Its no secret that I'm far from impressed by the way the NHS is managed, the sharp end is great, but the thick end in the Ivory Towers leaves a lot to be desired.
Its common knowledge that I am connected to oxygen 16 hours a day, but its not that straight forward, as it is strictly monitored, in as much that I have been regularly checked to make sure the amount I use is correct for my needs, my usage is now stabilized and am now on yearly checks as opposed to six monthly. These checks consist of lung function test plus blood test, but with a difference, the blood comes straight out of a main artery as opposed to a vein, which is rather painful to say the least. My last tests were done on Tuesday 12th May, with my next on Wednesday 12th May 2010, so I was a little puzzled when I received a letter last Friday asking me to attend an oxygen assessment at the Vic on Sept 18th, so I gave them a bell.
I was told that all the people who deal with assessments were out, but would get some one to ring me later that afternoon or Monday morning. She must have forgot it was a bank holiday, but I eventually got the call around 4pm yesterday. I explained that I had just had an assessment in May and was not due another until next May, she explained that those assessments were for oxygen I used in the home, but seeing I also have portable oxygen cylinders I needed a further assessment by her department which provide this service. I was speechless, which for me takes some doing. I just said your having a laugh aren't you, oh no that's how its set up, your jesting its a wind up surely, I'm just waiting for someone to come on the phone and say Gotcha, but no it was right.
She the went on to explain that with having the portables they had to make sure I was getting the best use of them whilst away from home. I just said well I pick it up put it in the car and use it if necessary whilst I'm out, oh you don't walk about with it then, well know, it takes me all my time to walk from my living room to answer the front door (as people on her that have visited my home will testify to) I just said jokingly that I wasn't about to strap a cylinder on my back and do an impression of Ghost Busters down Union road.
My all point is why is there two departments doing the same job, why is everything being duplicated, its a waste of funds which could be put to better effect within the NHS, its a total nonsense
