Open Writing

When I was connected to a heart monitor in a Bradford hospital I had time to survey and reflect on the coming and goings of patients and staff.

I’m sure you have heard and read about multi-cultural conflicts in other countries, where folk seem unable to live together. What I saw as I lay in my hospital bed was a multi-cultural society in action, patients, medical staff, and admin staff, all of different races, united as a team with a common purpose - the sanctity and preservation of human life.

Patients treated staff with the respect they deserved, and vice versa.

There were no arguments, no favouritism. All were treated as equals. Doctors asked for opinions in certain matters. Ward sisters requested nurses to do tasks. No-one was ordered to do something. Everything was ticking over smoothly. If a monitor alarm went off, the matter was attended to immediately.

It isn’t just the medical staff who were working hard. The admin staff, the people who come around with the Cuppa’s, remembering that you only take one sugar, then, after their rounds were completed took a few moments to chat and joke with patients during what should have been a break period, they too were enthusiastically joining in the healing process. They were helping to make patients happy, aiding them on the road to recovery.

The hospitals have come a long way, introducing modern technology. People are living longer because of it. But modern technology wouldn't make much difference if the staff who use it had attitude problems; if they allowed patients to feel lonely and neglected. This does not happen in the Bradford hospitals in which I have been cared for.

I know that if I have to go into hospital again I am assured of courteous treatment and the very best medical care.

Now... one small complaint, concerning those small platsic taps attached to the needles which feeds a drip into the back of one's hand. They don't half hurt when you catch them on the bed sheets!