BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood

Subject: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 07:58 PM

Nurse Margaret Haywood, at the Royal Free Hospital could not stand the way elderly patients were mistreated. She complained via the internal complaints procedure but nothing happened. So she helped the BBC expose the malpractice. This has led to a national campaign to help elderly and defenceless patients.

For her public service, she has been struck off the register.

Protest this injustice as below.



http://wwwindependent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/nurse-struck-off-over-secret-bbc-filming-1669648.html



Please support this nurse by forwarding the e-mail below to [e-mail]. See the above link for the story.


To: [e-mail]
Subject: Nurse Margaret Haywood

I believe the decision that you took in striking off Nurse Maragret Haywood was wrong both professionally and morally. What she did was to highlight bad practice. In disciplining her you are in effect supporting such practices. This decision should be reviewed and reversed.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:02 PM

Thanks for the link Richard - maybe she should just have prayed with them?

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:03 PM

Correction - Royal Sussex Hospital

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:06 PM

Yea...whistle blowers anywhere DO seem to suffer. Sorry I can't sign the thing, I'm in the US

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:32 PM

There is facebook group that anyone can join

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=74443012982


It seems there will soon be a No 10 e-petition as well (but only those in the UK or who are UK citizens overseas will be able to sign that.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GRex
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 05:28 AM

I agree and have emailed.

             GRex

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Jojam
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 09:21 AM

I have sent email will sing petion when online. It is an appaling decision.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Flash Company
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 09:56 AM

Sent e-mail one minute ago!
Well done Richard.

Brian Q

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Jojam
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 10:07 AM

Please excuse typo errors in my earlier post. I have also joined facebook group, unable to find No 10 e-peition as yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 10:30 AM

While appreciating that she DID expose serious malpractice , the reason given for her being struck off , As I understand the reports , is because she was concentrating on the filming and NOT giving due care to the patients !
Other than that , it still seems unfair that exposure of Malpractice results in her losing her ability to work in her chosen profession

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Emma B
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 11:11 AM

The reason for being struck off was 'breach of confidentiality'

The disciplinary panel of the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) decided that Ms Haywood, from Liverpool, had breached the confidentiality of the patients by filming them without their consent which was a "major breach of the code of conduct" and "fundamentally incompatible with being a nurse".

However the disciplinary panel also said there were concerns of an "exceptionally serious nature" involving the failure to deliver "basic nursing care" to patients close to death which "rendered many of their lives miserable".

The panel had dropped the charge that Ms Haywood had broken the NHS Trust's whistle-blowing policy by raising her concerns through the media.
She said she had reported the issues to managers in the Royal Sussex Hospital but nothing had been done.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 01:34 PM

There are now three e-petitions dealing with this topic

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/WhistleBlowing/
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/WhistleBlowing/


http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/haywood/
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/haywood/


and

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/nurse-sacked/
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/nurse-sacked/

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Rog Peek
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 05:32 PM

Signed.
Rog

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Lizzy B
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 05:38 PM

As a former nurse, who has also tried "whistle blowing", I too encountered similar disinterest from those in authority. I have recently been told by a matron in a nursing home, when I raised my concerns as to the welfare and condition of my visitee, that it was none of my business and to leave as I was not welcome there any more. I applaud Nurse Margaret Haywood's actions and give her 100 per cent backing. Thank goodness there are those who are not afraid to stand up for what is right and proper, and be a voice for those who are not in a position to speak for themselves. I am only sorry that it has cost Nurse Haywood her job. I hope that at some point she will be reinstated. There was a time when the only thing that got patients well was good nursing. Sadly these days are gone for all time. Nurse Haywood has the calibre, dedication and calling that befits the Nursing profession. Good luck, Margaret.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 05:42 PM

She has my full support and my wife's - a nurse herself - too.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 02:20 AM

There is now also an official petition backed by the Royal College of Nursing (the UK trade Union for Nurses) who are paying for Margaret Haywood's legal representation.

This one can be singned by those who are not eligible to sign the No 10 petitions by reason of not being UK resident.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-for-whistleblowing-nurse/sign.html

But if you are eligible you should sill sign ALL the petitions: it is important that support for Nurse Haywood is not diluted.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 05:05 AM

Done

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 06:20 AM

Seems to be growing apace. 145 now on the RCN petition.

I'm still pursuing my MP fairly relentlessly, which would be a good idea for others to follow.

Just a stark reminder that they NEED our votes in less than a year from now. Concentrates the minds!

Don.t

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Jojam
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 06:48 AM

I have signed all petitions & would urge others to do the same

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Penny S.
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 11:27 AM

Any Questions, and its follow-up, came out very strongly in favour of Ms Haywood.

Lizzy, was it a private home? That raises the point about whether it has the right to deny the visit of someone the patient wants to visit them.

Apparently, the permission of families was sought for either the filming, or the showing of the films.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 12:19 PM

Name added. Thank you, Richard, for bringing this to our attention.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: vectis
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 06:40 PM

I'm number 515. Signed everything I could find. Panorama should support her financially to take her case all the way to the top until she gets justice.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 09:55 PM

Perhaps the UK Nursing regulatory body should be reminded that nursing, as known today, would not exist had it not been for a very determined and well-connected young lady who loudly blew the whistle and upset politicians, military leaders, the Church, the landed classes who at that time ruled the country, and the common people.
When Fliorence Nightingale heard of the plight of British soldiers injured in the Crimean War she usd her father's money to take herself, with a team of helpers, to minister to the sick and try and improve the appalling conditions in the military battlefield "hospitals" of the time.
Florence Nightingale, "the Lady with the lamp", having investigated the conditions she left her helpers in place attending the sick, returned to England and immediately lobbied politicians and contacted the Editors of the newspapers of the day. Her first verbal assault was on her neighbour, the Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.
She actively sought media attention.
She was probably the biggest muck-stirrer of her time.
We all know the outcome of her activities.
Florence Nightingale, probably the best-known UK whistle-blower, is buried at West Wellow, Hampshire, her tombstone marked simply "FN" and her dates of birth and death.

I've signed the petitions. Have you?
Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:23 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:48 AM

RCN petition now has 1444 signatures

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:59 AM

The Downing street petitions are languishing somewhat.

86, 146, and 40 signatures respectively.

I've received a reply from my MP's office saying that my letter has been passed to him, and he will respond personally in due course (whatever that means to a politician). I intend to keep plugging away at him till he does.

I would suggest that all our MPs should be challenged to respond on this, so they know they are dealing with a large public backlash, which may cost significant loss of votes at next year's polls, should they fail to act.

This is a case for the bulldog approach:-

Find an arse (there are plenty to choose from at Westminster)
Sink the teeth in hard
Shake vigorously till they stop wriggling.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:41 PM

I am minded to say that if that is as many people as can be bothered to sign the Downing Street petitions, may the non-signers have the old ages they deserve.

It is, frankly, apalling that so few people will support this rare nurse who stood up for the elderly in her care.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:44 PM

I signed the Downing St petition but drew the line at asking for the people on the panel who struck her off to be struck off in turn the old '2 wrongs' I suppose

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 03:07 PM

I have signed 2 of the petitions and joined the facebook group but like Emma B I will not sign the petition asking for other people to be struck off; they may well have been following guidelines that they can do little about.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 07:03 PM

That's fair comment folks.

What is needed is fair treatment for Margaret Haywood, NOT revenge.

Don T

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 07:07 PM

I would like to know why, in direct contravention of standard operating procedures, this panel was allowed to strike off a nurse anonymously.

Their names should have been appended to the decision, according to their own rules.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: cptsnapper
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 12:27 AM

All three signed.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 12:31 AM

Done!

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Penny S.
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 02:43 PM

I signed all except the vengeful one.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 04:22 PM

You go girl.


A nurse friend of mine witnessed abuse of patients at a hospital in Rochester NY. Things like beating patients with hair brushes.
I gave a camera to the nurse who worked at a NYS mental hospital and presented them to a local benefactor families who had family in that hospital.

After the media barrage, heads rolled and new rules were made.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,John Aitken
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 02:58 AM

This example shows all that is bad about Britain to-day.

Ordinary people can only get angry about it.

We have no champions fighting for or causes, Margaret's case being a typical example.

Who has the guts to stand up and shout for ordinary people?

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Gweltas
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 08:15 AM

I've signed as nr 132 and nr 879 on two of the petitions, but I draw the line at signing the "revenge" petition. I've also "expanded" Richard Bridge's e-mail (Thanks Richard!)as follows, and mailed it.

I believe the decision that you took in striking off Nurse Margaret Haywood was utterly unjust both professionally and morally. What she did was to highlight bad practice. In disciplining her you are in effect condoning such practices. This appallingly unjust decision should be urgently reviewed and reversed.
Failure to do so will create a climate of fear among all patients, both in care and needing to enter care homes, and also their families. It will also serve to stifle any future attempt at whistleblowing, where normal channels have been exhausted.
You also need to urgently create a system where whistle blowers are listened to and their information speedily acted upon, without them being in fear of losing their posts and being struck off the register.
Speaking as a pensioner, I feel strongly that my right to "confidentiality" should never ever be used as an excuse to supercede my right to proper care, delivered with kindness.
It is a woeful reflection on any organisation that in effect protects itself and colludes at continuing bad practice by penalising the whistle blower. Your actions have sent a clear message to all future would be whistle blowers that they risk their careers if they dare to speak out.
Cllr.Anne Kennedy Truscott.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Rocky612
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 06:37 AM

What a travesty - reinstate her immediately and let's
bring common sense back into our society.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 07:44 PM

Any petition for Margaret Heywood to be included on the next Honours List for services to the NHS and to her patients?

I would read the call for sacking the people who made the decision to strike her off the nursing register not so much as vengeful, but rather as reflecting the self-evident truth that they are pretty clearly not people who can be relied upon to exercise authority on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and that accordingly they should be removed from that position before they can do any more harm.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,J E Smith, Hampshire
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 06:30 AM

I fully support the action that you took, Ms Heywood. Keep on fighting and take your case to the House of Lords and then Europe if necessary. You will win in the end and justice will be done.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: GUEST,Margaret Jones Staffordshire
Date: 04 May 09 - 10:49 AM

As Margaret Haywood has been struck of for misconduct will staff at Stafford hospital be charged with manslaughter? At 62 in the Stafford catchment area I feel vunerable. Many more nursing staff need to show the courage Margaret has shown or my life may be in danger. Each member of nursing and management staff need to take responsibily for the failures of care. Please reinstate Margaret as we need caring proffesionals desperately.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Emma B
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 12:13 PM

"A nurse who was struck off the register for secretly filming care for the elderly at a Brighton hospital has won her battle to return to work.

The High Court approved a settlement between Margaret Haywood and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The striking-off order imposed in April this year will be replaced with a one-year caution, which means she can now work as a nurse."

BBC News today

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 01:12 PM

Good news.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 01:33 PM

Not good enough, but better than bad.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 01:39 PM

I don't suppose they've done anything about getting rid of the incompetant fools who who struck her off, and disgraced the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

And has anythiong happened to the people who were revealed to be mistreating patients, and to their managers?

"The RCN said it considered the matter satisfactorily resolved." That isn't how it looks to me, and I am sure to most people who think that Margaret Haywood should have been thanked rather than penalised.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 02:11 PM

I think it's appalling!

I missed this, first time round, Richard, so thank you for updating the thread...

Geez, what kind of people are running the NHS these days? And WHAT is wrong with the Royal College of Nursing??????

Have the people who were mistreating the elderly been sacked and brought to justice?

Have those who stopped Margaret from nursing been similarly dealt with?

And how about those who don't provide enough nurses, so that those who are 'on the ground' are so often left to deal with an overwhelming responsibility?

So, let me get this straight...she's exposed ill treatment of patients and for that she was suspended, had her job taken away, possibly indefinitely, despite a TWENTY FIVE YEAR unblemished record...and NOW 'they' have told her that she *can* go back to work, but under *caution* for a YEAR?????

And THAT is Justice?

This stinks!

It stinks of the same smell that pervades the Wall to Wall Carpeted Corridors of those in Torbay Care Trust who refuse to answer criticism and explain their appalling decisions.

The woman is a Hero/Heroine....and she should damn well have been give promotion and a big pay off taken *directly* out of the fat cat salaries of the Cheshire Cats Corps who run the whole bloody world these days.

We have TRULY lost our marbles if we think this is a decent outcome...
If I were her, I'd be so enraged that I'd tie myself to the railings of the Houses of Parliament!

Sheesh!

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 02:47 PM

I agree with Lizzie. The *caution* is a stinking compromise. They should have climbed down completely and reinstated her absolutely UNCONDITIONALLY, with an apology for their initial decision. This compromise is a pusillanimous COPOUT, IMO!

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 03:21 PM

Render unto Caesar. It was Emma B who permitted the feline to exit the sack.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 03:40 PM

Oh, so it was. Well done, Emma.

(Emma loves it when I get it arse over whatsit, so don't worry, Richard!) ;0) LOL

Still doesn't change the fact...Margaret's been sold down the river..

Ring her up, Richard, and offer to be a REAL lawyer for her, and get The Bad Guys once and for all.

Who ARE these people who make these terrible decisions?   And..why does everyone seem to accept it, grovelling their thanks instead of shouting to the rooftops?

I don't understand what's happened to people these days, I really don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 03:51 PM

I can only guess, but if I rmember correctly, Margaret Haywood's appeal was funded by the RCN, who are not the richest of the unions, and their usual lawyers at least used to be Charles Russell, who while not Links or Herbert Smith still charge (IMHO) like wounded rhinos, so the usion is likely to have threatened to withdraw funding if a "reasonable" compromise was offered.

If a deal has been signed off, it has been singed off and that is that.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 04:01 PM

Well, the RCN should be hanging their heads in shame about this. They should have taken to the streets over it, and told people the names of those who are responsible...

It's as if we, as a Nation, have been mentally beaten into submission by The Invisible Them....

This is not what my Dad went to war for..and the sooner we all get damn angry about the terrible injustices that are happening, the better we'll all be!

I was reading an article by a Varicos Vein specialist today, from last year, where he was saying how corrupt it is that the NHS no longer treats this particular problem, when it causes such distress to so many. They stopped it because of the money, and for no other reason, without any thought for the patients, yet again....

And this is another example. An example of a Good Spirit standing up for her patients, because she cared for them and was horrified at what was going on and everyone else has made her climb down and accept total shit.

It's shaming.

It's shamaing to the Royal College of Nursing, it's shaming to the NHS and it's shaming to the lawyers who refused to put aside their gross fees and stand up for this woman and what she was saying.

One day, they'll be old too...and I can only hope that the Bastards & Bitches involved in all of this are similarly treated in the way those patients were, because ONLY then will these selfish prats realise what Margaret was trying to do...and that was to speak for those without a voice, to protect those who were under attack from lack of care.

The absolute pigs who are bringing down the NHS, and they ARE, should be shot up to the moon in the next 'water rocket' and blasted into the Dark Side of it, where we will never be troubled by them and their sort ever again..

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 06:36 PM

Varicose veins are not usually deadly.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Emma B
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 07:01 PM

(Emma loves it when I get it arse over whatsit, so don't worry, Richard!) ;0) LOL

sure do lizzie!

Now about this varicose veins policy......

I have read the Daily Mail article Why won't the NHS treat varicose veins any more?
from last year

But!

I've also read The NHS policy on this issue which states quite simply

'The NHS will not pay for surgery for cosmetic reasons alone'

For further information on the full range of treatment that is available on the NHS check their web site
here

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 08:14 PM

Both my parents had varicose veins removed in the 50's ( remember, when we had a National Health Service) In my Mum's case the benefits were certainly far more than cosmetic. The condition doesn't seem to be so common nowadays, otherwise I'm sure there'd be a greater outcry.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Emma B
Date: 12 Oct 09 - 09:02 PM

Varicose veins are common in people over the age of 50 -- according to some studies almost 50% of people in this age group have varicose veins in one form or another.

Like many medical conditions, aging and normal wear and tear on the body is a major factor, and there is not much you can do about getting older.
So over the age of 50, it may just be necessary to have to face the facts that varicose veins might begin to appear as your veins stretch and lose elasticity.

In many cases, varicose veins are purely a cosmetic issue

They often cause few signs or symptoms. If signs and symptoms are minor, a doctor may suggest simply making lifestyle changes or prescribe compression stockings

Modern medicine has brought new treatments other than surgery but even this procedure does not promise the lifelong disappearance of varicose veins. It removes only existing veins and does nothing to prevent other veins from causing future problems

Even in America, where insurance can cover some elective surgery, patients are usually advised that varicose veins will probaly NOT be covered by insurance when, as in most cases, it is strictly a cosmetic issue.

Both in America AND under the NHS medically necessary procedures are treated by a number of methods that may well not involve surgery.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 04:00 AM

Emma, I've no hang up with the Daily Mail or any other papers, so long as they report the truth....I've never judged people by the papers they read, as so many seem to on here...Weird hang up that one...

If you read that article, which I happened to find 'out of the blue' by the way....you'll see the surgeon's story...

Varicose Veins Surgery

And from that article...

"Routine operations for complaints such as varicose veins are being cut back to save the NHS money, leaving patients having to put up with the agonising condition or pay for expensive private treatment. It's just privatisation by stealth, says Eddie Chaloner, a consultant vascular surgeon at Lewisham Hospital — and once again, it's the patient who suffers.

Every week we hear yet more stories about the rationing of life-saving drugs for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.

But these are just the tip of the iceberg: there are also thousands of patients missing
out on the surgery they need, thanks to the stealthy rationing of such treatment.

And what makes this even more unacceptable is that Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) seem to be trying to cover it up.

My speciality is varicose veins — admittedly, these are not life-threatening, but they're
still a debilitating, chronic and often extremely painful condition.

And yet many GPs are being told not to refer patients for treatment. Even more worrying, PCTs are also telling me to 'bounce' back referral letters to the GP — in other words, I'm being told to refuse to see patients.
Of course I don't bounce back these patients. But even if I do see them, only when a patient has signs of severe skin damage or a leg ulcer will a PCT sanction surgery.

The people most often affected by the condition have jobs that involve a lot of standing — policemen, schoolteachers, hairdressers and cleaners.
Their condition has a huge impact on their everyday working lives, causing them severe discomfort from the relentless aching and throbbing of their legs.

And yet I'm being told to send them home with nothing more than a packet of compression stockings —that's because PCTs define surgery as any kind of treatment, from traditional, open surgery to lasers and injections.

No wonder I have witnessed a 70 per cent drop in patients having surgery in the past 18 months.

The fact is that compression stockings are an unsustainable short-term fix since they're impossible for an active person to wear for any length of time.

The irony is that varicose veins are eminently treatable.

The NHS is taking another furtive step towards privatisation, says consultant vascular surgeon Eddie Chaloner
Patients prepared to put up a fight for surgery can have their case considered by an exceptional treatment panel — but all 25 patient application forms I have submitted in the past 18 months have been rejected.

By arbitrarily taking operations off the menu, the NHS is simply taking another furtive step towards privatisation.

The only option for patients is to wait until their legs are bad enough to be considered for surgery (around a third will — by which time they will be in severe discomfort).

Alternatively, they can find the £2,500 or more to have the operation privately.

It's not just surgery for varicose veins that's being restricted — uncomplicated hernias are another.
What infuriates me is that the health economists responsible for this policy hide behind those at the coal face of clinical care; they expect us to break the bad news to the patient.

To ration treatment and tie a surgeon's hands at a time when medical science can offer successful solutions is hard enough for a GP to swallow.

But forcing patients to put up with their condition is yet another hammer blow to a health service that once promised so much and now, thanks to NHS bureaucrats."


Apologies for the slight thread drift here, Richard.


Emma, Gareth Rees, for whom I used to work, once the Head Cardiothoracis Surgeon at Bart's Hospital, had to threaten to resign after the Cheshire Cats wanted to put dental patients in with his post-op heart surgery patients. He tried to tell them about the HUGE risk of cross-infection this would cause, but they refused to listen.
So, he wrote out his resignation, handed it in, then came over to me, in his private rooms in Upper Wimpole Street, and cried.

Do you know why he cried?

He cried because every single day he was now having to fight a battle with bloody 'managers' and accountants, and other people too who had NOTHING to do with the medical side of the NHS. They made these appalling decisions AGAINST the advice and desperate pleas of the Doctors, Surgeons and Nurses themselves, because ALL they were/are interested in is ticking their bloody tick boxes about saving costs...

Of course, they refused his resignation, having had more shite put up them by Gareth's colleague, Dr. Roworth Spurrell, the Chief Cardiologist of Bart's also threatening to resign if this crazy idea went ahead. Gareth and Roworth worked together in the NHS and in the Private sector too, where I worked for them both.

Doctors and Nurses have to be pushed beyond their limits before they go to the press. Hell, that is NOT why they go to work each day! They go to work to make people's lives better. They do go to work to SAVE people's live, remove the pain, and if they can't...then they help them to die with dignity.

Margaret blew the whistle on some terrible things that were going on, because she CARED about her patients and she was horrified at what was happening. This morning, on the BBC she has said how fast those things were put right after she went to the Panorama programme.....yet she has been treated in a disgusting manner!

She has been villified by people 'at the top' who have put her through a terrible, stressful time and tried to damage her 25 year career, a career which has been totally unblemished throughout all that time, because this woman is a natural nurse, one who lives and breathes for her patients...

The NHS is about caring for patients, first and foremost. And once, most decisions within it were made by the Matron and the rest of her team, the majority of whom were all from the medical side.

And if you read that article, you'll see that surgeon is complaining that the NHS will now ONLY treat varicose veins when they have become a very severe problem, where once, they prevented those problems from occuring because prompt action was taken.

It was done to save money. Nowt else. It was not done with the patients interest at heart, and the 'cosmetic' reason is a total red herring, put there to try and make people feel that they are vain about their veins, rather than address a very common problem which affects so many. If it did not affect so many people, the bean counters would have left that part of the NHS remain, but by convincing people that most varicose vein operations are for vanity, they created a situation where people backed down.....

Just like with Vi's bath handles....."Well, you can buy them yourself, dear"

Just like with bathing patients at home...."Well, you can pay for that yourself, dear"

And meanwhile, most of the NHS staff are letting it happen, becausse they are too damned worn out with caring to stand up and take action against these bloody bullies who are ruining our once wonderful health care 'caring' system, which is now becoming more and more streamlined, more and more narrowed...

If the Daily Mail, or anyone else is prepared to blow the whistle on that, as Margaret has done, then bloody good on them for doing so!

This is NOT about the Daily Mail, Emma, one of your pet hates, but it IS about strong people standing up and saying "this is WRONG!"...and doing so knowing that they are, these days, putting their jobs and reputations at risk, because all that can be done, will be done, to undermine such brave people.

Ask yourself why?

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 08:22 PM

I just don't trust the Daily Mail as a reliable source of information. It's not a matter of politics as such - I would trust Daily Telegraph on matters of fact.

Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 Oct 09 - 11:28 AM

Newspapers don't present facts - they present a selection of facts. Not the same thing