"And now, for a taste of things to come..."

Following publication of my first post on this blog, I found myself in a friendly debate with a Facebook friend of a friend about whether we are actually looking at the end of an NHS free at the point of need.  After all, politicians aren't actually talking about that, right?

Here, Dr Eoin Clarke points out why that's EXACTLY what we're looking at.  Parts of England are now charging for treatments/operations that once were free, 21 of them to be precise.  Read more in his excellent blog post on the subject -

The Green Benches: #NHS R.I.P. .... The 21 medical treatments/operations no longer #free in parts of England's #NHS.

Another day, another visit

The midwife has just left, having finished the 72 hour check on our son.  Not our usual lady who has seen my other half throughout the pregnancy, but nevertheless very helpful, and took her time examining our son.

Only 5% of his bodyweight lost since birth, so within the parameters of what's healthy. He's feeding well, and gives no cause for concern.

Next visit will be next week, until then we have a dedicated number to call in case anything worries us in the mean time.

Total cost of this consultation?  We didn't even have to put the kettle on.

The NHS saved my life... now I'm returning the favour

I'm sitting in the postnatal ward of Worcester Royal Hospital. My newborn son is asleep in the crook of my elbow. My wife is having her own well earned rest after being kept awake by my son all night.

Yesterday was a momentous day in our lives. We arrived at the hospital at 8am for an elective Caesarean section. As soon as we turned up, the staff on the ward showed us directly to our room, and talked us through eating arrangements for the day. Our room is clean and spacious, and well frequented by the staff. It's no exaggeration to say I've stayed in hotels that couldn't come close to providing this level of hospitality.

At 9am, we went to theatre. The anaesthetist talked us through the process, through what drugs would be administered and why, and outlined the various risks (and how minimal each one is in statistical terms). As my wife pointed out in our thank you card to the team, he had the most calming voice she had ever heard. He put her instantly at ease. Next, we met the midwife who would deliver our baby. I was pleased to see it was the same lady who delivered my daughter two years earlier. She was warm, friendly, pleased to see us, but more critically, professional. We also met the surgeons, who were likewise pleased to meet us.

Shortly afterwards, we went to the operating room. The team of professionals took their time, listened to all mine and my wife's questions, and those who were not directly involved in the surgery made small talk with us to help keep my wife relaxed. It worked, and within forty minutes, the most un-dramatic birth that could be imagined was complete. My beautiful son arrived weighing 8lb 5oz, and the staff congratulated us and joined us in our joy.

Later, I had an unrelated, pre-booked meeting with my endocrinologist. Three years earlier, he and the team at the Medical Assessment Unit saved my life when I was admitted in the depths of an Addisonian Crisis. Once invariably fatal, Addison's disease is now easily treatable, and after initially bringing me back from the brink of death, he has slowly reduced my medication to the point where I require very little to keep me feeling healthy and normal. As always, he was the model of warmth and professionalism; he addressed my concerns, and recommended I return in six months. I look forward to it.

At time of writing, I have about fifty quid in the bank. We're not uncomfortable financially, but with another mouth in the house, to make it through each month we're going to need to make all the cost savings we can. Just as well, then, that the magnificent healthcare I received yesterday, and that my wife and son are still receiving, was free at the point of need.

And yet, when I turn on the TV, for some reason I see reports that the NHS is failing. Well it's the first I've heard of it. I have three children and a lethal but medicated illness, so I use the NHS a lot. Every time I do, the staff are calm, professional and compassionate. It's a story we don't hear often enough, and though I am but one man, I'm looking to redress that balance. You see, the bad news stories aren't for nothing, they're heralding something. Our elected representatives plan on taking this away from us, in favour, of all things, of an American style healthcare system whereby healthcare is related to the recipient's ability to pay.

This must be resisted by anyone who claims a shred of conscience.

The NHS saved my life. It saved my wife's life, my daughter's life, my father's life and my mother's life. It has brought my children into the world and nursed me from the cradle, through childhood hearing tests to stitched injuries to the birth of my own kids. It is one of our nation's greatest achievements, and it's time we started acting like it. So though I may be just one man, I'll be honestly documenting my own experiences with the NHS on this blog from now on. I'm not much on civil disobedience, I'm no organised activist, but I can sure as hell write, and from what I gather, the pen compares favourably to the sword. I'd invite you all to do the same, in the comments in blogs of your own, at work, at the pub, with family, with friends, everywhere you can.

Yesterday, my son was born in a clean, friendly and affordable hospital; I'll be doing what I can to ensure my grandson can claim the same.