PPlog

The mails posted last time and these following up also appear to chime with the press reports about NHS managers allegedly using delaying strategies for surgery to save costs. Hocus pocus anyway. The next mail was from PALS: Good Morning I have had your e-mail forwarded to me, I have confirmed with my colleague - orthopaedics are not exempt from national policy as patients are offered choice and have an 18 week target. Orthopaedic triage facilitates the national policy for patients to be seen within the timescale. If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know. Kind regards Susan Rixham PALS Manager – NHS Norfolk Freephone: 0800 587 4132 **************************************************** I replied straight away: Hello Susan Rixham. I have to disagree. Choice should begin with the GP: "Choice of Hospital" DH July 2003. Para 1.1.2 "Delivering the NHS plan sets out the requirement that patients and their GPs will be able to book appointments at

This is a recent exchange of e mails between myself and local NHS. The point is self explanatory: To my GP: From a patient experience group for JPH I got this:   You and your GP will choose a number of clinically appropriate hospitals. He or she will then print out an Appointment Request letter for you to take away with you.  Your Appointment Request letter lists your Unique Booking Reference Number (UBRN), your NHS number , a list of hospital or clinic options for you to choose from and how to book your appointment.  Your GP practice will also give you a password with your Appointment Request letter.  You can then book your appointment later from home using The Appointments Line (0345 608 8888). the internet or, in some cases, by contacting the hospital directly. You must have your Appointment Request letter and your password if you want to book your appointment after leaving the surgery. Does any of this apply to my knee surgery referral? I did get a cursory letter just off

I think it's worth quoting Brendan Barber (TUC leader) from his speech in Exeter yesterday. He said: The brutal truth is simply this - that the living standards of millions of low and medium paid public service workers are being hammered in the name of reducing the deficit. As the cuts begin to scythe through our public services more and more jobs are under threat, and as the pay freeze bites - while inflation roars ahead - real wage cuts are making it ever harder to make ends meet. On top of that now they are coming for your pensions. Meanwhile those who caused the crisis are getting off scot free. Let's be clear the real villains today are not the teachers and civil servants - they are the greedy City traders and bankers who got us into this mess. Pithy - and accurate. =-=-=-=-= Powered by Blogilo