36 hours and 3 hospitals. A sprint around the NHS world in double quick time.

First up early morning train to London. Back to OPAT the dingy clinic off Tottenham Court Road. Ground hog day. Sleepy security merely nodded. Maybe he thinks I work there? Freedom Condom kiosk was shut. Unfortunate for the hopeful patients in STD.

Upstairs in OPAT I was expected. Mid line was removed. Dr Tom was ‘ expected’

After a while a seemingly 12 year old young man called me in. This was indeed Dr Tom. Poor man. Hadn’t a clue. Struggled with the software ‘ Eric’. Couldn’t make eye contact. Stared at his screen. One finger typing to try to get solutions . I felt like shoving him out the way and commandeering the keyboard. Despite his best efforts no I do not have a right kidney. Yes I do have allergies. No I do not live near the hospital. … yes I need an appointment yes pharmacy needs to give me more antibiotics.

You know the rest. … I escaped .. pharmacy was shut… next appointment in 2 weeks has ended up being in 2 months …. Fffff

Next up Bedford hospital. Yep the place where my medical dramas began. However, this time it was to pay tribute to my late friend Mira. The unveiling of a plaque a tree in her memory. She’d designed the children’s ward the maternity unit. Consultant Paediatrician extraordinare. The speeches. The family. The colleagues. And me. A very uplifting moment in time. Even coffee provided by the hospital! I understand the bureaucracy involved in this event alone caused more stress than anyone could imagine. But then we could predict that really couldn’t we? Who the hell makes these dam rules?

I found myself standing next to her erstwhile colleague. now retired. What could I say when she asked me how are you? I mumbled ‘ fine’. Of course it was she, in fact a nice lady really, who had been my surgeon doing the hysterectomy that buggered my ureter. Oh buggggerrrr.

Next up was a sprint to Luton via the dental surgeon repair clinic near home. Luton was busy. Police and ambulances patients and people everywhere. I was seen in max fax eventually. Jaw rewired and for some reason incredibly painful. My journey home in the dark and rain halted by road closures. Car crashes. Biting into a gum guard to stop the excruciating pain. And home. Phew.

Onwards we go. Following the conference a few weeks ago I’d been invited to lunch. By an extremely brilliant CEO. his company have produced a device It’s a game changer. It stops the infections. It stops the blockages. It is transformative for patients with indwelling catheters. It is absolutely what is needed. Economically Quality of life enhancement no brainer. Guess what ? the bureaucrats in NHS land are not supporting. It is on prescription. It is NICE approved. It is supported by the evidence. But no the hospitals are not able to use this. The prevention. The anti microbial resistance. It meets these essential targets. But NHS bureaucrats can’t cope.

It is called ‘ uroshield’. Watch this space. We must get it out there.

I’m even tempted to ask Jerome to bung me a suprapubic and put the uroshield on. It might just do the trick. Watch me try.