:27

We all know there are some horror stories, and the NHS gets a real beating in the press sometimes (occasionaly warranted), but without the NHS I would in all probability have lost my son and possibly my wife had they not spotted and immediately acted upon an abnormality leading to an emcs.

It seems to me that if you have a minor medical need, want fluffy carpets & earl grey tea, and can afford it, you go private. But if you have anything approaching an emergency the NHS are far better resourced and I, for one, will be grateful to them every day.

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