THE Guardian’s mystery columnist asked for people’s experiences of the NHS.
I have been under Macclesfield and Stepping Hill Hospitals’ since November last year and have received a diagnosis that requires having a kidney and ureter removed and a tumour just above the bladder.
My experience of the NHS has been a bit of a rollercoaster, to put it mildly.
The specialists, I think are exceptional, also the radiologists and especially the wonderful nurses I have encountered.
I have noticed, however, that they are struggling under the strain of numbers and lack of resources, plus a significant system failure.
On the other hand, appointments for scans and tests and to see specialists regarding the results, I think, have been done at astonishing speeds - I couldn’t fault them on that.
However, I do have very serious concerns about the apparent lack of integration of the IT systems between the two hospitals, which has meant that on three occasions since early December, I have been at an appointment with a specialist in both hospitals, where key reports from other specialists or tests have been missing from my file, because there is currently no mechanism for sharing reports and correspondence.
I have actually made this the subject of a formal complaint to Stepping Hill Hospital, which I understand is now being taken up.
This is in addition to my two letters to George Osborne MP where I express my deep anxiety and concerns about the proposed surgery date of five weeks following a devastating second diagnosis.
Mr Osborne has been instrumental in achieving an earlier date for my surgery, for which I am extremely grateful, but my wider concerns in my letters to him have yet to be addressed.
I have also written to cross party MPs with health interests. I have not yet received replies, but it is early days.
My concern is that you shouldn’t have to lobby to get a reasonable service and I am deeply concerned about the elderly and those who live alone without any support and those who don’t know where to turn in deeply anxious situations.
I hope you find this account useful/interesting in contributing to the debate, that you have initiated in your recent column.
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