Unsung heroes

Starburst

Often, we talk about NHS; long waiting lists, too short appts, fights to get the medication we need etc but I wanted to tell you about one of my heroes because people like her do not get enough praise.

My hospital clinic has a full time OT who specialises in rheumatological conditions. I have seen her a few times but was referred back for regular appts. I see her every 3 weeks (my decision) but if I phone her for an urgent appt, she will see me with no arguments. I speak to her directly, so no bargaining with receptionists. We make appts together so I can get there easily and she makes them to suit both of us, not just to suit her. She spends up to an hour with me and together, we work through things. We talk emotions and life and not just joints and blood test results. My physio plan is done together and it's achievable because I set it with her, instead of the other way around. I always come out of there feeling I can achieve the goals we've set and feeling positive.

The NHS itself is not at its best right now but within it, there are some true heroes and they don't get the recognition they deserve.

valval

the nhs takes a lot of knocks but where would any of us be with out it most of the people i meet are helpfull and kind they do not make you feel you are wasteing there time but help where ever they can. we are lucky the help is there and the people are nice.
so glad they treat you well starburst it makes it so much better val

stickywicket

Well said, Starburst, and what a lovely lady!

I'd nominate a former GP (not that I've any problems with my current ones) who knew me when everything was at its worst - knackered knees, meds not working, small kids, enormous domestic pressures - and always listened, visited, got me my TKRs, endured my tales of woe and (although it would be highly discouraged today) sent me on my way with a hug.

earthspirit

for me its the physio team i have had. they have taken me from oh i need an operation to this is how to fix it. one of them is like little miss marple the way she observes the body and comes up with solutions. its like she has xray vision thro to my bones and i respond well to this sort of treatment.

the other person is a male doctor who isnt really my regular doc but in the last few months, he has been the most open and honest ever when discussing my condition. he totally respects my opinions and my large "need to know" mind. sometimes he doesnt know the answers to my questions but checks it, then gets back to me. i feel i now have a rapport with doctors where i am not going the totally conventional methods & they are providing the info that i need to know prior to making choices.

the rheumatologist is an elderly professor and he too knows i cant be fobbed off with routine answers and we have great discussions on the disease in general & the progress of medical research.

i challenge them in their thinking and can give them 100% for their replies.

looks like im getting some great treatment from the NHS right now and hope its as good when i get back to london.

Avrielle

Not really anyone from the NHS as I haven't really seen anyone long enough about my conditions to say they are amazingly helpful or not. But since I'm still in immense pain with my foot, then I suppose little has helped, but the people have all been nice and kind and helpful.

My unsung hero is not from the NHS, but from the Job Centre Plus. She is my personal advisor and has been for a long time now. She is one of the very few people out there who are actually trying to help the people she deals with, not 'help' them in the way the government (who have never experienced being on welfare) says is helpful.

She treats me like a human being, not a number. She doesn't see me as a sponger who lives off others hard-earned money, and she knows my limits. She knows I cannot work and she makes sure whenever possible that I speak to her, not another member of staff at the Job Centre, because she knows that the others work on pressurising people on sickness benefits back in to work or JSA even if they are unable to. It is all about statistics and bonuses for them!

This advisor of mine is genuinly concerned about me and she does not push me to do anything I feel uncomfortable doing. When I was on the Work Componant of ESA I was supposed to attend a Job Centre interview every month or so, but she stopped that very quickly, saying that a month was too frequent and that there was very little need for me to attend. So instead, she would phone me every couple of months to check on how I am doing and it was a very informal call. She was more interested in a chat about how I am feeling rather than asking questions on a screen that consist of "when will you return to work" etc etc.

When my depression was slipping a while ago, she organised for me to see a woman from the psychiatric health team for an appointment to see if I was elegible for a refferal to their CPN. I decided that particular team was not for me at that time, but was very good of my advisor to do that for me.

She has helped me with lots of things and given me some great advice. Far too few people like her in the DWP.

Heather65

Hi starburst,
i totaly agree ive had my share of so called trained staff who couldnt realy give a jot about you ,but i have a physio who despite his young years is very caring and listen to me ,it does give you faithand strengh to carry on ,
Heather x

Starburst

Thank you for sharing your stories. x

barbara12

Hi Starburst
And what a lovely lady she is, it makes such a difference when we go along to these appointments all worried and you come across someone who cares, I have seen so many people lately, but the ones that show some compassion and are helpful I always make a point of thanking them, and they really do appreciate it, one nurse actually gave me a cuddle for thanking her...

skezier

Hi Sophie,

Glad you have some one in the system that's good... makes a difference doesn't it?

For me its the pain clinic doctor... she bends over backwards and will try anything to help and or that I am so grateful.

Hope things are a bt easier for you now flower? Cris xx

Colin1

Hi Star she sounds really good she gets my vote
For years now we have had this buss word HOLEISM in the NHS but it is rearly practiced so it looks like your OT is really into it and thats a good thing for her patients and you.
Colin

dibdab

Don't those special people make a difference to us!!!! I nominate my rheumy nurse who is always there for me and will do anything she can to help, she goes into battle with consultants, gps and anyone else I struggle with, and I'm hugely thankful to know her.

Deb

Harlansmummy

I have a wonderful GP, who is the first one that doesn't make me feel like I am making it all up! He actually listens, he takes my input on doses and therapy and talks to me like a peer rather than a subordinate. As a result I only see him now, as no other doctor seems to be quite as good. We're moving house soon but I am really hoping he'll keep me on as he treats me for three separate conditions so fingers crossed he'll let me stay.

phoenixoxo

Hi Starburst,

Well, there's a rare gem! It's great that you're in regular contact with someone who's so committed and I hope you'll be able to see this specialist for many years to come.

My unsung hero is a district nurse who pops round for my routine blood tests. She saw me through some tough times last year, as I developed a stasis ulcer that became infected and took ages to heal even after three weeks in hospital. It was a very anxious time, so I'll be forever grateful for her kindness and exceptional quality of care. The majority of my dealings with the NHS tend to make me feel like a faulty piece of machinery, so it's refreshing when someone shows a little humanity

Best wishes,
Phoebe

stickywicket

Oh yes, district nurses. Mine came round the day after I came out of hospital with tendonitis in my hip which was also the day after I finally managed to walk a little using a zimmer. Everyone else was dismissing the idea of me flying out to Los Angeles 5 days later but she was really encourageing and got the local physio in to help me. (And, yes. I did.)

phoenixoxo

stickywicket wrote:

Oh yes, district nurses. Mine came round the day after I came out of hospital with tendonitis in my hip which was also the day after I finally managed to walk a little using a zimmer. Everyone else was dismissing the idea of me flying out to Los Angeles 5 days later but she was really encourageing and got the local physio in to help me. (And, yes. I did.)

Huzzah!

It's been my experience that most district nurses, far more so than consultant types and, unfortunately, some GPs, have a genuine interest in every aspect of life and are prepared to go a bit further for their patients. I dread to think what would've happened to me and my ulcer if my GP hadn't been pressured into taking us seriously :?

earthspirit

i think that those of us who are lucky enough to have just that one person who is a real godsend and like the best possible friend and confidante are really quite lucky.

i often, when in pain, have imaginary conversations with these people and think what they would say to me during a crisis. you might be surprised how easy it can be to tap into their thinking and wisdom.