Another week in NHSland.

My Dad had his much needed operation on Monday.

The lead up had been fraught with ambulances, pain, suffering and tears.

But eventually 360′ of empathy for the patient, the wife and indeed the daughter (me), prevailed, the surgeon sorted an emergency urgent red flag pathway surgery blah blah.. On .. MONDAY.

0′ of empathy shown by admitting nurse… and off the 83 year old had to stumble. Along with the other  patients of the day. Unaccompanied. To the ward. Don’t ring us we’ll ring you the grim receptionist announced to the waiting, anxious, relatives. As the doomed stumbled through the electric doors which shut with indecent speed. Hiding them from their nearest and dearest, who had brought them there. We all looked at each other ahgast. Now what do we do?

Having waited all day, I phoned the ward at 6. 10′ of empathy. No details. Eventually the phone rang. Please collect your father. What? NOW? 9pm?

You should’ve seen me stumbling along with broken foot and a wheel chair to get him.

Treatment plan? Op details? Complications?

It is all in the letter a grumpy nurse replied.

Turns out that letter just said ‘paracetamol’ and ‘tight pants’ I’m. Not. Joking.

Anyhow, a sibling turned up to stay with parents and I got home. Dad was happily still full of anaesthetic and euphoric to have got rid of the rugby ball hernia which had caused so much pain.

Of course this did not last. I then had to dash about a day later to get him readmitted, open wound, no dressings, fever, leaking site, no drain tube… Ffs…

He’s still there. Sitting up. Big antibiotics going in iv. Big fluids iv. Painkillers iv etc etc. best pjs on. Much better tonight But REALLY? 🤔 Would it not have been better to keep him in at least overnight ? 🛏 After his 3 hour op sending him home 4 hours later defies belief. 🕒 Put a dressing on? 💉 Dose with antibiotics? 😷 DVT stockings🧦 generally work better ON the patients’ legs not left in the packet by his bed. INVOLVE the daughter? wife? rest of family? Dad has just sent an ipad email. (I got his wifi going today .) ‘Thankyou‘ His message said.

Bonkers.

I feel a letter coming on. But I am so tired I’ll have to do that tomorrow

Yep. Of course. I have infection.But I have sent msu . Started antibiotics. Argh.