Is there hope for the NHS? (NHS Services For Children)

Member Name: lolly23

Product:	NHS Services For Children
Date:	03/11/09 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Service with a smile!

Disadvantages: Obviously, they don't always get things right.

I have mixed views on the NHS. It is something that we are very lucky to have access to, but I do admit that sometimes I wonder if the service we actually receive is worth having at all!

Adults do seem to have a raw deal when it comes to the NHS. We pay for it, yet it's the kids that get all of the benefits!
The NHS services for children are great, a lot better than those for adults.

For a start, all children up to the age of 16 (or 19 if still in education) get free prescriptions.
NHS professionals are also a lot more helpful, understanding and kind to children; which is understandable, really.

My son was recently rushed to hospital and stayed in for two days. He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, so we have also experienced a lot of aftercare; from a doctor, nurse and dietician.

When we went in, I was amazed by the facilities! There were: piles of games in the ward; a huge Lego play table; TVs and PS2s that could be wheeled round; a foosball table; a pool table; a HUGE playroom with every toy imaginable, and an outdoor play area with around 15 different ride-on toys!

There is also a 'chill out room' with comfy sofas, a TV, and hundreds of videos to watch. There is also a kitchen for the parents/carers with free drinks available. Those little TV, phone and radio things you get by each bed are also free for children.
No child wants to stay in hospital but the wards are now so well equipped that a stay in hospital can actually be a fun experience rather than a dull and dreaded one!

The children's wards also seem to be very well staffed; they were all extremely busy, but there was always someone on hand to help if you need anything.
All staff were helpful and polite; and they always had a smile on their faces - even at 5am!

The aftercare we received was also excellent. The hospital staff have always said that we can ring them at anytime and sometimes it is nice to know that they are around if you need them as things can be a little daunting when you are faced with an illness such as my son's.
They also write letters to the children, praising them for being brave and dealing with things well, which is really sweet and the children are always very excited to receive them.

Yes, this is just my experience and other people may not have had quite such a positive experience but bad news spreads faster than good and I believe that the NHS should be praised when they provide services such as this and not only acknowledged when things go wrong.

All in all - Yes, it is a service that has its faults (but don't they all!), but overall it is a service that we are very lucky to have access to.
Its service rivals many of the overpriced private healthcare services, and best of all, it's free (kind of)!!!

Summary: A service to be proud of.