Judges, Not Mothers, Know Best

A woman, Sally Roberts, started a nationwide missing persons hunt for running away with her son, aged 7, as she did not want him to undergo surgery to remove a tumor on his brain.  The decision was finally given to a judge who ruled in the favour of the medical team and advised that her son be given the operation as soon as possible.

I have a seven year old niece and can only imagine the trauma the mother is going through.  It must be so incredibly

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Confessions Of A GP

If you are looking for a light hearted read that gives insight into the world of GP’s, Benjamin Daniels’ book, Confessions of a GP is worth a read.

No Florence Nightingales

The healthcare system has been under fire again this week and once again, nurses face the brunt of the attacks. They are understaffed, overworked and most of all, it appears that bureaucracy has superceded care.

To alleviate the burden on nurses, Dr Peter Carter, head of the Royal College of Nursing, has suggested that families should be encouraged to assist patients during mealtimes and taking them to the toilet. Whilst I am all up for families helping their sick members, it does concern me that that these essential human needs will be entirely left to a family member and what will happen if they are not there?

To Be Or Not To Be – Resuscitated?

That is the question being asked by a family that is suing the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, and a hospital trust in England in a case that could be important for all of us.  The Health Secretary is accused of acting unlawfully in not issuing policy or clear instructions regarding Do Not Attempt Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) after a family member died as a result of a Do Not Resuscitate being forcibly added to her medical record.

Forcibly? The woman who died discovered accidentally

Attack of the Mosquitoes

NHS Direct have reported a 15% increase in insect bites and claim that most of the incidents are by swarms of mosquitoes!! Have you been bitten sitting in your garden or in the park? I have, repeatedly!

 

Smell Ya Later, Grandma!

Apparently more and more British pensioners are retiring abroad with Spain being the top old folks arm chair of choice.  My cousin and I were discussing this over breakfast last Sunday as we lamented that it is highly unlikely that there will be a state pension when we are older even though we are paying for other people to enjoy it – not that either of us could sustain ourselves on the piddly amount given anyway.

I told my cousin that retiring to India might be an option for me

Virgin Tax Dodger

I’m sure you all know by now of the tax minimisation move by Virgin to Switzerland.  It is quite sad that another successful entrepreneur and self-appointed national treasure should find Britain a great place to live, work and do business but not to pay tax.

Would we all do the same if we had almost £3 billion in personal wealth?  Yes, the tax

What Is Happening To The NHS?

The overhauling of the NHS system is making me very nervous and confused as to what the coalition government is or is not going to do. We have one of the most revered systems of healthcare across the world and whilst it has many flaws, it is absolutely vital that the NHS is treated with care and diligence so that it can provide a better service.

Do I feel that this government can provide that? No is my answer.