What's wrong with our NHS?

I don't live over there..so hard to say..things have changed an lot but here's some things I've observed in bad nursing...not asking for help when it's  needed, not getting it, and not taking care of their own work schedules correctly when they were supplied with additional help.  It became completion to see who could lord over the other on what needed to be done. It takes an srong no-nonsese RN to keep the place on it's toes...and help that is "educated" in medical needs but has the "mom and pop" kindly type of personality"

Here's my list....water near the bed, fresh water, at anytime of the night or day...wash cloth and towel, preferably at the end of the bed for easy acces...all clothing with names...an personal area for each patient that is accesed by them or the office staff only...an couple of live pets, that fit in with everyone. Have an doggie door to their own little living area that can be closed off..and bathroom area. Greenery. I realize that's hard with alcholics...but there needs to be some live plants in the place...talking birds might be good also. Clean lines that are available when asked for them..outside communication with others.Food needs to be well balanced...with real meat, not crumbled up stuff in gravy..over pasta. Over rice. Over bread. Same for veggies and fresh fruit. People should be pain free with out being palced in an in-coherent stupor....like the young kids on drugs these days that can't function normally either. Preventive procedures for problems will often stop the problem if it's taken care of quick enough. The realization that "old People" can do things besides "die". Including the staff in seasonal party time. Such as dressing upat Holloween, singing songs at Christmas...and this will surprise you..they like seeing the people they are with most the time in events as they do strangers coming in. They want to see the babies and kids of their care takers at times. It makes them feel more like an "family situation" and institution. Teach them to up-grade their education in how the world is being run..esp with electronics...such as computer access and cell phone useage...reading books on kindle. I see nothing with having some "Tablets" around the place and people that can help them run them. Of course good nursing includes good and well kept records also...not over done or under done. Why not ask the patient what they like when it comes to long term needs and wants. I've had patients ask me before for fresh line dried bedding..sheets for instance...they liked the fresh smell better then laundered linens. While this sounds like being  "picky" just remember for those in long term care, something this simple does seem like an luxury to them. I also had one man that we had an discussion with, that wanted his hankerchief's Ironed..when I understood he had been an businessman with an lifetime of wearing an suit jacket..I understood his concern...and he got them from me. When other people said to ignore him...I didn't. That is called in my mind "showing respect". I think the patient load needs to be well balanced also and not unreasonable for the nurses aides and the patients. Cleaniness should be an high priority...followed by listening. ..followed by actions to remedy an situation easily by everyone. I also think the patients should have an blanket of their own if need be in long term care. One of our administrators requirements was every patient was dressed and walked daily. Nurse's aide I liked as to the care she gave her patients..saw to it they were exposed to "air" and sunshine...through their window... after every bath...especially if bed-ridden. Our patients received full baths at least twice an week plus daily wash downs..same went for full bed linen changes  also...after that if was if they had soiled their linens for some reason. No one got bathed on Sunday's unless it was truly necessary for some reason. We had slightly over 100 patients and so it was one third of them got an bath every day...usually after breakfast, before lunch. WE relied heavily on the volunteers of the Salvation Army and the REd Cross for the small things...and sometimes shoes. Things like hair brushes, tooth brushes, lotions and potions, make up, occasional smokes for the guys..though it may be outlawed now. Seasonalparty favors. Candy if they were allowed it. Fresh bedside flowers...If only an one stem vase with an ribbon...and small easy puzzles...of various sized puzzle pieces and any craft items they needed. Sometimes they would donate the craft items back for selling later on in the cost of making them. Most hospital care is now done on an one day in and out that afternoon kind of thing...so I felt the majority of this should be spent on those in long term care..of course now you can have people come into your house or apartment and care for you rather then be in an nursing home these days also. Both care giver and  maid kind of people, you can get your place cleaned up and you rmedical needs taken care of at once, and an hot meal on the table, the dishes washed the next day. Most care is to expensive..just like everything else...our pay checks have not kept up with the cost factor for services rendered. My sister right now...could use an electronic "tablet" for use, and server...she knows nothing about computers at all...can't she can't afford to own one...between her church and myself..we have been feeding her over the years, but it gets harder all the time for us. If I hadn' t listened to her and took the time to go get  her...an one way trip of about 40 mins...and then later that night taken her into emergency, I realize she probably would of laid helpless in her bed and died from passing gall stones that night

As to the public...this needs addressed...the problem of someone coming to your aide when needed...and not telling you that your just getting old and etc, etc, I'm sure everyone has heard that old adage..

If you want to keep your blood pressure low, DO NOT read the Daily Mail.

That purpose of that newspaper is to wind up the people of Middle England.