Finding resolution
13th January 2004
When I was younger I could not understand why the ancient Chinese phrase “May you live in interesting times” was considered to be a curse. To me, it seemed more like a blessing. The last thing I wanted then was to be bored. Now, right at the beginning of what promises to be an extremely interesting year, I am not so sure. A bit of boredom is definitely preferable to the threat of terrorism, the impending Hutton report, the tuition fees debate and two elections on the same day in June.
Perhaps, like the rest of the country, I am just finding it hard to return to the real world after the Christmas break. It is odd, after spending nearly ten days celebrating love, friends and family to go back to the combative, suspicious and lonely culture of politics. But, there is a job to be done and, truth to tell, most of the time I enjoy it. Even when it is a little more interesting than I would like.
Throwing a sickie
As it happens, my re-entry into the real world was delayed by a plumbing problem which appeared over the Christmas break. As this was anatomical, rather than architectural, I spent a good deal of what should have been my first week back at work at the doctor’s or in the urology clinic at the Lister Hospital.
It was, thank goodness, nothing serious. But the diagnosis did involve a great deal of waiting. So I had ample time to digest Tuesday’s tabloid headlines that screamed, in huge type, that, along with me, at least 6 million other Britons would be calling in sick during the first week in January. I immediately, and unreasonably, felt guilty. But, I comforted myself, it would at least give me a chance for a bit of first hand observation of the newly funded NHS in action.
Standing room only
I was particularly interested in the provision of nurses, doctors and cleaners. The latter are extremely important in any hospital. But, in the Lister, which has the eighth highest number of MRSA cases in the country, they are even more so. MRSA is an antibiotic resistant infection that is particularly prevalent in hospitals which have large, specialist, renal units like the Lister.
I am happy to say that the hospital was spotless and that there seemed to be more than enough nurses, doctors and cleaners available. In fact there were so many that, in Clinic G, they ran out of stethoscopes and chairs. This meant that the male nurse taking my blood pressure had to kneel at my feet to do so.
When he apologised I assured him that it was no problem for me. If only more men would do the same. But I do hope that the East and North Herts Acute Trust will spend a bit more on chairs. They are not only needed for nurses. Patients and their families need more in the reception corridor. On the two days I was there it was always crowded and around lunchtime there was standing room only. Surely, it would not break the bank to put in a few more tables and chairs.
Smoking them out
The hospital also needs to make it more difficult for smokers to congregate around the main entrance. I know that they have now got a special smoking room but, as you walk into the hospital, you are still greeted by the sight of sick people shivering in thin dressing gowns puffing away on cigarettes. It is a depressing sight made worse by the smoke, stubs and ash. As a reformed smoker I am well aware of how intolerant the rest of the world can seem and just how hard it is to kick the habit. But it is a dreadfully unhealthy habit and should not be the first thing you see as you go into hospital.
Cleaning up
I hope that my time as an outpatient will make my ten minute contribution to this week’s debate in the House of Commons on Hospital Induced Infections more informed. This is a huge problem with a relatively simple solution. Scrupulous cleanliness. In other words lots of hand washing and careful cleaning.
The Lister has vastly improved its hand washing facilities. It has also brought back matron, though none of the modern ones, I am happy to say, are anything like Hattie Jacques in Carry On Doctor. They are already making a difference.
Barbara Follett MP
