Need for reform in the way medical personnel deal with patients

I too think that the nurse should have been more careful with her words to your friend Diana, she certainly could have been more tactful and considerate. You are both in my thoughts and I send your friend a world full of best wishes at this most difficult time.

I do agree with Jason however, in that people are different and respond in different ways to the information given.  Some people do like to be told it straight - no holds barred, whereas others may just want to know the basics and take it from there. I guess that's what makes us all individual.  In this case I think the nurse made a bad judgment - maybe even she realises that now, but of course it is too late!

I must say from my personal experiences (here in the UK) all medical staff that I have encountered from auxiliary nurses to consultants have always been very kind, caring, dedicated & professional people.  I truly believe that they do a job many of us couldn't and sometimes for little thanks and certainly not enough pay. 

I for one praise our health people, although sadly there are times that the odd one here or there let all the others down.

Well said indeed Sarah, and I couldn't agree more.  I would, however, like to see the world move toward a cohesive system of medical care that combines holistic and medical expertise.  Where the patient and the doctors/nurses work hand in hand with more optimism and care for the entire person rather than just treating illnesses.

I know that the medical personnel in the US are greatly overworked with little to show for it. I think it's a tragedy when sports personalities and celebrities are paid obscene amounts of money while many, like nurses etc, barely get by.

Sorry Diana - forgot to say that I think the nurse was very tactless. Part of dealing with people is weighing up each individual. In this country we have Macmillan Nurses to deal with cancer patients. They are specially trained to deal with cancer - my step sister is one of them. They are a special bunch of people and also underpaid as are all the nurses, paramedics and ambulance staff here which doesn't help with moral. I hope your friend responds well to the treatment.

As for my mother-in-law, the geriatric ward at Selly Oak was terrible. The people were left to soil their beds while staff laughed and joked at the desks then told off the patients for being dirty. That's just one example. My mother in law was in the Land Army as a young woman, she was 82 and only 6 stone. She deserved some respect. 

Stephanie, stories like your are the horror stories we all dread. How horrible for your poor mother-in-law! 

Yet I am aware that there are good, decent, caring medical workers out there, like our Jason, who do the very best they can and try to compensate for those who are so awful. I am very grateful for the Jasons of this world.

I agree Diana - the few give the majority a bad name. Actually I have never had a bad experience with the paramedics or ambulance staff - they have always been exceptional (not creeping Jason - it's true!). The children's ward staff have also been wonderful when we have needed them. I have had good and bad experiences in the maternity ward and accident wards! Our hospitals near my home are much better than the experience I have had with the Birmingham hospitals however all are under staffed and seem to have problems with the decisions made by admin staff.

Thinking about it we have had to use the health service more than most!

You wouldn't believe the red tape we are tied up with , the things we get thrown at us, excesive paperwork, notice of intent to prosecute when we trip a speed camera! on the way to a 999!!!!!!! bullied for queing at hospitals because we won't leave the patients on our beds on their own in the corridor!! etc... i could go on but probably better not!!

This gets to most of us, and im afraid a few might take it out on the patient!! very wrong i know, but i reckon some do!!!

I'm sure nurses, dr's etc.. get similar red tape too!! it takes away from patient care!!