In praise of the NHS

[frazzledgirl]

This isn't earth-shattering, but DS (22 months) woke up this morning covered in red blistery spots.

I phoned NHS Direct (which I have tended to describe as bloody useless in the past) at 7.30am and was told a call back should come within 90 mins but might be 4 hours.

45 mins later, nurse calls. Says sounds like chicken pox but my local duty dr should see him and she'll pass our details on.

20 mins after that, dr phones and says I should go to the local Out of Hours clinic and he'll contact them.

15 mins after that, clinic nurse rings with appointment for 9.50am.

We go to clinic, are seen straight away by lovely dr who confirms chicken pox.

It's not earth-shattering or anything, and I know they're extra careful with children and rashes, but the NHS gets a lot of neg publiciy (often justified, I know), so thought it was worth pointing out when they're brilliant, too.

I have another good story too - not about a child but my 88 year old grandmother. My aunt went round today to find she had fallen at some point and was covered with blood from a head wound (superficial thank goodness). Her speech was slurred and she seemed confused. I called NHS Direct who after taking a quick history said they were sending a paramedic. Within 10 mins the Paramedic arrived and checked my Nan over before asking for an ambulance (much to my Gran's annoyance).

15 mins later they arrived and took her to hospital where she was seen very quickly. A mini stroke was diagnosed and she was admitted. It should be said that by this time she was fully recovered and became a cantankerous old wotsit when the doctor announced he wanted to keep her in. The woman only goes to the GP once a year - around the time of his birthday so she can give him a card

As you say - the NHS sometimes get a bashing and sometimes with good reason. I have to say that today I thought they were fab too.

Hope your DD isn't too itchy. Calamine lotion is good.

I think the nhs are great most of the time, not perfect, but considering the number of patients + staff involved they do an excellent job.

I've also found they don't mess around when you call them with sick children.

Hope your ds is feeling much better very soon.

I am having a silly day - of course I meant "hope your DD is not too itchy" - not DS.

Wow, chilli, glad your gran got the gold star treatment too!

DS is itchy but asleep, which I'll take for now. Thanks

nice post not often people post positive nhs stuff

is your wee boy comfortable now?

words of praise for my GP, too:

DS1 has been having trouble with poo, withholding it and getting himself all constipated. Booked him an appt with GP, but he got really upset about the idea of going and I thought it might make things worse to force him.

So I called GP's surgery about three hours before the appt to cancel, explained why, and they said 'would you like to see if the GP can talk to you on the phone instead?' I said yes, they put me straight through to the GP (who is actually a paediatrician who later became a GP, so very very useful man), he chatted through it all with me on the phone and gave me some fab advice.

Gold stars all round.