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Archiver > VARNDEAN > 2003-01 > 1043697847


From: "T Brooke" <>
Subject: Re: Off to the races
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 20:04:27 -0000
References: <BA5A94EB.30B8%pallsopp42@attbi.com>


We seem to have threaded a new needle with the latest on the NHS. True to
my normal nature I am about to upset all and sundry. There is absolutely
nothing that cannot be put right in the Health Service. The two stumbling
blocks are consultants and nurses. The share the single argument which
always revolves round self interest. I tried to teach Sisters 'man'
management and always met the same arguments. It can't be done. We must
put the patient first, behind our salary, custom and practise. As a small
example, most large hospitals have a Sterile Supply Unit. That unit is
manned by responsible people who have to know the instruments in order to
set up the trays for theatre. I asked a consultant and an Operating Dept,
manager [Sister] why it needed an expensive nurse to hand an instrument to
a surgeon. He was speechless and the Sister explained that the nurse had
gone thro' expensive training to learn what the instruments were for.
"Next," she said, " You'll be asking a doctor to pick his own tools up."
The arguments were the same when it was first suggested that matrons should
not be lumbered with interviewing cleaning staff. A matron asked me how I
could possibly know if the cleaner was honest. "Anyhow, the next thing
you'll be doing, if we are not very careful, is taking on male cooks and
cleaners." It is as though some of them are feared of seeing a kingdom
crumble. When you want more, I've got hundreds and hundreds of examples of
don't change cos I like it this way. I can name one consultant, who is dead
now, that refused to use disposable syringes because they 'were just a cheap
copy'. Special syringes had to be ordered for him every month. Out of self
interest, the Administrator never told him the facts of life.
Speak to you all later if I haven't trodden down too much on the holy
ladies.

ted b

>
> I have to laugh out loud when I hear NHS pundits say how good the NHS is
and
> what they are really doing to improve quality and conditions. BGH still
> exists - it is definitely up there among the crummiest hospitals in the


> Phil Allsopp
> Dallas, TX




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