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NHS could be facing its 'worst winter yet'
The Telegraph ^ | 11/5/2013

Posted on 11/05/2013 1:46:28 AM PST by markomalley

Soaring demand, a shortage of doctors and "toxic" overcrowding on hospital warns could make this the "worst winter yet" for NHS accident and emergency departments, a senior consultant has warned.

Bernadette Garrihy, a member of the board of the College of Emergency Medicine, said doctors were concerned about their ability to provide "a safe and quality service" this winter and advised patients to only attend casualty departments "as a last resort."

She said Government measures to ease the pressure on A&E amounted to "a drop in the ocean" and called for all parts of the NHS and social services to consider seven-day operations, to provide out-of-hours care for patients in the evenings and at weekends.

Dr Garrihy told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "We are getting ready for what may be our worst winter yet, and we have been warning about this for a number of months. "As we have had data last week from the National Audit Office, we know that our attendances are going up, we know that our rate of admission is going up, we know that the complexity of the cases we are seeing is increasing.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: facing; nhs; uk; unitedkingdom; winter; worst
Gee, I sure am looking forward to having good health care like they have in the UK </sarc>
1 posted on 11/05/2013 1:46:28 AM PST by markomalley
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To: markomalley

This sounds like an Obama dream for the US. He can’t wait to bring America to its knees before his term is up. The rush is on to finish the job before his Teflon wears off completely.


2 posted on 11/05/2013 1:52:13 AM PST by Truth29
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To: markomalley

GE donating a BILLION DOLLARS in used, off-lease, out-of-date equipment to NHS last year should have been a big clue, with flashing lights, for what nationalized healthcare really is, but the US Media refused to cover it, for fear of harming a Democrat.


3 posted on 11/05/2013 2:06:03 AM PST by tcrlaf (Well, it is what the Sheeple voted for....)
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To: markomalley

Actually we do.

Yes, the NHS is flawed, sometimes badly. BUT the UK does not have a third rate, hellhole of a healthcare system (and of course many of us in the UK have private care).

If Americans actually used the NHS, whilst they may find bits of it inferior to the US, they would be pleasantly surprised at how good it is, given the horror stories they have been told.


4 posted on 11/05/2013 3:02:20 AM PST by the scotsman (i)
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To: markomalley

I’m not going to any hospital any more unless I’m already unconscious and someone else calls 911.

Had to call 911 this Sunday because I hurt my back so bad I was down on the floor.I live alone and couldn’t even get in a cab, let alone my own car. EMTs were rude and argumentative and told me I wasn’t helping them and that I would go to the nearest hospital, even though it’s not where my doctors are and where I always go. Treated me like a nuisance because I asked them to grab my purse, glasses and a coat before we left. I had to drag myself to open my front door for them so they wouldn’t have to break a window.

Glad they got me to the hospital. Everybody’s attitude was great. Blood pressure went from 170/105 to 137/80 as soon as I got away from those goons. Won’t be calling them again for anything short of chest pain or respiratory distress. I’m sure they’ll be happier with that situation—maybe.

Been in health care for 35 years. Never thought I’d ever see EMTs this rude. What gives?


5 posted on 11/05/2013 3:29:36 AM PST by Catmom (We're all gonna get the punishment only some of us deserve.)
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To: the scotsman

Complete BS. I’m Canadian with the same government health care it it sucks completely. You can’t sugar coat a turd. I guess you can polish it though.


6 posted on 11/05/2013 3:39:09 AM PST by Bulwyf
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To: Catmom

They must be like the ems here. They want to collect their government money and do as little as they can. It’s like a contest to see who can get paid the most for doing the least.

I’m sorry you went through all that.


7 posted on 11/05/2013 3:43:20 AM PST by Bulwyf
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To: Bulwyf

Thanks for the sympathy. I’m actually AFRAID to call 911 now.


8 posted on 11/05/2013 3:55:43 AM PST by Catmom (We're all gonna get the punishment only some of us deserve.)
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To: Catmom

Speaking as a Former EMT, their behavior was awful. We always tried to take people to the hospital of the patients choosing, unless it was dire and then we took them to the nearest place.
But I was speaking to a supervisor and he said that the new medics are lazy and he is more like a baby sitter.


9 posted on 11/05/2013 5:01:43 AM PST by Yorlik803 ( Church/Caboose in 2016)
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To: Yorlik803

Thanks for your understanding words.

I’ve been a nurse for 35 years and wouldn’t dream of treating a patient like this. It was such a nightmare. I’m not sure what I’ll do if I need them again. I’m actually frightened.


10 posted on 11/05/2013 6:04:50 AM PST by Catmom (We're all gonna get the punishment only some of us deserve.)
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To: Catmom

I wish your health holds or the next time you call you get a better crew.
The shame is when I was a medic, people did it to really help others. We did it because nobody else wanted to.
Now Its just a job. Something to do with disdain and apathy. They will still get a paycheck regardless of what they do. And if they are in a Union, they will never be fired unless they are seen sticking a knife into someone’s chest.


11 posted on 11/05/2013 6:11:32 AM PST by Yorlik803 ( Church/Caboose in 2016)
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To: Yorlik803

Thanks for your observations. Sadly they make me feel better because
they confirm some suspicions I had about their behavior but was too ashamed to think they might be true. God help us older adults. I don’t want people like this taking care of me.


12 posted on 11/05/2013 6:18:54 AM PST by Catmom (We're all gonna get the punishment only some of us deserve.)
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To: Bulwyf

So you basing your opinion on a system you’ve never used on your own?.


13 posted on 11/05/2013 8:06:04 AM PST by the scotsman (i)
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To: Bulwyf

By all means, bash the NHS, but use it first. I wouldn’t bash the Canadian NHS, as I have never (very sadly) been to Canada.


14 posted on 11/05/2013 8:07:28 AM PST by the scotsman (i)
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To: Catmom

Nor would I.
but we have a edge because we both have medical knowledge. If you show you know what they are doing and start calling them on it, they will back down.
if its a City EMS, call the HQ. Pittsburgh has a Department that over sees Police,Fire and EMS and will look into claims. And they are headhunters. If its a Volunteer service, call the mayor.
good Luck CatMom....


15 posted on 11/05/2013 8:07:31 AM PST by Yorlik803 ( Church/Caboose in 2016)
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To: the scotsman

It’s controlled by bureaucrats, that’s all I need to know.


16 posted on 11/05/2013 9:06:20 AM PST by Bulwyf
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