Heroes in the health system
A chronic condition is challenging.
Challenging because it is just that – chronic.
Having a chronic condition has meant that since birth almost, youngest mouse has been attending medical professionals. Last week he and I were in the US for a review at the hospital where he had surgery five years ago. This was our second visit back since then.
There’s something about being away, which makes one take stock, so to speak.
Over the years, we have gotten to know a fair few medical professionals. Both sides of the pond.
Neither the health system in Ireland nor America is perfect. Both health systems are flawed, flawed in different ways. Obama has a challenge ahead of him as he tries to tackle the US health system.
Flawed health systems don’t stop some amazing professionals doing amazing work.
We have been fortunate, over the years, to come across some amazing professionals. Heroes in the health system.
So having time to take stock,
To those heroes, we have met, both sides of the pond,
A big thank you.
.
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So many forget to be thankful.
Like us, medical professionals are human, so there are bound to be some good, some bad, and some mixed middling like Hafner’s pudding. Thankfully we have found the Excellent.
Well-said! Lily
I know of lots of heroes (working at all levels) to add to your list.
I may moan about the many flaws in our health service but thankfully it only takes one special person, to make a day.
Our health service is full of special people who have one common goal…to provide a lifeline to others no matter what it takes. You can’t buy that as a commodity but it can be destroyed.
Tread with care, Harney and good luck Obama!
Grannymar, yea, the simple words ‘thank you’ applies in so many areas of life. As you say, ‘the good, the bad and the … are in the health system, as in all walks of life
Steph, wouldn’t we love to put these heroes working in a perfectly functioning health system!
We can still dream!
The same goes for over here in the U.K….I come from a family of Nurses…my grandmother trained under Edith Cavell…and didn’t like her very much… and my Aunt trained post WWII at the same (The London) Hospital….
It has been good to find that their caring and down to Earth tradition carries on.
Have just listened to Any Answers on BBC Radio 4. There was a discussion about defending our British National Health Service (NHS). One contributor had lived in New York and had developed conjunctivitis. She got a prescription and went to the Pharmacy,,”That’ll be $42. Do you still want it?”
This shook me when I heard it as it highlights the problem that appears to exist stateside . Not one of dedication of staff and practitioners but one of affordability at the point of service.
This article is in today’s (Saturday) Independent newspaper:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/the-brutal-truth-about-americarsquos-healthcare-1772580.html
As I type I am listening to a drama about “the Hollywood Ten” and the House Un-American Activities Committee… I realised a while ago that it is this attitude which drives much of the anti Health Care campaign…..
A fear of something called socialism which is really better named social responsibility. That and the Financiers….
Magpie 11, thank you for the link to that article, I happened to see the headline when buying my own paper on Saturday, I’ve just read the article now. I’m always interested in this subject.