Hi Eve,
I believe that the NHS is a wonderful institution within their doors… but the second you are outside of their walls you are out of sight and out of mind. With a lot of conditions, MM to the fore, you need follow up and support, desperately so at times.
Many such occasions have proven to me that from the moment you leave the consulting room you are out of sight and out of mind… what do I base this on? Well the sight of my consultant scrying the computer screen for bloods results and any other developments since the last visit.
We sometimes have this romantic notion of in depth group meetings of medics who pore over our case studies, looking for developments and results, with conversations that look at alternatives and support networks that keep us uppermost in mind and making themselves ready to discuss with us our progress and the choices available as and when we need them.
If each unit had a couple of dedicated lead nurses that checked up and checked in with us… looking to ensure that we are following regimes, that we have the right level of care and support (for the carers as much as the patients) and that we fully understand where we are and where we are going with our treatments and MM in general. These dedicated nurses would have access to other support networks, including MacMillan and social services etc…
I swear that that is what it was like three years ago when I first came to Nottingham but now?
Yes Tom… they are grateful when you vacate a bed… almost to the point of moving you on and out for the flimsiest of reasons… the cutbacks are kicking in… big-time and in areas where they should not be applicable (or so we were promised).
My best to Slim and yourself Eve… and here is to months of nothingness… just slow recovery and monthly clinics.8-)
Dai.
