Our N.h.s is Still First Class
Five weeks ago, Betty, my Mother-in Law, went into Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, for a heart valve replacement operation.
It was to be quite an undertaking, especially for a 79 year old lady who in truth, was not in the best of overall health but she had been advised by the consultant surgeon, that surgery would may well improve her quality of life. She was very proud of her eldest grand-daughter who had graduated from University and started working as a teacher, but before passing on, she dearly wanted to see her youngest grand-daughter graduate and her grandson follow his fathers’ footsteps into the army.
The operation was initially a success and after a few days spent on the Critical Care ward of the hospital, she was returned back to the main ward. Everything seemed to be going well, but then complications started to set in. Her breathing became difficult, the levels of retained carbon dioxide were too high and she had to have fluid drained from her chest, hence it was decided to return her to the Critical Care unit. After a day or so, it was also found that her kidneys were not functioning as they should and with the onset of further breathing difficulties, a decision was made to sedate and return her to a ventilator. Here she stayed for a couple of days, but true to previous form when in hospital, she started to fight back. Very soon it was decided to remove the sedation, take away the ventilation and soon she was back with us, making life difficult for all, as ever! There things continued for about a week, but she was never happy using the mask to help her breathe as the medical staff wanted, so in an effort to make it easier for her, a tracheostomy was performed and at the same time, a heart pacemaker was fitted.
A few days later, we were all encouraged by the decision made to transfer her back to her referring hospital at Bedford; surely they wouldn’t move her unless there was an improvement of some kind? Upon returning to Bedford, the staff at their Critical Care unit were initially quite pleased with her progress and anyone who visited her were under strict orders to bring in ice lollies, which helped keep her mouth fresh. But again, things soon took a downward turn. Her breathing difficulties returned and she caught a slight infection, causing the medical staff to return her to sedation and ventilation.
Late last night, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family. It was as if she had given up the fight and realised that her life would never be as it was again. Sadly, the gamble she took backfired on her.
The first class care she received from both the doctors and nursing staff, at both Papworth and Bedford Hospitals, cannot be faulted in any respect. We in the UK are only too quick to criticise our National Health Service. Many people will tell you that the NHS used to be the envy of the world, in my opinion it still is 2nd to none. I am convinced that the treatment Betty received could not have been surpassed by any private heath provider.
God bless you Betty and thank you NHS.
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