A bone to pick with NHS
My husband tripped over a toy and banged his foot in the middle of the night on Saturday (as you do).

The next morning, I drove him to the nearest minor injuries unit, where a nurse said it was probably broken and required an X-ray. Except, being a Sunday, radiology was shut. She suggested he come back on Monday.

But his work diary was packed (he left home before 8am and returned after I was asleep); Tuesday’s, too. He is still hobbling around on crutches, chucking down painkillers and groaning melodramatically. The foot has not yet been X-rayed. Obviously it’s not life threatening. But it is very painful.Trouble is, like most people, he doesn’t have a spare half-day to sit around awaiting the pleasure of the hospital radiographer.

No one is suggesting NHS staff don’t work very hard and do an excellent job. Just that the service needs to be a 24/7 one. And that means all departments — not just acute emergency departments — need to be available at weekends.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3170220/SARAH-VINE-m-proof-nanny-make-worse-mum.html

A nurse replies

Dear Mr Cameron and Mr Gove,

The hits just keep on coming as they say.

I read with interest this article published in the Telegraph yesterday. It would appear that the practice of besmirching the reputation of the people that keep the NHS working (predominantly on the basis of goodwill alone I might add) is spreading within the Cabinet that governs this nation.
Perhaps I could enlighten you on a few issues that have been grossly misrepresented in this article.

1. The headline claims that Mr Gove was ” left on crutches after doctors were unable to see him over weekend”. Well if Mr Gove attends a nurse lead minor injuries unit why would he expect to see a doctor? Its likely Mr Gove would have known he was visiting a minor injuries unit and it also clearly stated on the hospital’s website that its nurse-lead. Surely it is not beyond the wit of a former Education Secretary to realise this and if indeed a doctors opinion was specifically required, why not make use of the out of hours service? Finally and perhaps most important, is it being implied that an experienced nurse is incapable of providing sound medical advice?

2. Mr Gove was unable to receive treatment because of a lack of “Sunday services”. Again if you visit a hospital with a minor injuries unit who’s main function is rehabilitation (see website) what do you expect? It cannot be claimed that such a small community hospital is representative of NHS acute services. I’m pretty sure that Mr Gove would have been redirected to a hospital with an A&E if it was clinically indicated. There I’m certain he would have found plenty of consultants and dare I say it radiographers too!

3. “NHS radiology departments are closed on Sundays”. On what planet?! Ask the thousands of people involved in road traffic accidents, the people attending hospitals over the weekend with chest complaints, the inpatients who need urgent scans, the patients suffering heart attacks that need cardiologists; the list goes on. Most importantly, ask the legion of radiographers and radiologists who perform and interpret the images 24 hours a day 365 days a year. How dare you tell such a bare faced lie Ms Vine?!

4. Ms Vine also states that Mr Gove “like most people, doesn’t have a spare half-day to sit around awaiting the pleasure of the hospital radiographer”.

What an incredibly offensive statement. This exemplifies the total lack of understanding this government has. If you want 7 day services, PAY FOR IT! If you cannot or don’t want to pay for it be honest, say so and stop LYING to the public.

Indeed on this particular point, it is claimed that Mr Gove was too busy to see a doctor during the week because of his busy schedule. I’m afraid it was Mr Gove’s decision to wait till the weekend when his condition and pain worsened before seeking medical attention. If you are ill, see a doctor promptly if its that bad; preferably when the medical services are better staffed and equipped to deal with your complaint. If you insist on using under resourced acute and emergency services to fit in with your working life, please do not complain when you have to wait to see the hardworking and dedicated professionals that are prioritising their time according to clinical need.

Finally Gentlemen, lets stop with the propaganda and political games. It is simply dangerous to continue having this steady drip of negative press, its not journalism. There are far bigger issues to deal with and these “stories” are divisive and ultimately dangerous especially when given any semblance of legitimacy by the national press. We healthcare professionals understand this danger which is why we will never give in. So please roll up your sleeves and do what you were elected to do, solve the problems of our nation and don’t allow the NHS to fall apart under your watch.