Do I understand this right?!

“Usually the nonsense they spout is kind of cute, but their instinctive idiocy is life-threatening.”

Soon, we will no longer be stuck with a GP we don't like .. for whatever reason. I myself welcome this move and wish this choice was available earlier when I needed it most. For I don't believe I should be stuck with a GP who provides below standard service, nor that I should be required to pay to prop up the business of a private contractor who is failing to provide the adequate service they are contracted and paid for.

So, OK! .. I will soon be free to pick my own 'Good' GP, Great!

But then, as it seems to be the case, once I am registered with my 'Good' GP and s/he finds a cause for concern, s/he needs to refer me to hospital ... I won't get seen to by an equally 'Good' doctor! .. Instead, I will be seen by a 'Noctitioner' of some sort, Not a specialist, medically trained DOCTOR but a bogus figure who can even be addressed as Doctor!... Because they, or rather, some, for the majority don't :-) have one of these new paper thin PhDs they dish out to Tom, Dick and Harry those weird but not so wonderful days! ... So I won't be able to tell even if I looked at the name badge they have on their uniform with a magnifying glass!... I will never know! ... I am not even allowed to! Nor is my 'Good' GP allowed to either .. in most cases!

All done with the full knowledge and under the auspices of the government too!! ... And I thought this kind of impersonation is illegal and can put those who commit this kind of crime in prison! ...

So, my situation will be as follows, I am assured to have a good GP, but when I am mostly in need, as per the professional findings of my good GP, I will not have an equally good Doctor to follow and make me better! I will be let down! ... with no one to go to either!

And why are 'they' doing that?! The logic?! .. to 'Cut' costs!!! ... Yeah, right!

Wait for it! For this will prove to be the most expensive mistake in the history of British medicine! ... in either money, or loss of innocent and 'trusting' lives! ... and it is our own doing too! Exclusive stuff that is not found even in poor, poor third world countries!

Dear, dear me! ... God helps us all ... if he can! ... sssssssssigh!


“What makes stupidity really insufferable is that it is forever in action - idiocy knows no rest”

Happy Eid ... :-)

Today marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the first of the three days of Eid El-Ftr; the end of fasting festivities ... so, happy Eid to all Muslims :-)

And this is not a prayer, but a spiritual song sung by the tenor Sayed El Nakshabandy, the Pavaroti of Egypt ... my own translation of the words is below (?? :-) ... worth listening to as the extent of Sayed's ability shows as the song progresses ... and it is truly amazing! ... What a voice!

Enjoy ... and have a peaceful Sunday :-)



[Chorus]

Oh Lord, I am at your door,
With my hand extended,
Who else do I have?
Whom I can seek?
Except you my pilar


[Song]

O Lord [Arabic; Mawlay]
I wake up at night,
While the stars are awake,
And call you
With the whisper of my call,
mixed with the dew of my tears,
And with the light of your face,
I return respectful
And he who returns to you,
Eternally will never suffer
Regardless of what hindrance,
Life puts in front of me
You to me is saviour,
To what my body sees
Those bitterness of my living,
Soothes with your approval,
Of my endeavour,
For I can not delight,
In a life without servitude ... [ as in working hard and being of benefit]
And only of opulence
Who else do I have?
Who else sees my heart?
But the one who all creatures hear,
And shadow in his eternity
I call you Lord,
Forgive my imperfection,
With your generosity,
And let my calling you,
Be my witness,
To my good intentions
And look at my fearful,
eager and greedy being,
And who can be merciful,
But you O Lord?

Sultan Hassan Mosque - Cairo

Pick your own GP

" The way in which a patient experiences care is crucial to their ultimate assessment of it"

As a mother of four, now grown up children, I wish I had the choice to change surgery long time ago when the children were young! First, we were registered with a very good GP close to where we lived, but when that doctor retired, the practice was taken over by an arrogant, I know it all, man who did not give any regard to the the patient's circumstances at all! ... and he wasn't a good doctor either! He simply filled in forms and wrote referral letter for anything and everything; even the most basic of ailments! As a working mother, I had to either leave early or take days off a very sympathetic, most of the times, work to keep his appointments, only to be redirected to the local hospital each and every time! Not easy for a mother of four working about 5 mils away from home and a journey that involved having to navigate her way in congested central London in a car full of exhausted, bored and srceaming school kids!

At the end, I didn't bother with booking appointments with that GP at all, but just went directly to the A and E at the local hospital instead ... or, as I became a more experienced mother, I used to buy a stock of prescription medicines from Egypt, including antibiotics, and treat my own kids ... and the cats ... and the two dogs we had when the kids were younger ... the 35 budggies .. the fish ... the small crockodile we once had in Egypt ... you name it, I treated it, even the neighbours ... on very few occasions! :-)

But then kids grow up, and it was my eldest son who found us our current doctor, only about nine years ago ... and he really is a very good doctor and a very nice person as well, I would never think of leaving his practice for anything; not even for an offer of a Harley Street practice for free! One of the things I like about him is that he knows I read in medicine and he doesn't belittle my knowledge but always tries, with a candid smile, to enrich it ... he even lent me one of his books on one occasion .. and a good book it was too!

I trust my doctor .. and he is like a friend! ... What more can I want? ... And my doctor knows my children are young medics, he is aware of catastrophe MTAS 2007 and hence, he also knows I blog for I told him myself when I took part in the 'Save your surgery' campaign ... he wasn't bothered with it at all, only I knew nothing and so, I was .. then! But he was never afraid and I now understand why! ... and so, Dr R .. if you are reading this ... I just want to say thank you :-)

And now let's talk about Lord Darzi ... well, I didn't put his picture up there for nothing! :-)

After an unprecedented whole year consulting with 2000 clinicians, including GP leaders and Professor Steve Field; the head of the RCGP, and 60,000 members of the public, Professor Lord Darzi recommended in his report "The Next Stage Review", which was published in June 2008, that patients should have the right to register with the GP of their choice regardless of where the patient lives. Given what I have endured myself and since Lord Darzi's highly acclaimed review was, as most experts said, considered the patient as it's numero uno priority, I am very glad that, at long last, people will not have to put up with inconvenient or below standard Gp service any more.

We pay for GP services through our taxes and for that, every citizen in Britain should have value for their money! We are all entitled to the excellent services provided by caring, effecient as well as affable doctors like him and doctors who won't bow under any pressure but always put their patients first like him!

And to the bad apples ... good riddens! ... and that's also when the good doctors will enjoy the fruits of their hard work ... be appreciated more, not only by their grateful patients, but by the media who will no longer find grounds to attack and abuse GPs

And I also believe that soon will come the time when good doctors are grateful for the help they will get from those new polyclinics to relief the pressure they are currently under and specially because of the increasing pressure as a result of not only the increased shift to treat people in the community but with an ever increasing ageing population too.

... and was that whole year consultation process exhausting!

let's all hope for a bright future ... :-)

"GP practices will need to be ever better if they are to continue attracting patients."

Is there a doctor in the mouse? :-)

“A clever mouse does not rely on just one hole!” Titus Maccius Plautus


- Well, your tests are all clear Paddy, I can't see a reason why you've been getting those headaches! .. Incidently, do you ventilate the house?

- Ventilate?!

- You know, open the windows to let the fresh air in ... do that now .... and I'll see you next week


- .... Next week ...


- Oh, you look much better Paddy, have the headaches gone now?

- Yes doctor they have ... and so is my TV ... my laptop .. the fridge ... my new bed ... the cat ... my best suit .....




- Maaaow .. Meaoww .. Meee-aowww ... Bekhkhkh!
- Ay Ay Ay! :-(
- Purrrr ... purrrrr .. purrrr .... ;-)



















It must be the swine! .. or a bit of 'blogging fatigue', I guess ...
Have a peaceful Sunday ... :-)

Call me 'Fidelity' ... :-)

“The only distinctions which should be recognized are those of the soul, of strong principle, or incorruptible integrity, of usefulness, of cultivated intellect, of fidelity in seeking the truth.”

Soon as Obama took office, his two most urgent priorities were to attend to the failing economy and reform health care since the latter currently leaves nearly 50 million Americans out;

"This summer I turned 22. This one little year added to my age makes me ineligible as a dependent under my parents' coverage. I could find a job that offers health benefits to part-time employees, or drown in hospital bills if something should happen to me.

I can only hope that a resolution is reached soon. Until then, the well-being of millions hangs in the balance."

It's spiralling cost will also soon outstrip the entire Federal Government's allowance if left unchecked ! As the UK was undergoing radical reform of our own healthcare system in England and since our reform covers most of the criteria Obamacare was considering, mainly that ours is a universal system which costs a lot less as well as the fact that the current reform also aims to improve effeciency and control cost further by concentrating on prevention and quality, it was logic that the Americans will be watching with great interest and they were and still are.

But Obama's proposals for reform were met with great resistance. First from the Republicans, then even from factions of his own party. Moreover, a probaganda war to discredit our National Health Service began in earnst, headed by the big sharks of the American insurance and pharmaeutical industries who stand to suffer major losses if Obama's plans for a partly publicly run universal system are approved. And the dirty linen then the lies began to appear smearing the NHS in order to smear the Obama proposals for a universal system involving some sort of public funding in part .. and ... Alas, that smear the NHS campaign was facilitated by some Brits who were being unpatriotic by taking part at a time even when Americans living in England stood to defend our NHS!

"A system that gives every citizen the right to health care free at the point of entry wis, I believe, the hallmark of a truly democratic society, one in which no one is penalized because of his economic status. And democracy in this sense doesn't mean bargain-basement care, either, thank goodness. In today's NHS, we do have choice of where to see specialists, and we can get a second opinion if we don't like the first."

This negative campaign against a British major establishment promted our leaders, right to the top, to stand out and defend the NHS for the good service it has provided this country since it's inception 61 years ago ... "Thanks for always being there" said Gordon Brown, our Prime Minister, followed by his wife, then a million persons using the web based communication tool 'Twitter' to rally behind the NHS and in it's defence .. and rightly so too!

Then, as well as having to cut his holiday short to appear on channel 4 (Video in the previous link), Professor Lord Ara Darzi, who has since appeared in the media on many occasions in defence of the NHS, wrote this article in The Washington Post jointly with a colleague. First, he counter argues the lies spreading around the USA about our system, then he moves on to highlight the good points about the NHS, then this:

"Standing in defense of Britain's health service does not mean that we believe it is the right prescription for the United States. It is not for us to propose the solution for America, but we hope that correcting the record on some of the facts about our NHS will help Americans evaluate the real strengths and challenges of our system, instead of focusing on the misinformation spread by fear-mongers. Indeed, none of the proposals for reform -- from President Obama or anyone else -- would create a system that resembles that in Britain. What we share across the Atlantic are a set of common values: a belief that health care transcends the narrow confines of consumerism and is a moral right to be secured for all; and fidelity to the principle that a good society brings its citizens together in common purpose, where hope can overcome fear. "

Lord Darzi has since appeared and is still appearing in the American media in defence of the NHS. As for the American system, it is in dire need of reform, if only for the sake of social fairness.

And it was his use of the word fidelity that drew my attention. This above is not only about health, it is about how all leaders in the world should lead, about how we should be lead, in all aspects of our lives. If only we all revived the meaning of fidelity perhaps this smear campaign would not have been possible to start with! Maybe the past would have been different too .. no down turn, no scandels ...

How to do it? Simple! If only we can trust our politicians to put their hand on their heart and pledge fidelity to us people ... If only fidelity was made an essential criteria for selecting our leaders and not just because we elected them!

If only we had a few more good men who used the word more often .. and meant what they say and act upon it like Lord Darzi did, does and keeps on doing .. action, not just words ...

... and I didn't elect Gordon Brown ... but his smile is beginning to grow on me .. because I can see 'Fidelity' behind it ... and I know he means it too

And me too ... call me 'Fidelity' ... for I am one too, it works both ways .. or not at all! :-)

We need to believe, trust and learn from each other, or might as well pack and go live in a jungle ... as those who don't believe in fidelity do!

Let's hope ....

"The burden of proof falls upon those who oppose change -- for they stand in defense of fear"

Have I been swined? :-(

“Well, remember what you said, because in a day or two, I'll have a witty and blistering retort! You'll be devastated THEN!”

• fever [ x 38.4 ]
  
• cough or shortness of breath. [ x for cough only ]

• headache [ no ]
  
• tiredness [ x very ]
  
• chills [ no ]
  
• aching muscles [ x aching everything ]
  
• sore throat [ x ]
  
• runny nose [ x and congested sometimes ]
  
• sneezing [ x ]
  
• loss of appetite [ x good thing though :-)
  

Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea. [ no ]

With all those xxxxxxx, have I been swined? I think I have, because it doesn't feel like a normal flu! It started out really mild two days ago with only a bit of a runny nose and a little soreness in my throat but then I was out in the open air yesterday and by the time I got home, many hours later, I was done! .. and I have never felt so poorly with a flu before so, it is not mild!

But, aren't those above the usual symptoms for seaonal flu too? So, what tells the difference? Anyway, Whether I have been swined or not, I have decided not to take any medication, apart from some occasional Paracetamol and home made honey and lemon or ginger and mint teas ... and lots of liquids .. and just wear a mask at home to protect my family.

.... and BTW, the NHS evidence website says:

"Who is most at risk?

Those at higher risk include .... children under five; people over 65; those with diabetes mellitus; the immunosuppressed (whether caused by disease or treatment); patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years; and pregnant women."

But I thought an exclusive feature of Swine Flu that differentiates it from seasonal flu is that it attacks the younger population rather than these above age groups?

... and I shouldn't have messed with The Swine, eh? .. It's now their revenge time!

Or, is it? ... we're not going to die en mass this autumn then, eh?

And why do I feel these new figures be revised down again soon ... and is there still 'any' justification for mass vaccination of every citizen in this country? ...

This Swine Flu 'campaign'! .... Hilarious stuff!

Last night I had a revelation
Somehow I have to make you pay
It's all about manipulation
And what it takes to get my way
I don't believe in soft solutions
No one makes a fool of me
Without receiving retribution
No one hurts me and goes free

You know, it feels intoxicating
To be intimidating
It's invigorating
To see you shaking

I've got the power to bring you down

You know something, you see it coming,
You know I will stop at nothing.”

P. Swine? @@

Is there a connection?

“Our masks, always in peril of smearing or cracking, in need of continuous check in the mirror or silverware, keep us in thrall to ourselves, concerned with our surfaces.”

When I first read The Telegraph's article 'Cruel and neglectful, care of 1 million patients exposed' on the Patient's Association saying:

"In the last six years, the Patients Association claims hundreds of thousands have suffered from poor standards of nursing, often with 'neglectful, demeaning, painful and sometimes downright cruel' treatment. The charity has disclosed a horrifying catalogue of elderly people left in pain, in soiled bed clothes, denied adequate food and drink, and suffering from repeatedly cancelled operations, missed diagnoses and dismissive staff. "


When I read this, my first though was good god, how can the NHS fail so many people and still be regarded as 'Part of the British social fabric'?! If this is true then what are we doing trying to repair a crumbling beyond repair system and why?! Thatt's ONE MILLION people suffering dire neglect for Pete's sake! Of a population of 61 million! The mideavel dungeons would've been way, way kinder, yes?! But if really so, what have we all been doing trying to defend such a failing system?!

But then the truth came out! The Patients Association has made 'a mistake' in it's stats, which meant that the true figure of those patients mentioned in their report was multiplyed by 62,500! That's a 'Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred' mark up, no less! Honest! For 16 patients became 1 MILLION! And, The Telegraph did not notice 'the' mistake before it went to publishing either! Channel 4 did ... a summary of the whole episode with all the links is on the Witchdoctor's site.

Not that it's ok to let 16 patients down, but the shear extent of the mistake in those calculations, as well as the nature of funding and connections to big business the Patients Association has (read Ron comment) makes me wonder, is there a link between this 'mistake' and the current 'smear the NHS campaign'to stiffle Obama's health reform in The USA? You see, I am also considering the timing of the release of that report ... and the whole thing is troubling me! ...

I hope I am wrong, for the Patients Association is British, isn't it? ... and I do wonder why they haven't come out to explain their 'huge mistake' .. yet?

And I believe Obama will eventually get to pass his proposals for a universal healthcare system for his country, because it is the only sensible thing for a real leader to do ..

... fulfill the duty to protect ... and include all!


“Do not help the quick moneymakers who have delusions about taking possession of classics by smearing them with paint.”