THE APPOINTMENTS SERVICE IN THE NHS IN ENGLAND

THE APPOINTMENTS SERVICE OF THE NHS IN ENGLAND

Well, is it a Service ? I do not think so.
However, let us be fair. The NHS suffers from a number of hurdles. These are -

- Increased demand unmatched by Human Resources.
- Lack of Consultants and Doctors.
- Poorly trained Support Staff.
- Culture of Consultants and Doctors work schedules more important than the patients needs.
- A Prima Dona attitude from many Consultants.

These are not excuses but reality and we must bear these factors in mind when judging the Appointments System.
There are a number of irritating defects that should be addressed.

I have already suggested some solutions to the problems facing the NHS in previous articles on my Blog - Google EUREKYS.
Scroll down my Profile and read Future Strategy of the NHS.

Here is Case Example -

Day 1 - your Doctor submits an urgent request for an appointment for you to a hospital department, such as Urology. There is suspect infection or maybe a cancerous lump.

Day 14 - The Urology Appointments Department posts a letter to you offering an appointment 16 days later, or Day 30.
Although the date is Day 14, you receive the letter in Day 18. Yes, they have predated the latter. It may be the fault of the Postal Service.
So, it has taken 29 days for you to see a Consultant for your URGENT condition.

This is quite a normal procedure. For some urgent illnesses, it may take much longer. If you need follow up surgery or treatment, you may wait months for an appointment.

If you telephone the hospital to change the appointment, you are greeted with a voice recognition message.....Speak the name of the person or department which you want to speak to....you say clearly....Urology. The reply is.....you want to speak to Pathology ? No you say .....Urology. Maternity the phone replies. You hang up.

 Either perfect Voice Recognition or let us speak to a human being again. This example is taken from Bucks NHS Hospitals.

Some of the excuses for lack of convenient or urgent appointments are -
Unavailability of Consultants at your hospital of choice, so you have to shop around.
Inefficiency of the appointments service. Why should it take 14 days to reply to a Doctor's letter sent by email ?
We live in a fibre optics broadband world of rapid response computer systems. They should be able to respond instantly.

Another problem is that if you cannot accept the date of appointment you are offered, you night have to wait another 4 weeks or more.

OK, let us assume that you have been lucky and you disagree with my views. Consider this......
You go to the hospital 15 minutes before your appointment at 10am in the Eye Department.
At 11.00am you are still waiting ! Why ? The Nurse tells you that you were advised in your letter that you must be prepared to wait up to 4 hours !
You them ask - why are you running so late ?
This is the answer that I once had from the Nurse:
We had a few patients who turned up late and we had to wait for them ! That is why we are running so late.
I told her that this is crazy. I arrive well in time for my
appointment but late comers are still given priority.
I proposed this solution for the future.

Letters of appointments should say that the patient should arrive 15 minutes before their appointment let us say 9.45am for a 10.00am appointment. If they are more than 20 minutes late ie they arrive at 10.05am then they go to the back of the queue.
The latecomers should be inconvenienced not the early birds!

There is one final shortcoming that needs to be highlighted .
There is never any feedback from the Nurse on duty to advise patients in the waiting room why there is such a long delay.
No feedback, no apology, no regular updates.
Patients are treated in a manner which exudes the feeling....
We are doing you a favour. Just sit there, be quiet and be grateful. The Doctor will see you when he is ready.

Now for the worst part of the appointments service. They book up to 10 patients in at the same time. Their reasoning....
Some patients do not turn up so we overbook to compensate for this. True but a rubbish explanation.
This overbooking means that on average you could wait for about 45 minutes, that is my experience.

So, NHS, you are a wonderful facility for us frail human beings. Probably, the best in the World. But, you need to improve the Appointments Service.

THE ROLE OF TURKEY IN BREXIT

ANOTHER GOOD REASON FOR BREXIT - THE ROLE OF TURKEY

Turkey is placing extra pressure on the EU to accelerate their application to join the EU.
Turkey is using the current Migrant crisis as a bargaining ploy to ensure that they get a positive response to their wish to join the EU.
This is one very good extra reason why BRITAIN should exit the EU. Why ?
If Turkey, a predominant Muslin country, joins the EU, its population of some 75 Millions will have the right under EU Law to travel unhindered to BRITAIN to seek employment.
Since wages and working conditions are much lower in Turkey, you do not have to be an Einstein to understand that BRITAIN will be flooded once more with foreign EU citizens.
Yes, Cameron negotiated a softening of Welfare payments but there would still be in place a Progressive scale of Welfare
payments to these Migrants. In addition, there will be immense pressure on the NHS and our Schools as well as extra demand  on housing.
If you think that EU Policy of free movement of EU citizens is bad enough, just wait for the influx of Turkish citizens.
Britain must be in a position to manage its own borders.
We cannot be forced by the EU to open the floodgates once more to EU workers and their families.
If we stay in the EU, I am afraid the bubble will burst and there will be an outcry - too late - from the indigenous BRITISH population, civil unrest and even violance.
The EU has already become one out of control bureaucratic nightmare. If you happen to be one of the high paid unelected officials, the EU is great.
The threat from Turkey to the BRITISH way of life cannot be overstated. If you are sitting on the fence and do not know how to vote in the coming Referendum, think  about The Turkish threat in addition to all the other negative aspects of remaining in the EU .

EUROPE.......Yes
EU..................No

THE MUSIC NOISE AWARDS 2015

THE MUSIC NOISE AWARDS 2015

Have you witnessed any similarities between My Music Noise Awards 2015 and Other Music Awards today ? In case you have not, let me enlighten you.

To win one of my Music Noise Awards  you have to have the following features in your act - according to me.

You have to have in the background.......Flashing lights all throughout your act. It does not matter what they are about as long as they are flashing.

Next the volume of background noise must be almost unbearable. This is so that the audience do not notice you the artist singing. Loud beating drums is a sure winning ingredient.

You must have lots of Dancers in sexy outfits making all kinds of gymnastic shapes. They are imperative. In the recent Brit Awards Show Rihanna's co singer simulated screwing her from behind in the sexy dance routine. The audience loved this ! Give us more of that. It does not matter about the music. Yes it is the Era of Bland, Noisy, Sexy, No Melody Music.

What a difference from some of the Jewels of the 1950 - 1980 period.
The wonderful sounds of Burt Bacharach and the like. The romantic sounds of Gershwin, Berlin, Cole Porter and Don Black. The magic of The Rock and Roll bands,the genius of the Beetles and the Stones, Elvis Presley and many many more brilliant Music Composers and Lyricists. What a decline in Music Composition. Or, is it a decline in the tastes of the Fans who buy millions of records each year, attend Concerts at £100 Plus per ticket and TV programmes like X Factor and Britain's Got Talent who produce average singers which the Music Industry change their image with new haircuts, a few tattoos, skimpy outfits, face cosmetics, nicknames, new simple dance routines and a Fan Club. Yes, if you are the 1:100,000 candidate who wins a big  Competition on TV, you can make Millions. For the other 99,999 losers it is back to the drawing board unless you come second and then you might just might hit the big time.

Another characteristic of successful Promoters and Artists in today's Music Industry is that the more money they make the more scruffy and dishevelled their appearance becomes. The casual open neck shirt, beard, hair sticking up in all directions, bad language, show off disposition, look at me stance, half drunk stature seems to be the winner if you want the Fans to love you and look up to you.....Yes, you are so great ! We love you.

The singer, Band or Group does not need any melody. Noise is the winning ingredient. You can shout as much as  like. Screeching to high notes is even better. It will get you lots of applause.

The amazing thing is that with this formula of music, you will almost be guaranteed to sell Millions of records worldwide.
The audience will go wild just like at the recent Brit Awards at the O2 Arena.

Oh, if you can throw in a few vulgar words whilst on stage, this will get you more applause.

What does this tell you about the BRITISH and American Music Industry today in 2016 ?
With a few exceptions, it is.....to use a semi vulgar word....Crap !
No wonder so many Wanabees think they can reach the top of the Music Industry....they probably can...even with no talent and they can earn £ Millions for performing RUBBISH.


I was unable to give my Screecher of the Year Award 2015 this year because I found it very difficult to differentiate between all the Screechers. They all sounded the same !
For all the winners at the Brit Awards 2015 I would like to award you my
Music Noise Awards 2015.  Think yourself lucky !

IF WE LEAVE THE EUROPEAN UNION - WHAT NEXT ?

IF WE LEAVE THE EU - WHAT NEXT ?

It is very important to maintain very good relations with the people of Europe. There will be a temptation for the  STAY IN factions and the EU Public Relations teams to convey that ....BRITAIN has turned its back on EUROPE. This will turn Europeans against BRITISH Products and Services and it will undoubtedly have a detrimental effect on British Trade. It may even spark a Trade War between the EU and the UK in which everyone will lose.
So, BRITAIN must win the PR Battle of Europe.
How can we do this ?

- The BRITISH Government must spend money in European Newspapers advertising the fact that The British People are still Europeans.

- We British love the Peoples of Europe and we want a Happy,Peaceful and Prosperous relationship with all the Nations of Europe including Russia.

- The British Media have a big part to play in a Post EU situation.
The Daily Mail and The Daily Express for examples need to curtail their Anti- Europe rhetoric and blazing Headlines.

- We are not voting against the Peoples of Europe. It is the EU that has caused BRITAIN to have a Referendum with such uncertainty.

- Politicians of all Parties must talk positively about Europe. They must not sound triumphant as if we have overcome Napoleon or Hitler again ! Be careful with the language you use Politicians and Newspaper Journalists - and the Television Presenters !

- We ordinary Citizens have a role to play as well. When on holiday in Europe talk positively about the future within Europe.
Tell our EUROPEAN hosts that we have not divorced Europe but the EU  Federal System of Government.

A post EU period needs careful handling for all of us in Britain.
We have got to get the right tone in dealing with the EU and EUROPEAN Peoples.

If Scotland votes to want to join the EU and they are accepted by the EU Member Nations, let them go their own way. Let us remain strong Trading Partners. Wish our Scottish Neighbours every happiness and prosperity in the future - just like we have done for EIRE. No discrimination and  no backlash !

Let us respect the role of Democracy just like we have wanted in our Referendum with the EU.
Whatever happens in the future, We Britons should remember - We trade with the World. We will continue to trade with Europe - trade barriers would be detrimental for everyone in Europe. We have growth markets such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia,  China,USA and Canada, South America, Australia and New Zealand....and growth Markets in Africa. What a World ! What an opportunity. 

If the Referendum result is To Leave the EU, it will not be the end of the World for BRITAIN.
It will be the Beginning of the New World for BRITISH enterprise, Management and Skills in its great MultiCultural population.

Will we fear the post EU World ?

                 NO,NO,NO as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher would have said !

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE UK VOTE NO ?

What does BRITAIN gain if we vote -
 To Leave the EU?

Direct control over Immigration Policy. We would only allow people to work in the UK if we have a need for example - Doctors, Nurses, Teachers. An Australian type of Work Visa.

We would not contribute to the EU Budget or Common Agricultural Policy. We would help our farmers as we feel appropriate.

If Scotland voted to leave the UK, we would develop a new relationship with Scotland for mutual prosperity. No backdoor entry of EU citizens via Scotland.

EU workers in the UK would get Welfare payments from their country of origin.

We would remain in NATO and all agencies for law and order.

BRITISH citizens would be subject to UK Laws and Judiciary.

The UK would serve voluntary on EU and International Committees for mutual benefit.

We would continue Free Trade in line with International Treaties and as Membership of World Trade Organisation, UN and World Financial Agencies.

The British Parliament would be Sovereign.

Britain would be an Independent Country again playing a leading role for Peace and Prosperity the World.

Britain would serve on all mutually beneficial Agencies but BRITAIN would decide which agencies and on what terms.

Investment in the UK would be subject to Bank of England regulations.

The £ would remain our currency.

Britain would decide the rules for the UK Fishing Industry, Steel Industry and Anti Dumping Laws.

Remember the foundation of our role in Europe......The UK voted in the Seventies to join the European Economic Community - a Trading Bloc. This was our Democratic Choice. I voted for this.
What did we end up in ?........The European Union. A totally different Organisation. A Federal System . Do we want to be a Democratic People or a Subservient People who will be forced to live in any system of Government  in which we have no say ? This is the Big Issue.

Your choice is Democracy or Eurocracy ?

EUROPE ............YES
EU........................NO

THE OUTSOURCING DANGER TO BRITAIN AND EUROPE

OUTSOURCING - THE ATTACK ON BRITISH AND EUROPEAN JOBS
Whatever the result of the BRITISH Referendum.

The attack on BRITISH and EUROPEAN Jobs has been well under way for some years now and no-one seems to be doing anything about it.
The threat comes from the Concept of Outsourcing Jobs to low cost economies. Amongst the culprit Nations are China, Phillipinnes and India to mention just a few.
There is a long list of Companies, part of their Globalisation Strategy, who are doing this. They are making British workers redundant in order to outsource jobs to these low cost economies to save Operational Costs. What a great idea or is it ?

Top Management of companies are not taking into account -

The Social Costs of their actions.

The Stress and unhappiness that they cause to workers who lose their jobs as a result of Outsourcing.

They ignore the negative impact on the home economy of the loss of spending power.

They forget the Welfare Payment and severance pay costs of their actions.

The waste of home grown talent.

They ignore the fact that BRITAIN pays £ Billions per annum in Overseas Aid to these Developing Economies....now they want to export them our jobs as well. Crazy ? Yes I think so !

This Outsourcing Phenomenon has gone far enough. Should we not be encouraging the growth of jobs at home and not export our jobs ?

Should we not be supporting BRITISH Families and European Families ?

As the Developing Economies growth, are we not in danger of losing our best talents and technological skills because they cannot compete with low wages ? Is this what we want ?
Do we want a skills reversal World......BRITAIN becomes the Second World Nation whilst India becomes the Developed and Prosperous Nation ?

Am I stupid ?

YOU DECIDE.

THE MAGICIAN'S ACT - EU OR UK

THE MAGICIAN'S ACT - Monsieur Le Kidologiste...............
To be or not to be....EU or UK ?

If you have ever been to the Theatre to see an Act of Magic, you will have noticed that the Magician tries to distract you, whilst he performs an amazing trick of Magic. He has deceived you by his slight of hand. He has made you concentrate on secondary issues rather than the main issues.
Brilliant you may have said. Or is it,once you know how he has done the trick ?
There is no doubt that David Cameron did his very best to renegotiate better terms for the UK within the EU structure.
He worked hard. He is a decent and excellent Prime Minister.
He has shown courage by giving the BRITISH people a Referendum on whether to stay in or out of the EU. That took guts and honesty. He has both. BUT, there is a big But !

What is the big issue at stake ?

It is that in the seventies, the British People in their Referendum thought that BRITAIN would be joining the EEC - the European Economic Community - a trade agreement.
What has happened since that Referendum has been one large development to a Federal System.
David Cameron will say that he has won a guarantee that BRITAIN will not be forced into an European Super State. Wonderful news is it not ? No. We are already in a Federal System of European Government.

Let me remind you of the facts.

- We are one Vote in the council of Ministers.
- We vote for MEPs to sit in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Brussels. We are a minority voice.
- We are subject to the rules set by the European Commission.
- We are subject to the European Court of Justice.
- The British Parliament is no longer supreme.

Am I not right ? Am I dreaming ? Are we not subject to an European Federal System of Government ? Are we no longer an Independent Nation State ? Is this an European Super State in reality if not in name ?

This is the big issue. To be or not to be....an independent Nation State or one amongst 28 Member States where change is difficult without unanimity of votes on key matters. Look how it had taken 4 years of negotiations across Europe by David Cameron, many meetings through the night, 5am the last meetings, arguments galore. Still, the EU Parliament has to have its say and the individual State Parliaments and Cabinets have to have their say......and what about Public Opinion and oh, the Lawyers........?

I think that I have seen through the Magician's slight of hand trick.
All the GAINS from the recent Brussels renegotiation are subservient to the real issue. To be or not to be........

In the coming IN or OUT debates, we must talk facts - if we get the truth and the facts.......
My verdict remains......

EUROPE......YES
EU................NO

Britain will never turn its back on EUROPE. We will always trade with Europe, live in peace and share common policies with our European friends.
But, please, allow us the chance to run our own affairs for better or for worse. Is that not what DEMOCRACY is all about ?