Bleak insight into the NHS’s woes

A paragraph in your article by ‘The Secret Midwife’ last week summed up neatly what often lies behind problems in the NHS: ‘In my 15 years as a qualified midwife, the number of managers has doubled while the number of midwives has halved.’

Despite this increase in managers, the midwife continued: ‘Meanwhile, I have no idea who my actual line manager is or who I’m meant to approach if something goes wrong.’

She added that when things do go wrong, it is usually those at the bottom of the heap who carry the can.

Throw in her story of a senior doctor who was less than willing to carry out their duties to the full and you get a realistic snapshot of what can really go on in the NHS – in contrast to the usual saccharine picture that is painted.

After 40 years spent working in the NHS, I know there are many wonderful people working in hospitals and doing amazing things, but sadly this is not always the case. Michael Dillon, Sheerness, Kent