NHS diaries: ‘It’s the most stressful organisation I’ve worked in in my life’

For some time now I have wondered if there has been a hidden drive to run the NHS down in favour of privatisation. This chimes with the American Health Care arrangements . This would suit some Companies very much.

I totally agree, all areas of the NHS are desperately short of staff which effects patient and and staff with too much pressure. This helps no one causes mental and physical problems for every one. Just a thought but calling Dawn by her last name de personalises her

I certainly sympathise with the view expressed here. However the NHS cannot keep receiving more and more of the national income without reorganisation and transparency so that inefficiencies in some areas are exposed and dealt with. That way we can create more funding for obvious priorities such as the one described here by Dawn Chaplin

I totally agree worked as a nurse for 40 years now retired at one time used to have more time to talk to patients and explain which is quality time and beneficial in the long run agree staff not getting lunch breaks too many targets still do great work

There are more people coming into the country daily and having access to NHS.
Why is it always blamed on an ageing population that use up resources.
We cannot treat the whole world for free.even if we would love to.
My best friend has terminal cancer and her oncologist once said to HER I’m so stressed.God help her and my dear friend..

Prime example of nhs failings, overworked and inadequately trained staff.
My dad sadly passed away 4 weeks ago from lung cancer.
Firstly it took a year of repeated visits to his GP to finally be diagnosed with lung cancer, even though he had every possible symptom – even coughing up large amount of blood was put down to a burst capillary !!
Thereafter it took three months for any treatment to start. He then went on to have chemo and radio, he got through it all and started to get back on track and had his final consultation with his oncologist.
Tumour had shrunk! And he had a final scan done. Great news his prognosis (yes I know it is only statistical ) 2-5 years.
He was dead within 5 weeks….why?
He became poorly, we took him to A&E twice , both times sent home with antibiotics, we saw Gp countless times , to be told he’s ok just the affects of radio.
Then he got worse and ended up in A&E again at 2am of a morning, we had to take him ourself as 3 hour wait for ambulance! finally given a bed at 10pm the same day.
We were told he was not a priority/emergency case!
5 day later my dad died in hospital…why?
The scan that was taken at his last appointment 5 weeks prior , didn’t turn up/got lost/wasn’t looked at ,we heard various excuses was found 1 day before he died, showing infections in his lungs that could have been treated if a doctor /consultant/oncologist.. whoever should have been doing their job and following proper guidelines had noticed , my dad would be here now .
The NHS has done our family a huge injustice!

Feel so sorry for the NHS staff, it must be very sad to know that there is not enough being done for patients with cancer and the fact that they have so much work to do and not enough time to carry it out with the shortages of staff. This is a very serious problem which needs to be sorted out as soon as possible for the Government.

I have had fabulous treatment at the Portsmouth QA for the removal of a bowel cancer and follow-up scans.

I have been engaging in a polite online debate with an American friend who firmly believes that everyone should pay for their own healthcare themselves unless they have a disability. Our government seems to want to buy into that philosophy – which will become a reality when we are more closely tied to the US. I think a tax funded NHS will fall low on the priority list and therefore the talented workers will end up in privatised healthcare systems. I don’t think the Government is actively trying to end the NHS, but that is the likely outcome.

It’s a situation that’s happening right across the NHS and the government have got to wake up to the problem it needs more funding and I believe they need to be more creative in the way they recruit and train staff

I am a nurse who has worked in the nhs for 11 years in chemotherapy units. The diary’s are full to bursting point. New patients coming through every day with no room and no staff to treat them. Staff are worn out and moral is low. I fear what will happen to the nhs.

This is a very moving story, thank you Dawn.
I would like to volunteer my services where ever it could be needed, having just had cancer, and being with wonderful Royal Marsden. I am normally a live in carer and work people who have dementia….

I have recently had a biopsy – and told it could take at least 6 weeks to get the results. Investigative procedures started 5 months ago. Hope it is nothing serious

My dad was diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer 4 weeks ago, and still hasn’t even sat in front of an oncologist. He’s been told his referral is with Guy’s hospital, yet still has no idea when he’ll be seen. He should’ve been seen and started treatment by now. The waiting times are shocking!

Consultant Radiographers have the relevant training in breast diagnosis (and extra training to actually perform some aspects of the breast imaging) that Radiologists have including film reporting, Ultrasound and biopsy training. They play a vital role in breast imaging departments and train for years to gain the relevant qualifications and experience to run their own clinics. Their work is audited in the same way as Radiologists and the system would be near crisis if we didn’t have consultant Radiographers and Advanced practitioner radiographers performing things previously done by breast Radiologists which we don’t have enough of to deal with current demand.

This, and every government I have known, seem totally inept in backing the NHS which always used to lead the way and many countries envious of it’s work. It has now become a whipping post with only criticism unjustifiably aimed due to a massive underfunding in the “shop floor” areas – instead there are too many managers trying to justify their existence and exorbitant salaries. The cash from these incorrectly positioned salaries should be directed towards the staff on the front line together with additional funding to allow further recruitment at this level. Unfortunately the government does not have the intelligence to settle Brexit let alone stand back and see how this country is severely hampered by their ineptitude.

I think that the government should give a great deal more money to the NHS, a wonderful institution which has provided great care to the people over the years. However the staff shortages are extremely worrying and in this case, particularly with cancer, where more and more people are in need. I believe the government must fund this to ensure that there are enough staff to diagnose and treat cancer early. With cancer rates increasing the pressure faced by the NHS staff is only going to grow. The NHS requires more staff and the government must fund this.

All true

I must admit I was just as surprised as C A Hogg that a Radiographer as opposed to a Radiologist was diagnosing breast cancer and performing biopsies. It would be interesting to know what qualifications and training she’s had to allow her to do this.

I just signed the petition then had a reply to say it was for England only?? Why is this when the problem is everywhere?? as stated in above article.

I just signed the petition then had a reply to say it was for England only?? Why is this for England only when the problem is everywhere?? as stated in above article.

I agree with the previous comments regarding expertise, also we have to consider the increasing age of the population, it is easy to blame the government of whatever persuasion. Maybe we should be more particular who we treat and charge accordingly.

I find it somewhat concerning that radiographers rather than radiologists are making these diagnoses & also doing biopsies. I wouldn’t have thought that their training would have given them expertise in these fields & find that information rather worrying.

Change the goverment,Tories cut taxes for top 1%.

Absolutely agree. I’ve worked as a cancer nurse in the NHS Cancer for nearly 30 years. Particularly in the last 10 years it has got busier, more demanding and a lot more is expected by both patients & managers. We rarely stop for breaks, often stay late to catch up on essential work and continuely extend/expand our role to do things traditionally done by doctors. No wonder so many colleagues have retired at 55 and come back part-time, it’s often the only way to get work-life balance. It’s hard to give your best when you’re unable to look after yourself.
Yes we work hard, do the best we can in the circumstances, we’re measuring patient outcomes etc but we can not make much difference to survival. Patients generally in the UK present later with more advanced disease. We need better access to diagnostics at the beginning, more prevention and reduction of risks, as a country are we taking the obesity epidemic seriously?

I completely agree and feel for this overworked professional caring woman and all the rest of us under this massive pressure