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Hi Gary,

That's pretty shocking on a cancer ward. What happens if somebody needs their pain killers increased at the weekend and only doctors can authorise it? Only one of the problems that could occour.

It's the same at the dialysis unit. No doctors in the evenings or weekends (well, occasionally a junior house officer with no specialization).

The NHS appears to be on a huge savings spree at the moment and the decisions seem to be taken by accountants rather than trained medical staff who know what is essential.

What happened to the promises that the priority would always be patient care and not finances?

Anyway, I could go on. TCALSS the NHS is in a bad way.

I hope your cousin is OK.

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew, but things look pretty grim for her.

I happen to be having chemotherapy at Ninewells myself at the moment and although Dr's are not persent 24/7 one can be found when required.

While one can compare apples and oranges such is not always meaningfull.

In the event of a problem requiring a Dr one can be found within a reasonable time ( they are a skilled and scarce resource ) and I would prefer that someone is awakened and brought in to deal with the situation rather than have someone potentially tripping on fatigue poisions through lack of sleep who has been buisy waiting on in the ward for just such a situation to arise. !


Neither do Tescos provide a their full service out of core hours - try to buy tobacco instore after 23.00

Both Tescos & the chemo ward work on the principal of providing sufficient service to meet the likley demand. Is that so wrong or strange ?

The sky's the limit as far as service levels and costs with modern medicine. How much are you willing to contribute to what I have read is already around the worlds 5th largest employer ?

Hello Ian,

Thanks for stopping by. You make a number of good points, but they are not really pertinent in this case. My cousin was not at Ninewells, nor was she receiving treatment but palliative care only.

I wish you well in future and hope everything works out for you.