Thursday 8 October 2009

And The US Doesn't Want NHS Style Health Care...?

...can't think why not:
This crippled plumber horribly broke his arm TEN months ago and is still waiting for surgery to repair it.

Torron Eeles busted his left humerus bone leaving it grotesquely out of shape when he fell down stairs.

Today he slammed the NHS for "unacceptable" delays - claiming they have cancelled FOUR separate operations.
And the reasons?
The first two ops were cancelled due to a lack of beds and operating time, claimed Torron.

Then two more were delayed because of Torron's high blood pressure and concerns over his smoking.
Perhaps they figure that if they leave his arm like that, he will be less able to get the cigarette to his lips and so have to give up?

And what does the NHS have to say?
Nick Carver, the chief executive of the East and North Herts NHS Trust, insisted computer records showed the trust had only cancelled two operations - one in February and a second in May.
And computers are never wrong. Right?

11 comments:

Rob said...

"Concerns over his smoking" - as soon as they know you even smoke one fag a month, it's an excuse to cancel your treatment "on medical grounds".

Unknown said...

Bloody typical, why does smoking have to come into it? Fingers crossed I don't need treatment for a long time to come.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Hmmm, have the NHS never heard of "local" anaesthetics? I assisted many an anaethetist with brachial anaethestic to reset broken bones, insert pins, and debride open wounds, all while the patient was wide awake.

Anonymous said...

Right. Only the numpties who put the data in are often wrong.

JuliaM said...

"...as soon as they know you even smoke one fag a month, it's an excuse to cancel your treatment "on medical grounds"."

Yup. Expect more of this...

"Hmmm, have the NHS never heard of "local" anaesthetics?"

It's a pretty appalling sight. Perhaps they'd have to rebreak the arm?

"Only the numpties who put the data in are often wrong."

GIGO...

Westhouse said...

My brother usually says: "The 99% of computer problems is a loose nut between the keyboard and the chair"

A case in point ?

JuliaM said...

"My brother usually says: "The 99% of computer problems is a loose nut between the keyboard and the chair"..."

Heh! And it's soooo true.

Anonymous said...

Many years ago, while suffering from a back injury, I was given my first appointment to see a consultant at Boundary Park hospital in Oldham.

I arrived and was ushered into a small ante-room and told to sit down. Nurse then left. I waited.

After 15 minutes a different nurse came in and said "Why aren't you undressed yet?". Then she left so I undressed. Then waited.

Then a third nurse came in and said "Why aren't you getting your clothes back on, your appointment's over." I said "I haven't seen anyone yet". She ignored me and left. I got dressed. And waited.

Then the first nurse came back and said I had to go to the reception desk. I did. They announced I needed no further appointments as my course of treatment was complete.

None of these folk would believe me when I told them I hadn't even had my first consultation yet.

David Gillies said...

Westhouse: us IT types call it PEBCAK: problem exists between keyboard and chair.

And Julia: too damn right they're going to have to re-break it. An arm fracture will heal within weeks. At ten months, if his arm had been set correctly, his humerus would have recovered full mechanical strength. As it is, when he finally does get his operation, it will be much more complex, debilitating and dangerous than if he had been treated adequately in the first place. Most arm fractures can be reduced promptly without surgery. But they're going to have to open him up and pin the bone, with all the attendant iatrogenic dangers.

JuliaM said...

"None of these folk would believe me when I told them I hadn't even had my first consultation yet."

I sympathise, having dealt with NHS staff for most of this week. Brand new shiny hospital, new site, but same old lazy and incompetent staff as the old one.

"As it is, when he finally does get his operation, it will be much more complex, debilitating and dangerous than if he had been treated adequately in the first place."

Another 'pound wise, penny foolish' action from the wonder of the world, the NHS.