So, let me say something positive about British healthcare professionals: given the insane bureaucracy and meddling, soundbite-driven, target-oriented micromanagement by the government, given the complete disconnect of normal market self-interest in making medical people care about patient loyalty, it is a remarkable testament to the skill, dedication and commitment of those healthcare staff who do actually care and do actually deliver, that the UK is not at the bottom of the healthcare charts.Or, if I may translate that into Government-speak, We are truly blessed that the NHS has so many really motivated and highly skilled people... [...who are dedicated and able enough to overcome the massive hurdles placed in their way by useless meddling bureaucrats and actually get some of us well again once in a while].
I've heard the Government version of that argument quite a lot over the years (albeit not in exactly those terms). It has always confused me somewhat, especially when used to justify spending more money on the bureaucrats. Or to justify "protecting" the NHS budget.
Well said, Obo.
Well said.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there are inherent problems in the NHS which these really motivated and highly skilled people by their actions propagate. One is hierarchy, so efficiency on getting a task achieved cannot occur.
Last year when I was in hospital, the doctor said "I can't do that. That always has to be done by a nurse." (taking stitches out, which just involved pulling a cord out).
A nurse said "I can't do that. That has to be done by the staff nurse." I had thought she was a staff nurse. It was an antiquated state of affairs, but crucially there is no one there to break the cycle with impunity.
My other angst was this 'no touch nursing' to prevent the spread of infection. It is cleverly done, waiting for you to hold out your arm or struggle to sit up. Given they dehydrated me since a drip failed, they could have been kinder.
And all this in a private hospital. The NHS seems worse, but there again, perhaps well-defined roles mean less mishaps.