Results tagged “NHS” from Birmingham Post - News Blog

Since every other article/news item is about the NHS' 60th anniversary, perhaps I can share a related anecdote.

My mother, like many other elderly people, suffers from arthritic pain in her knees and relies on knee-support bandages. On one occasion her existing bandages had worn out and the pain had become unbearable. Our GP referred her to the A&E because it was difficult for her to stand without assistance.

So on our arrival at the local hospital, I went in search of a wheel-chair. Now, you'd think there'd be plenty of wheel-chairs especially in the A&E, wouldn't you?

But oh, how wrong you'd be.

I worry about myself sometimes. I mean, as a regional columnist I really put my neck on the line.

Whilst others might ponder on modest subjects like the permanently appalling state of our hospitals, the ineffectual Council, or the surmountable quantity of litter in our streets that might even disgrace a third world country, I tend to be drawn to the big universal questioning.

Binge drinking, obesity, postcode lotteries and dying with dignity, these are just a few health issues that simply refuse to go away.

As The Post's health correspondent I don't want to stick with the mainstream or blindingly obvious, as am also interested in the off-beat stories and innovative break-throughs that could affect us all.

The health of the NHS itself, its finances, the workforce and how it is set to change in the coming years - whether patients or staff like it or not.

If you have ever glimpsed my occasional column, which has an obvious obsession with public health and fitness issues, then you will know I have a straight-forward, no-nonsense approach to staying fit and well.