Gilzeantoscore
Justin Edinburgh
I don't ask to be seen as credible by you? I don't even know you and you don't know me. I try not to deal in generalisations. I do however gladly offer my opinion on something I know about in my local area. When I was in my local casualty, which is newly built and a vast improvement on the previous regional status quo, it was plain to see that there were people in there taking the fudgeing tinkle. People who for one reason or another had not bothered to consult their local GPs, who for some unknown reason didn't understand they or their kids had a heavy cold or flu. They to the man (bar of course those who were in there for alcohol related injuries) were belligerent, unpleasant, ill mannered and generally out of order. On our first visit we were seen relatively quickly, but then had to wait (not a problem, glad to have the resource) and sat fudgeing horrified at what we were seeing. I kid you not we even saw people keeping the car running at the drop of point, causing natural friction with the reception teams as they had clearly expected to be seen, served and supplied in that '15 minute window' I flippantly alluded to in another post. Were they the majority? No, of course not but they were the vocal majority and the only people causing the friction. Am I qualified to provide a visual IQ test? No, of course not and in the modern way I humbly apologise. Perhaps these people weren't ignorant, just troubled and severely let down by ermm 'millionaires' or 'posh' people.
A couple of years before I took my Grandmother, who had fallen down the stairs, and had what we believed to be a minor head injury to the local casualty (now torn down for housing - thank Deities). As a first aider (someone who took the time to learn...) I made a decision that I could use less resources and get her to the hospital safely, quicker than I could getting an ambulance. Everything went according to plan until I arrived at the Casualty department and found them poorly equipped, undermanned, in what we could consider 'dirty' conditions. A 95 year old lady was left to wait for hours. i was always polite, always mindful of the bigger picture. When the it was clear the first stage of care wasn't forthcoming I politely asked for the necessary supplies, was given them and treated my Grandmother's wounds. It was just a stop gap but she was alarmed that her clothing would be ruined and it caused her distress. Without going into any detail I was bizarrely asked in front of my Grandmother (when they eventually got her in a bed to assess her) whether we wanted her to be Awoken if she lost consciousness. I forget the terminology but others will be aware.
So I've seen both sides, I've seen failings both locally and previously in North London where I lived previously. I've been well aware of the need for change and improvement. All I can truthfully say is that the place that horrified so many of us is gone. A new hospital exists. The care, the professionalism, the investment is plain to see and so very welcome. I can't begin to try to account for how many people have been delighted at the care they have received. That is just my opinion, from the ground. It will be different for others and I'm sure some will have been let down as I felt I was a few years earlier but I've seen that the feedback given was taken on board and a difference is being made. I'm also very aware of how much it all costs. So I wonder why even in their perceived moment of need, others can't respect the NHS, respect the emergency services, the casualty departments and think about the bigger piciture. Those sort of people are one of two things. They are clams or they are uneducated and in need of a bit of a steer.
Ha, ha. "You don't know me..." Oh the irony. You didn't know the people in the Emergency Department either, but it didn't prevent you from making snide judgements about them. One rule for you and another for every one else. Another typical Tory (or worse attitude.) "I try not to deal in generalizations..." You had better try harder methinks.