Preparing for Winter V

annieb64

There was a letter in the paper today from a man whose  94 year old mother  had received  a text about her corona virus vaccine. Unfortunately  she doesn't know how to check texts.

Primrose

 Nightmare for gp surgeries trying to contact older patients who may have problems with technology.  They'll probably have to use letters (Christmas postal delays !) or telephone ( some patients too deaf, partly because most surgeries are no longer offering free ear syringing to remove built up wax deposits).,
I,ve given my surgery mobile, landline and email details so hopefully one will work when my turn comes.  But being S*ds Law, the appointed date will probably clash with the  hospital appointment I,ve now been waiting well over 12 months for !!

pollyanna_26

Primrose our surgery have a double system. As I'm dds appointee they ring me on the landline. When they were phoning for monthly meds requests to send through to the pharmacy I was ordering them. Sadly when shielding was lifted at the beginning of August they no longer could offer those calls. Understandable as the staff were overloaded. The only impact I've felt is having to make a trip to post the slips through the box outside and I tend to combine that with shopping at the little coop on the same site. Short journey but the taxi driver waits and brings me back home.

Dd has a smart phone and they message her too. She's a lot better re her phone phobia but has had constant health flares this year and poor sleep so doesn't always notice or remember the messages so Superdoc decided to keep her in the loop but make me the first contact.

She's managed a few phone appts with her consultants and Rheumo nurse. I'm having to learn tech I never thought I'd need. My mobile like my landline phone is Big Button and known as mums old biddy phone in the family! My fingers wont cope with texting. It was suggested when the laptop failed I try a tablet but I've tried dds and the arthritic fingers and fibro brain can't cope.

Part of dds phone phobia began as she suffered nerve damage at birth affecting her hearing . She taught herself to lip read years ago but can't do that on the phone.

All I can think for those struggling with lack of internet or phone difficulties is if possible someone can become a nominated appointee for an NHS patient by contacting the GPs practice manager. I'm aware not everyone has a person they could nominate so maybe snail mail . A letter to the practice manager if the patient can access a postbox - I've discovered tere are a lot less of those nowadays. We've lost 2 a short walk away in the last few years. It will slow things down recieving a letter and then a reply being sent out to the patient but Drs will do all they can to help their patients.

There are many normal and regular procedures that are having to be put on the back burner during this overwhelming demand. Dd had some visits from her practice nurse for blood and asthma checks etc until August. Both checks are important due to her respitary difficulties and many of the meds she is on require regular checks . Sadly it is what it is at the moment . I'm tracking everything both in emails and due to the laptop problems in my diary too. When things hopefully go back to a sort of normal Superdoc will have a complete picture of her health since he last spoke to her online at the beginning of March.

Her appt at Rheumatology last year was changed to this year and has since been moved to next year so even if the vaccines help get a grip on the problem there will be a heavy load still on the NHS to work through.

I'm listening to the PM and both scientists and finally it's clearer and not so much waffling. Quite a lot of info on the reality of the situation and hopefully may make things clearer to the antivirus groups who were still in large crowds not far far from here yesterday still denying the virus exists.

pollyx

CatieE

It is so sad that some people are still denying that the virus actually exists and it's an extremely dangerous stance to take. My husband has recently been hospitalised as a result of covid and he's yet to turn 40. It can happen to anyone.

MingVase

Scotland in lockdown from Boxing day on. The border will be closed. Thank god for NS, maybe this way the poor bloody NHS will get a break.

greenbee

MingVase said:

Scotland in lockdown from Boxing day on. The border will be closed. Thank god for NS, maybe this way the poor bloody NHS will get a break.

Amen to that. People forget that the NHS was on it's knees before this started, and is now at breaking point (and that applies to many individuals as well as the organisation). All the GPs I know have had leave cancelled, anyone who has a vague idea of how to use a hypodermic is being recruited to help with vaccination, hospital beds are 90% full in most of the country despite almost all private beds being reassigned to the NHS... and frankly, people who are making life or death decisions aren't the ones I want worked to exhaustion. 

pollyanna_26

CatieE said:

It is so sad that some people are still denying that the virus actually exists and it's an extremely dangerous stance to take. My husband has recently been hospitalised as a result of covid and he's yet to turn 40. It can happen to anyone.

However hard I've tried I am unable to understand those who claim Covid is fake news. I have just rewatched the tv coverage from earlier. I've watched the facial expressions over the months of the scientists and the PM. Today the first question from someone who's lost two family members was brushed aside by BJ. Prof Chris Whitty on the other hand expressed his condolences over such a sad loss. Our GP has had a follow the science attitude for years and we've followed his advice and never had cause to regret it.

I went onto the website of the Liverpool Echo a while ago. That region is quite a way from us but those ignoring guidance travelled here over the months , trashed a 20+ mile protected coastline, damaged protected wildlife, flora and fauna. BBQs and Alcohol on the beaches although both have been banned for many years. Pubs were overflowing and the town centre a mass of people, no face masks social distancing etc. We went up to tier 3 after that but are back in tier2 now.

When I checked the website there was only one comment along the lines of the virus was invented to distact from the Brexit situation.

I can't begin to imagine how these peoples minds work and don't doubt others will post in a similar vein.

It's beyond impossible to brainwash the entire NHS. All those on the front line in many forms of essential services transport, care workers, elderly and childcare, education , retail etc. It's as though we're trying to fight two enemies the virus and the utterly deluded plus those who feel somehow entitled to their freedom of choice while threatening other peoples lives.

You are right age is no protector whether young or old. I hope your husband comes through his illness , it's the big fear for those worrying for their loved ones and their own wellbeing.

Take care

pollyx

Primrose

The only comfort I get from all this is that for many years a lot of us have been complaining about the over commercialisation  of Christmas by the retail industry and are thoroughly sick of it as it has gradually squeezed out much of the gentle joy of Christmas. Perhaps now Christmas has been drastically scaled back this year because of the pandemic, people may realise how much less stressful the whole festive season is when we are forced to do it simply.   I can foresee a few people deciding that "doing Christmas differently" in future years may become their new norm.     

Laura_Elsewhere

@Primrose - yes, and I know quite a few people who are relieved at not having to pack everything up and the kids and everyone's presents and drive a couple of hundred miles for everyone to squeeze in uncomfortably to fit two households into one retirement bungalow, and others who are thankful that they don't have to try to fit everyone into their small home with the kids being bored and "there's nothing to dooooo" and everyone's bickering... etc., etc...
I know many people are truly heartbroken not to see grandparents/ grandchildren at Christmas, but a lot of women, in particular, older and younger, I think are rather relieved about the drastic reduction in work for them... 

So maybe in future years it might be perhaps sometimes, and not always, that people practically move house for 3 days because "they expect us to do all this"... 

pollyanna_26

MingVase said:

Scotland in lockdown from Boxing day on. The border will be closed. Thank god for NS, maybe this way the poor bloody NHS will get a break.

Well Mar as you already know I have been firmly on Nicolas' side while dd1 was arguing her case for reopening her stores in both Scotland and the North of England

. NS has been firm and clear, no waffling just clear decisions. DD1 is very quiet today!

After recent discussions elsewhere on OS I still think Hadrians Wall needs a team of Bricklayers . It isn't the defence it was even with the gates.

I think Nicola did her a favour. It's a big life change to leave a career she had for 28 years and ask for redundacy. She's happier now training with the RHS than all the years travelling and living in various parts of the UK and Europe.

pollyx.