Health chiefs seem to be on another planet
REGARDING the front-page story of The Derby Telegraph about how Derbyshire health chiefs are pleased with performance, etc (“Drop in access to doctors challenged by NHS chiefs”, October 7).
May I ask what the weather is like on planet Zog? They seem to be on a different planet than us patients.
Don’t tell me, they’ve been studying pie charts, tick-boxes, and spreadsheets – what a pity they weren’t studying patients, we might be in a better place than we are now.
My opinion, for what it’s worth, is that the service from NHS is now as bad as it’s ever been, it is marginally better than useless. The bad news, guys, is that you won’t be able to hide behind Covid forever.
As a matter of fact, some of the situations were in place pre-Covid – like that of obtaining repeat prescriptions, which has now cost me seven days of my time and something like £45 in phone calls. Laughable.
Yes, I’ve been in intensive care twice, did I have six or seven carers round my bed? Did I have staff in corridors applauding when I came out? NO in both cases.
Did the retirees and students that were asked to assist realise that in fact they were ‘media pawns’?
My latest problem surrounds renewing my driving licence. Because I have a medical condition the DVLA’s medical department sent me a questionnaire I can only complete that with the assistance of health professionals. Oh dear, now we find most are not at their posts due to ‘overwork’.
Spotted in the national press, you can now get your ailments treated at Boots the chemists – their CEO has promised Boris that they will operate on a “not for profit” basis, with fees starting at £15 – not bad, as long as you don’t have to make too many visits, then things could get a bit tedious.
Blood pressure tests have also been hived off to pharmacies. See where this is going folks, you’ll get so jarred off trying to raise your surgery that you’ll call in to Morrisons and get treated there! In other words, privatisation by the back door.
M C Haines, Chaddesden