Help and advice there when we need it the most (NHS in general)

Member Name: carlz2001uk

Product:	NHS in general
Date:	27/08/09 (103 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Its free!

Disadvantages: For some people there may be waiting times

The NHS as we all know is a free for all health service, here for us at our time of need. So you would think! We all know that there are many, many flaws to the NHS, but when something is run by the Government, could it ever be perfect?! Now, I work for the NHS, in the HR department of a hospital, so you would think that this review is going to be a one sided view, given from an employee, well its not, I've also been in the care of this particular hospital as a patient on 3 occasions. I have also seen as a parent, what the hospital had to offer for my daughter when she was just 6 months old, and taken into their care for a period of a few weeks. I have to say that it on the whole, has been a very positive experience each and every time. On two occasions, I gave birth here, and while the media seems to bombard us with stories of women left alone during the birth of their children, it certainly was not the case on the two occasions I was under the care of the Midwifes. They acted professionally, and courteously, and yes on a few occasions, they did have to leave me, but certainly not when they were needed. I was also offered advice and parenting classes before the birth of my first daughter, after care through community midwifes, and non stop support at the end of a phone.

I was also under the care of this particular hospital, when my daughter was just 2 months old, and I had to call for an ambulance after I had breathing difficulties at home. An ambulance arrived quickly, and took me the 6 or 7 miles to the hospital. Once under their care, they could find nothing wrong with me, and (this is one of the few minor faults) I almost was made to feel like I had made the whole thing up! I was swiftly sent home and after it happened again shortly after, I was scanned and it turned out I had gallstones. The reason they gave me why I had not been scanned before was because I was young, fairly fit (!), and had a low BMI - fair enough, it was just one of those things! As I was covered by my dads company policy, I actually had my treatment through BUPA, so I can't comment further on the care I received for this particular instance.

As an employee of this particular Trust, I believe I receive good rewards, with a good salary, great flexible hours, and a good pension. My job is also secure through the hard times the country is facing at the moment. My only gripe is that I have to pay for the pleasure of parking in my own workplace! Fair enough if we were located in the city - but we are not! During the recent pandemic, it is clear to see how well the hospital works together, and we have recently been asked to volunteer to take over duties such as catering, portering and health care assistants, should the situation get any worse. This will of course include training, but I would be more than happy to help, if it meant the pandemic could be somewhat confined (as much as possible in a hospital!) and that staff could be sent home as soon as was needed.

As a person who doesn't get ill that often, and is quite fit and healthy, I haven't needed the care of the NHS that much in my life, but I would feel confident knowing that I could get help or advice should me or my family need it, through the many sources the NHS seem to offer. With NHS direct available on line and by phone, my GP surgery just a mile away and my local hospitals, I feel that with regards to my health, me and my family are in safe hands. I'm sure there will be some that disagree with me, but when I have received nothing but valuable advise, information and great care, what other opinion could I form. Other than the instance of being covered through my parents policy, I would not consider taking out BUPA cover at this moment of my life.

Summary: For the reasons I have needed the NHS, the treatment I have received has been 5 star