Well, the TV show aired and rather than taking time to see the feedback and reflect on the journey so far, a trip to hospital kinda put a spanner in the works this week and has forced me to stop still in my tracks.
I have never liked hospitals – depressing noisy places with a lingering smell of sickness and disinfectant. However having experienced the NZ public health service first hand I feel it only fair to set the record straight about the excellent health service we have in this country and the dedicated professionals who work so hard within its systems.
Travelling to hospital by ambulance in the early hours of the morning was quite scary. While the paramedic took it upon himself to lecture me on the purpose of pain (if you have pain – go to the doctor, dont wait until you need an ambulance was basically his message!) all I could think about through my gritted teeth was why the bleep bleep hadn’t I asked them to go the route avoiding the bumpy gravel road…
I am not surprised at the cost of our health service here in New Zealand – the care and attention delivered by the doctors, nurses and care assistants is phenomenal. What was slightly shocking to me (from my observations this week) is the amount of illnesses being treated that perhaps could have been avoided through healthy living – from issues stemming from obesity to alcohol abuse.
Our public health system creaks along – it’s amazing with so many patients and with health decisions changing so fast that things like the hospital food service can keep up at all. I confess when I finally was allowed to eat and found my appetite – the non-arrival of my breakfast (toast) this morning had me chasing the poor orderly down the corridor in a state of panic and near to tears. He took off at high speed poor man. After that I thought it best to stock up on a cheese scone from the downstairs cafe in case my lunch suffered a similar fate.
The sheer kindness of the nurses looking after me is, quite frankly humbling. They work so hard and maintain a calm professional manner in the face of some very rude and demanding patients. Personally I thank my blessings we have a public health service in this day and age – but lets face it you are not paying to stay in some top hotel!
It does however pay to have your wits about you and to pay attention to everything you are told. In a busy ward it only takes one person to forget to make some notes to find that your pain relief is not administered or food is offered to a patient who is nil by mouth. The health staff act as social workers at times as well as looking out for elderly confused patients suffering with alzheimers.
There have been 2 occasions when I have felt like ripping back the curtains around patients who, whilst surrounded by doctors and nurses as well as close family have done nothing but moan and complain about their sorry lot at full volume, refusing to take medical specialists advice and at the same time contributing to the distress of other sick patients around them. Instead taking a leisurely walk around the ward to lower my own blood pressure seemed a better option…..
So, while I still have a semblance of a sense of humour here are some of my health service observations.
- Hospital Food
okay, I had to start with this one. Actually, it could be worse – but for anyone who experienced school dinners in the 70’s and 80’s you will understand why I shiver at the sight of hospital mash potato, custard (a la thick skin)and mushy orange vegetables which even after eating I could not identify accurately. Methinks Gordon Ramsay should pay a visit to the canteen…. - Doctors
They say it’s a sign of getting older when doctors and policeman start looking really young. I have to say all the doctors here look really young which makes me slightly nervous. On top of this, they seem fit, have great teeth and are fashionably dressed. I feel like I am in an episode of a TV soap! - Privacy
There is no privacy in a shared hospital room – you hear EVERYTHING! All the patients quickly get to know what is wrong wih their room mates, along with all their gory personal details. At the end of a short stay it’s not surprising that you feel like you are on your way to gaining a medical diploma of some sort. - Drugs
Ah! What can I tell you about the drugs except that when you are sick the drugs they dish out are goooood! - And finally – yes it truly does hurt to laugh!
This weekend I have a brief reprieve in the form of a trip home before a further scan and then an operation. So right now I would like to say a big big thank you to all those who have been looking after me – especially B and E – you know who you are! I just have to remember to behave myself and try not to do the very big list of chores waiting for me at home…….