Sadly it is now almost a daily occurrence for our NHS to to be in the news and general media reporting the waiting lists, failures and shortcomings it has. Also sad is that the great commitment and successes in the face of budget cuts, staff shortages and battered morale is probably at best, under reported.
It would seem to be generally accepted that the NHS has been underfunded and largely ignored for support for the last 13 years, and probably much longer, for I retired 16 years ago and there were horrendous financial shortfalls and grave difficulties then.
More recently during the pandemic crisis an embattled and overworked staff were often devoid of basic protective clothing and equipment rendering them severely at risk, but they carried on and performed their duties.
Anyway we must all make our own minds up about how we feel about the NHS and my poem below, that I read out live on BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, is an account of my experience of recently being rushed into hospital from A & E, and being my first time ever in hospital.
Hospitalisation
We know an underfunded NHS is creaking
So I did wonder a bit what I would find,
When having to be rushed into hospital
But it wasn’t the main thing on my mind.
For I was in severe agony and worrying
Just what was causing my intense pain,
But on being met by an emergency doctor
I got a reassured confidence back again.
For I was soon to be looked after very well
And treated in a valued and dignified way,
Which embraced all involvements from staff
Not seemingly to falter or even sway,
From a totally caring, committed approach
And camaraderie gallows humour for events,
Testing, saddening and shredding stout hearts
But never diminished any of their intents.
Thus as I considered this new world for me
For I had never been in hospital before,
I was impressed by positivity and hard work
Of various team grades giving all and more,
That could be reasonably asked of them now
With staff shortages and pressure of work,
From budget cuts and paltry wage rises
Grating on levels of duty they do not shirk.
So let us not treat our NHS with impunity
Or overuse the services unless we have to,
For these overcrowded committed areas
Normally have more than enough to do.
Therefore we must do our very level best
And stay sensible and use common sense,
To be healthy and look after ourselves
So pressure on NHS is not so immense.
*
All eleven of my books :–
Poetic Views of Life
More Poetic Views of Life
Reviews of Life in Verse
Life Scene in Verse
Life Presented In Verse,
Poet Reveals All (in your world).
Poet Reflects Your World
Poetic Seeds to Fruition
Our World in Verse
Laurie’s Bundle of Poetic Humour
Tea for Two; Poetic Antics of Ted & Beth (£6.99)
These all ensure my donation to the excellent charity I support, promote and donate to, that being Help for Heroes.
My first 3 books are only priced £4.99 each, with my 4th and 5th bigger books at £6.99. My new 9th, 8th, 7th and sixth books, all bigger are still £9.99, while my “Best Of” 10th book is only £7.99, and are for sale on Amazon, book stores or preferably from me ………….. lw1800@hotmail.co.uk Or 07967 355236
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