Angels In Uniform #NHS #70Years

12 Jul 2018 90 Comments

by Ritu in Family, My Writing, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , , ,

This last week I had the opportunity to see the great work of the NHS at close quarters for more or less four days.

Sitting by Pops’ bedside meant that I saw just how hard the staff work.

By the time I got there, the Doctors and Consultants had done their rounds, so I didn’t see them, but I was fortunate enough to meet the many amazing support staff, nurses, ward sisters, cleaning staff and catering staff without whom the doctors wouldn’t be able to do their jobs. The ones who are really paid a pittance for all the good they do.

I watched as difficult patients were handled in sensitive ways, the elderly were given the care and respect they deserved, patients both young and old were welcomed into the ward with a smile.

And all that I encountered, from the bay nurses to the student nurse, the ward sisters, to the pain relief managers, were all so wonderful with my Pops.

And he, in turn, made sure that he had a smile, a please and a thank you, ready for them all.

It’s a simple thing, to smile, but that smile can make the job of a tired nurse so much easier.

We had running jokes with our jovial student nurse, Abigail, a young lady from Zimbabwe.

Rishi, Pops fave bay nurse was so great at explaining things to us, and he spoke Punjabi too, so Pops was glad. Even though he speaks fluent English, his mother tongue is his mother tongue!

Loved old Rob the tea man! When Pops was nil by mouth, he’d sneak up to me and whisper in my ear to ask if I’d rather have his tea, instead of letting it go to waste… He wasn’t allowed, but as we had built a rapport over the days, we were mates!

Liz the original Ward sister was lovely, helping me over the phone the first day, and making sure I knew exactly how Pops was.

There were so many others there too.

And they helped make Pops feel so comfortable, and me.

So well, in fact, that he should be discharged tomorrow!

And just look at this face now.

img_20180711_1519547927464163610116385.jpg

He’s almost sorry that he has to get ready to say bye to them all!

Despite the not sleeping well at night, with the myriad beeps of monitors, the countless wake ups to take obs, and the groans of other unfortunates, he still appreciates all they, and the NHS did for him.

(And he always will, he was an NHS dentist himself, and he gave himself fully to his own job, deciding not to go private so he could give affordable care to those around him).

So here is a little verse, thought up as I drove to work this morning. (Yes, I am back home now, and will be driving back to Pops on Saturday!)

Machines bleeping
Patients not sleeping
They can’t
Constant requests
Are patients pests?
They aren’t
Nurses are waning
Are they complaining?
They don’t
Angels in uniform
Will they ever change form?
They won’t

Ritu 2018

 

90 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. julia
    Sep 10, 2018 @ 17:00:51

    I love your blog. Thanks for search informative article.
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    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. LaurenRogers2000
    Aug 26, 2018 @ 18:45:46

    Hello. I am new to blogging I love your content. x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. manyofus1980
    Aug 25, 2018 @ 14:47:24

    what angels they are! Glad your pops was taken care of and all is well. xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. LaurenRogers2000
    Aug 15, 2018 @ 12:43:24

    I have written ‘A teen’ for charity for the NHS to say thank you to all the doctors and nurses that saved my life because I was born 24 weeks premature please share my blogs thanks would me much appreciated x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. MadManagement
    Jul 18, 2018 @ 14:09:15

    So glad your Dad got such good care. Doesn’t suprise me at all but it is a disgrace the way the goverment treats our angels in uniform.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. OIKOS™-Redaktion
    Jul 15, 2018 @ 16:54:28

    Congratulations!!! What wonderful news! Excuse my late notice of that, and have a great week. Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. dornahainds
    Jul 14, 2018 @ 16:23:39

    Marvelous! And Happy to read that Pops is on his way home. 😎🥀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. lollowe
    Jul 14, 2018 @ 12:02:21

    so glad your Pops has improved – hope he’s out of hospital now XOXO

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Tania
    Jul 14, 2018 @ 04:11:37

    Beautiful sis! Glad Phuferji is better

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. You Can Always Start Now
    Jul 14, 2018 @ 00:03:21

    When my mother was in the hospital there were three other ladies in her room and I often felt like I was visiting them all. It was before going to long term care so she was there for a while. It became a community. So happy your dad is on the mend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. hotmessmemoir
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 23:34:08

    Nurses and teachers, the most underpaid people on Earth. At least here in America. Your dad has such a kind face and I’m gladd he is doing better! Please take care of yourself! P.S. I liked your poem!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Image Earth Travel
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 19:42:50

    What a beautiful looking face Pop’s has!

    These guys aren’t paid enough, especially to have to put up with the emotional turmoil every day – shame on the politicians who increase their own salaries whilst decreasing the NHS. It’s the same in Australia.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Em Linthorpe
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 18:16:28

    I’m a proud common-law wife of a NHS radiographer and you’ve summed up here how amazing an organisation it is. I love your little poem 💜 many healing wishes to your Pops, who looks remarkably well despite all he has been through! X

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jul 13, 2018 @ 18:23:32

      Thanks Em!!! He really is doing amazingly well… Healing pretty fast for a 72 year old!!💜 The health professionals we have here working for the NHS are just amazing 🙏🏼

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. josypheen
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 18:07:55

    Yay that he is on the mend. You are so right about smiles, they really do make the world better. You chose the perfect name for your blog!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. rachaelstray
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 17:54:35

    Ritu I am so pleased to see that your dad looks so much better. Much love to you all. Thank goodness for our amazing NHS.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. TanGental
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 17:54:13

    I haven’t had many detailed interactions with the NHS hospital care but those I have have been suffused with the humanity you describe. Not all of it works, I had a couple of disagreements because, well, my family is priority whatever anyone else wants but that doesn’t always work if you have several families to attend to. we are lucky to have it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. thatblogwherecheriemovestogermany
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 17:53:27

    so happy to hear that your Pops is on the mend!! Happy to know you have good health care there!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. pranabaxom
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 17:22:25

    Please make the effort to meet Mr. Trump who is visiting your country (and in his own words is loved by you all) and tell him about the good things about NHS. May be he will listen to the Brits instead of thinking of ways of getting rich by milking the insurance companies.

    Welcome back.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Marje @ Kyrosmagica
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 15:03:04

    So glad your dad is doing so well. And you’re right the nurses, doctors and support staff do an amazing job. We have much to be thankful for. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Jim
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 14:53:08

    glad to hear your Dad is doing mucher betterer 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Jennie
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 11:38:11

    That is so nice, Ritu! Bravo to all the angels in uniform, and best wishes to your Pops. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. SickChristine
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 11:10:29

    So happy he’s heading home and so happy you have the NHS.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  23. Ruth
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 08:43:07

    So glad your dad is recovering well Ritu – sending big hugs your way 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  24. fancypaperblog
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 07:30:44

    The nurses in Ireland are the same and work so hard.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  25. Miriam Hurdle
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 06:17:33

    Your pops looks good. I had my share to hear the beeps and be waken to take meds, vital, and other things throughout the nights. My husband and his siblings are medical people, so I always appreciate the care I receive. Take care of yourself with all the driving.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  26. niasunset
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 06:06:58

    I am so glad to hear this dear Ritu, B lessing and Happiness to you all, Love, nia

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  27. Rajiv
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 06:01:31

    We often forget that they work hard. They get a bad name because of bad policies

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  28. davidprosser
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 03:47:00

    After my latest stint in the Hotel Hospital in January you won’t hear me complain about the NHS. The staff are brilliant often under difficult circumstances. Patients are their prime concern.I’m so glad to see your Pops is well enough to return home.
    xxx Massive Hugs xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  29. syl65
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 03:06:42

    Pops is looking good Sister! A lot of hardworking people on all levels.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. Kurian
    Jul 13, 2018 @ 02:39:07

    A big salute to the angels in uniform.
    Wonderful tribute in your poem Ritu

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  31. iScriblr
    Jul 12, 2018 @ 23:04:01

    Beautifully penned!❤️

    Healing prayers for your Pops!🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  32. scr4pl80
    Jul 12, 2018 @ 22:55:29

    Happy to hear he is feeling better. I’ve had several stays as a visitor in the hospital while my husband was having one of his many medical procedures and we always try to acknowledge how hard the staff works, especially me because I know how impatient and grumpy my husband can be when he is not feeling well. Fortunately (?) he takes most of it out on me instead of them!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Jul 13, 2018 @ 05:46:49

      Wexare very lucky to have those people willing to look after patients. Some can be very grumpy ,sullen and rude due to their illness but sometimes their visitors are just as bad! Pops is looking wonderful!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  33. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Jul 12, 2018 @ 22:45:28

    How blessed you are to have such remarkable people attending to the needs of the patients. I have spent may a night in a hospital and if not for the loving care of those dedicated to helping me get better, I may never have. ❤ Your Pops looks terrific. God Bless him.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  34. trentpmcd
    Jul 12, 2018 @ 22:35:01

    A wonderful tribute to some wonderful people 🙂 Nice to hear your pops is doing better and will be discharged.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  35. Tony Burgess
    Jul 12, 2018 @ 22:09:48

    The NHS is a truly wonderful thing that I so wish we had here in America. No one should go broke just trying to live. Glad your pops is doing better.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  36. willowdot21
    Jul 12, 2018 @ 22:07:46

    Beautiful and so true 💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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