Special powers for Matron!!

[dralex]

I heard on the news this moring that Matrons are to get " SPECIAL POWERS" to combat hospital acquired infections. DOes anybody know what these powers will be, does it need contact with Kryptonite and does it make matrons eligible for the next installment of X Men?

 

[jhr]

I believe they are proposing to show pictures of Hattie Jacques to anybody who thinks they may be acquiring an antibiotic-resistant infection. The idea is that this will either kill them on the spot, or give them something really serious to worry about, rather than some footling little infection.

Well; wouldn't you be scared?

PS. Apparently, Kenneth Williams never actually said "Oooh, Matron"! in any of the Carry On films. Not a lot of people know that.............

 

[Ohdrat]

It's actually a spelling mistake and should read Special Powders... mostly bleach I understand..

 

[Cutter]

It means that "matrons" can spread the beds further apart and get curtains replaced more frequently than every 6 months and get the floors properly cleaned BUT ONLY if it comes from a non-existant budget or through a "cash-effeciency-savings" which means sacking nurses or replacing qualified nurses with "health care assisstants".
We have had 2% taken out of our budget each year (for the last 15 I can remember) so are now so efficient we can do everything with nothing. I am in theatre this morning and have just used a retractor with the Professor of Surgerys name on it. Only trouble was that the died in 1965 and we are still using the retractor. It was made in Sheffield and is a fine piece of kit but let that not detract from my rant!!!

 

[iangrant]

It's about time the Health service gave control back to medical people not Bl**dy civil servant type administrators.

Sorry, I just had to say that bit.

Ian

 

[Rowana]

[ QUOTE ]
I am in theatre this morning and have just used a retractor with the Professor of Surgerys name on it. Only trouble was that the died in 1965 and we are still using the retractor. It was made in Sheffield and is a fine piece of kit but let that not detract from my rant!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sure it's a fine piece of kit, but what would you be supplied with now?? Made in Korea perhaps, or even some sort of "modern" material??

I'd stick with the Sheffield made things myself.

I agree with your rant, everything revolves around "budgets" and "effiency" Etc. nowadays. I blame computers for giving "bean counters" too much power. Once upon a time British busineses and institutions were run by people who understood what was required, but now its the said "bean counters" that run things. The sooner we get them back in their corners counting beans, the better ! !

 

[RupertW]

Doctors and nurses are often great when they're actually in contact with patients but can be back in the dark ages when it comes something as simple as fair and quick booking systems, or getting people in and out of A&E quickly (5 mins medical contact, 5 hours waiting for test results to be moved from one trolley to another).

Each to their own - and anyone who runs their own business knows that you need somebody to kick arse and that your technical experts are usually the last people you'd chose to run the company.

Of course there are a lot of bureaucrats where there should be dynamic managers - but if you really took the managers away you'd be back to the bad old days of 4 years being bumped down lists for hernia ops, whilst Mr HighnMighty, the surgeon, keeps his juniors working all hours and his private list nice and long and lucrative

Oh, and my perspective on this (and I just know how popular this will be) - I'm a management consultant working with the NHS on getting the patients needs first, rather than the staff's.

 

[Cornishman]

Whoaaa! There's nothing like an angry matron in full flight - all starched headgear and black stockings. Even the MRSA bugs will flee in fear. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Superstrath]

Well said, RupertW. Nail on head. It goes further than the NHS of course - if decent managers were put into most areas of the civil service then there could be massive savings and improvements in service.

 

[Sailfree]

Show me any organisation where people are paid on a fixed salary scale and you will have inefficiencies galore. Organisations have to be able to pay the more able, hardworking more than those that just add to the numbers. The system itself becomes a disincentive to those that may initially start keen and hardworking.

 

[dralex]

Agreed- It's not just about patient needs Rupert W- that's the attitude that loses staff- it's not all about money either, it's about working conditions and resources and making staff feel they are in a postion to give patients the best possible care without chasing your tail for days. This was not meant as a political comment, just a humorous observation on a headline.

BTW- managers have a definate positive place and they too are constrained in what they can do. I am not anti manager, but a lot of the time they are driven by financial constraints and not best patient care.

This is so NB it's unreal. Sorry guys.

 

[Rowana]

Why be sorry?

We can all have a jolly good discussion (?) on matters non-boaty and it gives those of us who have no REAL idea as to what is going on in the NHS (and other areas), a chance to hear the views from the horse's mouth.

Is that not what shufflebut is all about??

Keep it up, and more power to your elbow, I say ! !

( I have to say that - Going to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary tomorrow to get my ticker checked out - Leaking valve deduced so far, but have to see specialist to see what he makes of it. ) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[dralex]

True- good point.
Hope it goes OK tomorrow. PM me if you have need anything putting into plain English ( SCottish) afterwards
Alex

 

[Cutter]

Rupert
For my sins I am clinical director and therefore count as 'management' when heads are counted. Good - enlightened - management is essential and there are some who are in the NHS. Many are not as the pay, conditions and facilities are poor compared to private sector. My best two both left, burnt out by a relentless tide of undoable missives from above. On the clinical side we are protected, to some extent, by patient contact and there is nothing better (other than casting off from the marina) than going to theatre - especially if the patient was able to get in, the anaesthetist turns up, the thetare staff I have never met before has my instruments and we dont have a fire alarm!!
Keep up the good work and may all your breaches be small ones! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[paulineb]

I wondered why you were called Cutter /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif - I thought it may be something to do with a sailboat.

PS ..... any chance of a freebie tummy tuck ?

 

[tome]

You want to watch yourself Pauline, he's got awfully shaky hands!

 

[Peppermint]

Re: It\'s a right carry on

The way the Beeb is reporting it matron's will be able to close wards if they're dirty.

It might just be me but I'd have thought closing wards because they're dirty might quickly spiral into a carpark full of impatient patients. Surely cleaning not closing is whats required.

 

[paulineb]

erm, how did you find that out ?

 

[Bergman]

I enjoyed your rant, and having been on the receiving end of your colleagues a couple of times in the last few years I am inclined to echo your sentiments.

However

The 2% year on year cuts would appear to be completely at odds with the year on year increases in Government spending on NHS. While there is no contest on whose credibility has the best standing, is there a simple explanation?

 

[tome]

Watched him trying to bring a glass to his mouth. His condition worsened as the evening wore on. Sad, so very sad...