catmag

I think maybe only if I'm in uniform, so no

Personally I don't think privatisation is the answer as I feel that will move the focus away from patient-centred care to profit-making - after all that's what make businesses successful. However, unless we get more nurses on the shop floor, and quickly, then we're on a slippery slope. We NEED more staff! We're running 30-bedded acute surgical wards on 2 qualified nurses and people are wondering why their loved-ones aren't getting the best care possible. Why their relatives aren't getting fed properly/getting their drugs on time/ dressings changed/ bed baths/ taken to the toilet/ not seen by doctors as as soon as they need to. I moved away from ward nursing about 4 years into my career as I was on the verge of a breakdown due to stress. It's physically impossible to give 15 patients high-quality, patient-centred, holistic care all at the same time, whilst also having more and more paperwork to do every time the government decide that 'standards need to be raised' The nature of my job now means that I only have one patient at a time (although there are situations at night where several patients around the hospital may need anaesthetic input and there are only 2 of us) For the most part I can give my patient 100% care for my part of their hospital stay. I'm very often left knowing that when they then go back to the ward/Intensive Care/ High Dependency after being in theatre that there simply aren't the amount of staff there to give them the follow-up care that they require, to the standards required of us. Some nights if we're not operating then I'm re-deployed into areas that are short-staffed despite having no experience of that area or the patients. That's not fair on me or the patients and I have to constantly remind the bosses of my limitations in that area, but as long as I'm a qualified nurse, then the numbers look better. It doesn't mean the care I can give them is 100% of what is expected. I absolutely love my job, and I truly do my best for all my patients but sometimes it's just not enough. I need to stop now, because I'm also bound by a social networking policy which prevents me from saying lots of things in the public arena.

As J said above - it's a mess. The Trusts that have recently been publicised as "failing patients" include the hospital I trained at and worked in for 10 years. There weren't enough nurses there when I trained there 18 years ago and that hasn't improved since. It's also just the tip of the iceberg because if the general public knew half of some of the things that go on behind closed doors, and decisions that are made by management in probably all hospitals, there'd be more than a public outcry.

Nope, I'm an idiot who went to work in shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops last night. I looked a right clip on the bus home this morning

It's rained quite a lot overnight. That really fine rain that soaks you through...

Ah, if only! You wouldn't have got out alive

It's about time there was a bit of equality round here

My dishy window cleaner doing his round in just a pair of shorts this morning

I think it looks like a terrible PS job. Middle face is dodgy and far left's face isn't even on straight!

Take it to PM or you're both in the creche.

Stevie, I locked that thread for a reason. Take it to PM or to another forum.

Enough.

He wears pyjamas at work anyway!

The operation really isn't that intrusive for a hydrocele - it literally takes about 15 minutes. If it continues to worry you then don't let "surgery" put you off getting rid of it for piece of mind.

Bit philosophical tonight. Have just been out for dinner with my parents - just the 3 of us and had such a lovely time. It's rare that I spend much time with them on my own these days and they really have been a massive support to me in the last 6 months. Then tomorrow I'm off to the bairns nursery for his 'leavers assembly.' In 6 weeks time he'll be off to school and I'll have to find something to do with Mondays and Tuesdays!

So glad things are on the up Mac. Sounds like you've had a hell of a time and it's too your credit that you shared it all with us and gave us a bit of an insight. Here's to your continued good health

Oh and language!!

He was trained by the RAF and works as a mainland search and rescue pilot. I think due to his 'position' he's unlikely to be deployed to anywhere currently undertaking active combat, so slightly different to Harry.

I pay for all the bills, buy all the food, pay the nursery fees, pay for days out and treats and what's left over I use to buy wine. It's all good.

As William is not in the armed forces then no.

He didn't like it so I had to have it

You can't always see them though. Depends how long their tops are....

Cabaye is better

I'm just looking at their legs....