NHS - how to WASTE money

It makes my blood boil!

Over a week ago I agreed by phone to change the date of an operation to remove my stomach PEG because the date given clashed with our grandchildren being here over half term. The lady on the phone was very helpful and changed the appointment to the following week. Not only that, we also agreed that a bed overnight would NOT be needed as my wife would be with me at home on discharge. Imagine my disgust to get a typed letter yesterday from the hospital saying the bed was reserved for 2 nights and the appointment was the original date! Of course I rang up immediately and was told there was a mix-up. They would ring me back. Guess who is still waiting!

Clinical care is good but the NHS seems unable to communicate with anyone effectively. Each year the NHS must waste billions because of rubbish communications. Sorry,but the sooner the NHS sorts out its inefficiencies the better.  Let no-one claim that they can't be better. They can improve and give their "customers" a better experience too.

In private industry I would have SACKED people by now.   There really can be no excuse.

The NHS culture needs to change.

Driving further

Today I drove the car to and from Bury-St-Edmunds, parking at Waitrose. This is a 36 mile round trip involving a long stretch of the busy A14.   Driving was fine, with no problems, although people seem to be driving fast.

Local buses

We are supposed to have a service every hour from Burwell into and out of Cambridge. It used to be every half an hour which was good: if you missed one it was not too long to wait for another. On the last 2 occasions the bus has been over 30 minutes late. One is not quite sure whether to keep waiting or get the car out. This is very annoying.

I am told there is an Android app by Cambridgeshire County Council called MyBusTrip that gives real-time data on where buses are.  Perhaps I should get this and only leave the house when the bus is definitely on its way? I allow plenty of time for my weekly U3AC course in Cambridge, but I find the erraticness of our bus service makes people less likely to use them. Surely we should be encouraging local bus use?

UPDATE 1750z:  I have just downloaded the app and must say, so far, I am not that impressed with it.

The first spacewalk - a near disaster

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_9035/index.html .

So the truth can now be revealed that the first ever space walk by the Russians in 1965 so very nearly ended in tragedy. At the time we all knew nothing about it because of the propaganda war between the USSR and the USA over space exploration. Now the 80 year old, who was the first human to walk in space, reveals all.

Are we in for a VERY cold winter?

Some are predicting that we are in for a very cold winter here in the UK. Apparently it is, as always, due to the position of the jet stream.

See http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/436170/Worst-winter-for-decades-Record-breaking-snow-predicted-for-November .  I am no fan of the Daily Express, but I wonder if they will be proved right?

Stroke update

People who see me say how much better I look. I am now allowed to drive again and my stomach PEG is due to be removed Nov 4th. I still tire easily, feel wobbly when walking and still feel unwell generally.   I really hope my symptoms start to ease soon.

Facebook

You either love it or hate it.

Even though I am 65 and people think modern technology is past me, I love Facebook. It is a great way to keep in contact with friends and relatives that otherwise might get a Christmas card exchange just once a year. Thanks to Facebook, these distant friends are a daily part of my life. I enjoy finding out what they are doing and I frequently enjoy their comments and support when times have been tough.

I have resisted the temptation to join Twitter. Keeping up with Facebook is enough.