NHS - good & not so good stories

[Cocobean]

I have worked in a middle management role in the NHS now for just over a year coming from the private sector, and the difference is staggering!!
Part of my terms was that I could work from home one day a week, and it has taken 9 months (NINE!) to be given a laptop of my own to do that. Up until that point I was borrowing a dept one.

The systems are so antiquated. They think I am absolute guru/goddess as I have now managed to structure their meetings with agendas and action logs (which they had never heard of) digital annual leave spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations... all the things that I am used to, and do with my eyes shut seem to be completely foreign in here!

Not sure if its just this dept or my trust as a whole, but everything is so archaic! Offices just filled with second hand old timey desks, everything still done on paper instead of digital, takes an era to get something from one dept to another and lets just not discuss the IT dept! (Think IT crowd)

 

[It’s The Truman Show]

I have worked in a middle management role in the NHS now for just over a year coming from the private sector, and the difference is staggering!!
Part of my terms was that I could work from home one day a week, and it has taken 9 months (NINE!) to be given a laptop of my own to do that. Up until that point I was borrowing a dept one.

The systems are so antiquated. They think I am absolute guru/goddess as I have now managed to structure their meetings with agendas and action logs (which they had never heard of) digital annual leave spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations... all the things that I am used to, and do with my eyes shut seem to be completely foreign in here!

Not sure if its just this dept or my trust as a whole, but everything is so archaic! Offices just filled with second hand old timey desks, everything still done on paper instead of digital, takes an era to get something from one dept to another and lets just not discuss the IT dept! (Think IT crowd)

I hear ya !!! Tbf our IT dept is pretty amazing. Also some of our systems are really good and have moved away from paper it’s brilliant. I went to work for a big London trust for a while and o was astounded at the paper based stuff they had for a flag ship very wealthy NHS hospital !! However the NHS is a mad place. Pretty toxic as well. Wish I could get out but am lucky enough to do a fair bit at home and can work autonomously in my role and feel proud.

 

[Cocobean]

I hear ya !!! Tbf our IT dept is pretty amazing. Also some of our systems are really good and have moved away from paper it’s brilliant. I went to work for a big London trust for a while and o was astounded at the paper based stuff they had for a flag ship very wealthy NHS hospital !! However the NHS is a mad place. Pretty toxic as well. Wish I could get out but am lucky enough to do a fair bit at home and can work autonomously in my role and feel proud.

Luckily I have managed to forge some good relationships in certain depts so its definitely a case of WHO you know when I need something doing. But the most basic of tasks (maybe its just me) seem like a chore to some people in here, or they just looked blank at me.

What amazes me is that the people who dont actually do their job properly, lazy, etc - are never pulled about it. One of the new secretaries is just pure lazy, total CBA attitude, always calls in sick on a Monday - you know the type. I challenged one of the other secretaries and said why isn't she being managed properly about it, performance plans, documented meetings etc... and she said that just doesn't happen in the NHS. If she is tit she will just be shipped somewhere else....

WHAAATTTTT - I am just not used to this level of NON management!!

 

[Pixipoppy]

I have worked in a middle management role in the NHS now for just over a year coming from the private sector, and the difference is staggering!!
Part of my terms was that I could work from home one day a week, and it has taken 9 months (NINE!) to be given a laptop of my own to do that. Up until that point I was borrowing a dept one.

The systems are so antiquated. They think I am absolute guru/goddess as I have now managed to structure their meetings with agendas and action logs (which they had never heard of) digital annual leave spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations... all the things that I am used to, and do with my eyes shut seem to be completely foreign in here!

Not sure if its just this dept or my trust as a whole, but everything is so archaic! Offices just filled with second hand old timey desks, everything still done on paper instead of digital, takes an era to get something from one dept to another and lets just not discuss the IT dept! (Think IT crowd)

It’s like that everywhere I’ve worked (in NHS). I’ve known colleagues to print out a word document, fill it in my hand and then scan it back in to email it instead of just editing the document So many extra steps are added to everything. Also had to show a senior manager how to add a page break on Microsoft word once. We also still use fax. Our office looks like it’s stuck in the 2000s, until recently we used outlook 2007. Theres random folders of old information from decades ago that no one ever thinks to throw away. The radio in our office has a tape deck. Need I go on

 

[Cocobean]

It’s like that everywhere I’ve worked (in NHS). I’ve known colleagues to print out a word document, fill it in my hand and then scan it back in to email it instead of just editing the document So many extra steps are added to everything. Also had to show a senior manager how to add a page break on Microsoft word once. We also still use fax. Our office looks like it’s stuck in the 2000s, until recently we used outlook 2007. Theres random folders of old information from decades ago that no one ever thinks to throw away. The radio in our office has a tape deck. Need I go on

When I took over my office I started throwing out loads of old paperwork that had been left in here from as far back as 2002 (keeping anything from the last 6 years) and there was uproar!!! "so when is the last time you looked at this" i said blowing dust off the files

"well you never know"

Sorry mate, if you haven't used it in the last 12 months (which was fairly obvious as there was more dust on it than there is in the Pyramids) its going. A year on and I am still battling to get some drawers out of my office which hold archaic paperwork...

 

[It’s The Truman Show]

Luckily I have managed to forge some good relationships in certain depts so its definitely a case of WHO you know when I need something doing. But the most basic of tasks (maybe its just me) seem like a chore to some people in here, or they just looked blank at me.

What amazes me is that the people who dont actually do their job properly, lazy, etc - are never pulled about it. One of the new secretaries is just pure lazy, total CBA attitude, always calls in sick on a Monday - you know the type. I challenged one of the other secretaries and said why isn't she being managed properly about it, performance plans, documented meetings etc... and she said that just doesn't happen in the NHS. If she is tit she will just be shipped somewhere else....

WHAAATTTTT - I am just not used to this level of NON management!!

I certainly do know the types you mean. Ringing in sick on Mondays and Fridays, and also those who just don’t do their jobs properly and have any accountability. There is a real fear of being accused of bullying I think at the moment if you pull people up on stuff. People who don’t adhere to uniform policy do my head in …. Lazy messy wearing jeans hair down all over the place, anyway I could go on. Can’t believe how people behave sometimes. Whilst I love the concept of the NHS there are times I feel it should be privatised to get rid of some people.

 

[Tatooine_legend1]

Always been positive for me personally. Whenever I had a panic attack and genuinely worried about my breathing/heart, I called 111 (did wait for a bit) and then spoke to a Dr, who then advised I go to the hospital.

Went there, waited to see an out of hours Dr, then they took me for checks, had to stay overnight (not ideal) and got ECG, blood checks, heart scan, they really went the extra mile to make sure I was fine. Even though I may have had a panic attack, at the time it was scary and I didn't know, but they still made sure I was fine.

My dad has had bladder cancer for a couple years. They have been really good with him too, even during the lockdown. They checked up on him every 3 months, put him on immunotherapy (unsuccessful) and have removed any tumour growth he had in the bladder.

So far, so good, he has been doing pretty well since, and living a normal life. Unfortunately he may need to have surgery in the near future, but as for the NHS keeping an eye on the cancer, they've been nothing more than thorough and great with it. even during lockdown they stuck to the 3 month check up, so that was great. Maybe he's one of the lucky ones.

 

[265]

I've had medical issues in the past which the NHS have dealt with very well.

I'm currently in a new drama, 2 weeks ago during shaving I discovered a lump under my
right ear. The following Monday I went to see a GP, She started the ball rolling but getting
me a chest x-ray (I'm a Smoker) a Blood test and a trip to the ENT Lump clinic. AT this
stage the lump wasn't diagnosed, I needed an ultrasound and a drop of blood. I stayed
home from work waiting for a phone call and yesterday the call came in and went to the
hospital a couple of hours later for an ultrasound and a biopsy. Now I'm waiting again for
results and perhaps more tests. My Brother went through the same tit 5 years ago this
month which I happen to mention to the GP at the start.

This story isn't over yet but I can't fault the NHS, even in these difficult times with Covid.

 

[Cariad]

I've worked in NHS for 34 years and have seen good and bad throughout
The trust I'm currently working in is very rural and covers a huge geographical area .There are 3 district general hospitals across this trust which all have different patient information systems- so can't easily check if patient has appointment at another site or read clinic letters from specialists at other sites, can't even check GP notes to see what current medication someone is on ....crazy!
Unfortunately it would cost millions ( if not billions) to streamline the IT system for the whole of the NHS
However my husband deals with medical negligence cases and says some people's expectations of treatment/ outcomes are wildly unrealistic and think they can sue for some unbelievable reasons

 

[avisina78]

My mother was diagnosed with staged 2 breast cancer within 2 weeks of being diagnosed she had a mastectomy. Started medication and radiation a few weeks later, everything organized so well and so swiftly. There was so much support even now 6 years later the specialist and nurses are but a phonecall away, amazing. That was in England.

I had 2 of my kids in England, 1st ok experience, hospital was old, cramp space but great midwife, 2nd great facilities but staff/midwives were awful.

3rd child up north in Scotland have to say the staff/midwives were absolutely amazing except one but I think she was the tough love type so I let that go. Massive hospital rooms, 4 beds to a room but there was only ever me and another woman in there and I was in for 2 days - and there were 13 babies born at the same hospital on the day my youngest was born, I remember I asked and I was shocked that the midwife said that it was actually a slow night, the busiest they've had was 31 babies in 24 hours.

Generally our GPs are amazing especially when it comes to the kids, like above and beyond stuff.

Down south though my family are always complaining, test results going missing - more than once I might add, GPs not so plesent and almost impossible to get an appointment and this was pre Covid can't imagine what it's like now and oh the receptionists - that's another story lol

Probably due to the population being higher down south.

When my father passed away the Doctor was rude and horrible and asked us why we were upset, that we should be grateful because it's what he wanted. I still hate him to this day.

When my brother passed away (he was mentally and physically disabled, was ill and in hospital for 2 weeks before he passed) they were so kind, each member of staff came to pay their condolences held my mother's hand and sat with her, let us have all the time we needed and were just amazing.

 

[winterscomin]

Tw: mental health a feeling too low
I had a mental breakdown November last year. I was so desperate to end it, I was insistent that I would hurt my husband, pets, and anyone else that got in my way when I tried to end my life. He took me to a&e because I wouldn’t stop screaming, panicking, and talking in detail about how I was going to snap and do XYZ to him/myself.
I remember screaming at the Crisis people after waiting 6 hours to see them. I told them I wasn’t safe, and no one around me was safe. I begged them to take me away so my husband was safe. Or to do something at least.
they just kept asking me what triggered it, and I didn’t know. They decided without a trigger, there was nothing they can do. Because my husband is a “protective factor” they had no obligation to help me. He would keep me alive. They sent me home with nothing.
It’s almost been a year and I still feel the same, I’m just too tired to scream and cry all the time. I’ve been put on max dose meds that have done nothing but give me insomnia and pile on weight. They won’t change them. They won’t give me help.
i don’t remember the last time I actually felt anything other than the constant need to end my life. And the NHS have left me to deal with it by myself

On the flip side I had wonderful treatment in hospital when I was stuck on the ward with people puking. I’m emetophobic. A lovely nurse saw me crying, found me some headphones, and tried to do everything she could to help me. I’ve been in hospital many times and nurses are so lovely.

 

[ketsket66]

i got misdiagnosed and given anti biotics for something i didn't have after they didnt do proper testing at the walk in clinic at a&e. most traumatising few weeks of my life. i hope im not alone.

 

[caterday28]

I'm not sure if I've posted in this thread before, but I have had a LOT of mental health support from the NHS (think more than a dozen therapists, hundreds of therapy sessions and more than a dozen hospital admissions - a lot). It's hard to be objective when these are the same people who can and do detain you under the mental health act but all in all I've only ever had positive experiences. Some therapists have really gone above and beyond for me. However, I do think my experiences are probably not representative of most. I have heard lots of horror stories. On paper my illness can look severe, but I also have diagnoses that are more accepted and seem to fare more favourably in the lottery of support (compared with a personality disorder, for example).

 

[avisina78]

Tw: mental health a feeling too low
I had a mental breakdown November last year. I was so desperate to end it, I was insistent that I would hurt my husband, pets, and anyone else that got in my way when I tried to end my life. He took me to a&e because I wouldn’t stop screaming, panicking, and talking in detail about how I was going to snap and do XYZ to him/myself.
I remember screaming at the Crisis people after waiting 6 hours to see them. I told them I wasn’t safe, and no one around me was safe. I begged them to take me away so my husband was safe. Or to do something at least.
they just kept asking me what triggered it, and I didn’t know. They decided without a trigger, there was nothing they can do. Because my husband is a “protective factor” they had no obligation to help me. He would keep me alive. They sent me home with nothing.
It’s almost been a year and I still feel the same, I’m just too tired to scream and cry all the time. I’ve been put on max dose meds that have done nothing but give me insomnia and pile on weight. They won’t change them. They won’t give me help.
i don’t remember the last time I actually felt anything other than the constant need to end my life. And the NHS have left me to deal with it by myself

On the flip side I had wonderful treatment in hospital when I was stuck on the ward with people puking. I’m emetophobic. A lovely nurse saw me crying, found me some headphones, and tried to do everything she could to help me. I’ve been in hospital many times and nurses are so lovely.

So sorry you are going through this and not getting the support you need. I wish I could give you a hug or say something that could help. I hope things start to get better for you soon xx

 

[Lovely bit of squirrel]

My experience with the nhs is they automatically like to pin something on you and diagnose you based on your lifestyle.

I've had certain health issues for many years, and in recent years have finally spoke to my gp about them as they were becoming worse. Since I've spoke to my gp and been reffered to other doctors and nurses, I've become rather overweight. I admit my condition of being overweight doesn't help my health, but to pin the cause of the health condition on me being overweight and my weight being the cause is impossible. If the doctor said, your weight doesn't help your health issue and you really need to lose weight for your own health, I'd be fine with that. It's the dismissive we can't find the source, but oh you've put on weight so we'll pin the blame on that.

I've also seen it happen with my boyfriend and they've done it in other situations with me. The first three questions they like to ask are, are you sexually active, are you a smoker and your weight. I understand they have to ask these questions and those three things are usually a common cause of health problems, but it feels like the nhs staff are robots, can't be bothered and also lifestyle choices are not the only and/or main cause of problems always.

My experience with the nhs is they automatically like to pin something on you and diagnose you based on your lifestyle.

I've had certain health issues for many years, and in recent years have finally spoke to my gp about them as they were becoming worse. Since I've spoke to my gp and been reffered to other doctors and nurses, I've become rather overweight. I admit my condition of being overweight doesn't help my health, but to pin the cause of the health condition on me being overweight and my weight being the cause is impossible. If the doctor said, your weight doesn't help your health issue and you really need to lose weight for your own health, I'd be fine with that. It's the dismissive we can't find the source, but oh you've put on weight so we'll pin the blame on that.

I've also seen it happen with my boyfriend and they've done it in other situations with me. The first three questions they like to ask are, are you sexually active, are you a smoker and your weight. I understand they have to ask these questions and those three things are usually a common cause of health problems, but it feels like the nhs staff are robots, can't be bothered and also lifestyle choices are not the only and/or main cause of problems always.


Eta- I am grateful for the NHS nonetheless and appreciate the hard work many of them do, but from having various conditions and problems my experience hasn't been great to be completely honest.

My experience with the nhs is they automatically like to pin something on you and diagnose you based on your lifestyle.

I've had certain health issues for many years, and in recent years have finally spoke to my gp about them as they were becoming worse. Since I've spoke to my gp and been reffered to other doctors and nurses, I've become rather overweight. I admit my condition of being overweight doesn't help my health, but to pin the cause of the health condition on me being overweight and my weight being the cause is impossible. If the doctor said, your weight doesn't help your health issue and you really need to lose weight for your own health, I'd be fine with that. It's the dismissive we can't find the source, but oh you've put on weight so we'll pin the blame on that.

I've also seen it happen with my boyfriend and they've done it in other situations with me. The first three questions they like to ask are, are you sexually active, are you a smoker and your weight. I understand they have to ask these questions and those three things are usually a common cause of health problems, but it feels like the nhs staff are robots, can't be bothered and also lifestyle choices are not the only and/or main cause of problems always.

Eta- I am grateful for the NHS nonetheless and appreciate the hard work many of them do, but from having various conditions and problems my experience hasn't been great to be completely honest.
[/QUOTE]

 

[HoGi]

My husband has been referred for exploratory work. Gets a text today to call and book the appointment. Calls them and they spend 5 minutes asking all sorts of questions. She then proceeds to tell him there are no appointments this year and next years diary isn't open yet.

Why blood text him to book then!!

 

[inkypinkyponky]

My husband has been referred for exploratory work. Gets a text today to call and book the appointment. Calls them and they spend 5 minutes asking all sorts of questions. She then proceeds to tell him there are no appointments this year and next years diary isn't open yet.

Why blood text him to book then!!

Maybe the answers to his questions dictated a urgent or more routine appointment. Only thing i can think of that makes this less bizarre! some people have a habit of not explaining the processes and procedures which they work to which makes things easier to understand for us, . Anything booking wise i have had with the NHS has been a pain though! My local hospital trusts organisational and admin skills are shocking

 

[HoGi]

Maybe the answers to his questions dictated a urgent or more routine appointment. Only thing i can think of that makes this less bizarre! some people have a habit of not explaining the processes and procedures which they work to which makes things easier to understand for us, . Anything booking wise i have had with the NHS has been a pain though! My local hospital trusts organisational and admin skills are shocking

Nope the questions were literally

- do you have covid
- are you isolating
- have you been abroad in the past 14 days

All answers no

Eta there were obviously more than that as it took 5 mins. But it was name, dob, address, mobile number, do you need a chaperone. Nothing clinically specific that would bring forward or back an appointment

 

[inkypinkyponky]

Nope the questions were literally

- do you have covid
- are you isolating
- have you been abroad in the past 14 days

All answers no

Eta there were obviously more than that as it took 5 mins. But it was name, dob, address, mobile number, do you need a chaperone. Nothing clinically specific that would bring forward or back an appointment

What a waste of time for him and them! Especially asking covid questions when there are no appointments.

 

[HoGi]

What a waste of time for him and them! Especially asking covid questions when there are no appointments.

Yup! They have said they will call him back. I'm not hopeful! But at least we have the original text so we can call them again in a couple of weeks