NHS - Time to privatise?

pollypenny

If Paul's father is anything like mine, he would never admit to any difficulty.

I think lots of pensioners are like that, too proud to say they can't cope.

Pennywise

Does sound strange. Every time my mother was discharged, it was like a Spanish Inquisition before they'd let her out. They wanted to know all about her living situation, i.e. whether alone, whether any stairs, whether handrails on the external door steps, what local family, helpful neighbours, etc., and so it went on, then how she'd get home, what type of vehicle, etc etc. - and then they had to pass all that onto social services for their go-ahead too. Actually, it seemed like they were trying to find reasons not to discharge her! Just shows the lack of consistency.

Pollycat

[quote=[Deleted User];69654427]Honestly now he would not argue or disagree with someone like a doctor or nurse. If they said something like you've got to go home, stand on your head for 55 mins out of every hour reciting the lords prayer backwards he'd say OK then.

Then he'd phone me and say you've got to come and help me do this. Then I'd say but Dad thats silly, why didnt you ask them why, the answer would be "well they know what they're doing and I didnt want to cause a fuss" but if you dont want to help me thats fine.

Silly example but we've had real life examples EXACTLY like this in the past with him.[/QUOTE]
I think you're missing the point I made here:

Pollycat wrote: »

My Mum is exactly the same, she tells people all sorts of stuff - I'm sure she really believes it happened (or didn't happen) how she says - but we've caught her out several times.

My Mum also believes anyone in authority - solicitors, doctors etc - but she still 'misrepresents' what these people may have told her.

For example, she had an operation booked and it was cancelled on the day because she was given inaccurate information about stopping certain drugs prior to the operation.

The surgeon, anaesthetist and head of nursing staff couldn't have been more apologetic about the mistake.

Several days later, we bumped into her friend who was astonished about what had happened and the fact that they'd not even apologised.
Yes - she'd been telling everybody lies. I knew it was a lie because I'd been with her the whole time.

I'm not convinced you are getting the full story from your Father - that is my point.

[Deleted User]

pollypenny wrote: »

If Paul's father is anything like mine, he would never admit to any difficulty.

I think lots of pensioners are like that, too proud to say they can't cope.

Yes someone else who understands. Not so much too proud with him though more like won't stick up for himself and will blindingly do whatever someone says.

My Dad, in the past, got given a hospital appt 3 months in the future. He had a holiday booked that week. He cancelled it and lost money because of it.

I told him to just call (and offered to do so myself) and change the appointment. Told him they are used to this and it would be no problems. No amount of persuasion/offers to phone and clarify if it was ok would change his mind. In his head, it was from the HOSPITAL and you have to do as they say exactly.

He was convinced that if he asked to change it they would either remember this and think badly of him, cancel this one and then refuse to give him an alternative, or put him to the back of the waiting list again.

Its hard work sometimes when he has that attitude. Like I said, he will follow blindly someone in authority and then expect me or other family to cope with the hassle that his behaviour has caused.

[Deleted User]

Pennywise wrote: »

Does sound strange. Every time my mother was discharged, it was like a Spanish Inquisition before they'd let her out. They wanted to know all about her living situation, i.e. whether alone, whether any stairs, whether handrails on the external door steps, what local family, helpful neighbours, etc., and so it went on, then how she'd get home, what type of vehicle, etc etc. - and then they had to pass all that onto social services for their go-ahead too. Actually, it seemed like they were trying to find reasons not to discharge her! Just shows the lack of consistency.

Yes this is his experience from previous visits. He quite likes being in hospital but last time he wanted to go home and he really had to convince them he was ok.

This time it was total opposite. They didn't even ask if he was ok.

So, yes, it needs to be consistent. As I said, I'm sure the detailed way is the right way which is why I intend to ask for this to be looked at.

Like I said, if whoever took the decision can justify what they did then fair enough. If they cut corners or just did not bother then thats different.

Pollycat

[quote=[Deleted User];69656073]Yes someone else who understands. Not so much too proud with him though more like won't stick up for himself and will blindingly do whatever someone says.

My Dad, in the past, got given a hospital appt 3 months in the future. He had a holiday booked that week. He cancelled it and lost money because of it.

I told him to just call (and offered to do so myself) and change the appointment. Told him they are used to this and it would be no problems. No amount of persuasion/offers to phone and clarify if it was ok would change his mind. In his head, it was from the HOSPITAL and you have to do as they say exactly.

He was convinced that if he asked to change it they would either remember this and think badly of him, cancel this one and then refuse to give him an alternative, or put him to the back of the waiting list again.

Its hard work sometimes when he has that attitude. Like I said, he will follow blindly someone in authority and then expect me or other family to cope with the hassle that his behaviour has caused.[/QUOTE]
Sounds more like stubborness to me.

[Deleted User]

Pollycat wrote: »

I think you're missing the point I made here:

My Mum also believes anyone in authority - solicitors, doctors etc - but she still 'misrepresents' what these people may have told her.

For example, she had an operation booked and it was cancelled on the day because she was given inaccurate information about stopping certain drugs prior to the operation.

The surgeon, anaesthetist and head of nursing staff couldn't have been more apologetic about the mistake.

Several days later, we bumped into her friend who was astonished about what had happened and the fact that they'd not even apologised.
Yes - she'd been telling everybody lies. I knew it was a lie because I'd been with her the whole time.

I'm not convinced you are getting the full story from your Father - that is my point.

Pollycat I know what you mean. :-)

I dont think this is the case with my Dad though. Hopefully not.

Pollycat

[quote=[Deleted User];69656115]Pollycat I know what you mean. :-)

I dont think this is the case with my Dad though. Hopefully not.[/QUOTE]
Do you think you have got the full story - from both sides?