N is for nhs
Without it, I wouldn’t be here. It’s a life line for so many, especially those with a long-term health issue. Now more than ever, the world is realising the weight the statement, ‘your health is your wealth’ really holds.
With so many avenues for this post to take, so many things for me to talk about when it comes to the NHS, I have decided to focus on my most recent experience involving the national health service, an experience that resulted in me needing to use the hospital during a pandemic.
If there is one thing I have learnt as a patient with a chronic illness during this global crisis, it is to trust in your own medical expertise, DO NOT IGNORE YOUR SYMPTOMS - THE NHS IS STILL OPEN – it is still there for you.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, people are still living with long-term health conditions and falling ill from non-Covid related illnesses. Left unmanaged or untreated, some conditions could have serious consequences. As I entered A & E a few weeks ago to receive treatment for a kidney infection I wondered – where are all the patients?!
A&E in the UK is currently split into hot and cold or green and red areas. I had no Covid symptoms so I was given protective gear and made to wait in the cold section of A & E. Yes it was different, yes it was more scary than usual seeing all the doctors and nurses in full PPE but the truth of the matter is, it was crucial I visited to attend to my health, even though my issues were non-Covid related.
I know I am not alone here. I know there are many out there suffering in silence. Things are different right now, appointments are being changed or cancelled and many people with chronic-health issues are having procedures and appointments (that ARE non-negotiable for their wellbeing) cancelled to make way for the influx of Covid patients. More often than not, these cancellations have been because of red-tape surrounding outpatients or chronic health patients ‘slipping through the net’ so to speak.
Call. Email. Chase it up! If it is something that cannot wait, if it is something that means life or death for you in the long run, it is not only important to you, it is important to the NHS too and you must push to get sorted, you must brave hospital. Once I finally got hold of my medical team, it was fully understood why I had needed to seek medical attention and my cancelled procedures and appointments were re-instated.
A&E kept me for a while, took my bloods, samples etc and sent me home for IV antibiotics in the community. Doctors checked up on me via a video link, medication was prescribed and scan appointments were organised. If you can be treated elsewhere other than in hospital, they are trying to ensure this happens. Had I not paid a visit to A&E, my IV antibiotics would not have been prioritised, I would not have had my kidney scans fast tracked and I would not be infection free, now, 2 and a half weeks later.
While the NHS is under pressure right now, please do not feel like a burden by seeking medical attention if you need it. Things are uncertain right now, things are scary but please fight the fear of going to hospital if you need to or are advised to – it could save your life.
N is for the NHS – it is an invaluable resource FOR many. Chronic illness doesn’t stop, even to make way for a pandemic SO PLEASE, SEEK THE HELP YOU NEED!
Written 2nd May 2020