It seems almost impossible, these days, to turn on the national news without hearing about the woes besetting the NHS; and, in particular, the financial problems facing the various trusts. So, with that in mind (and based on recent personal experiences), I thought I would offer my two pennies' worth.
Firstly, I don't understand why it seems necessay to send patients copies of letters which hospital consultants send to GPs. Although, on second thoughts, I probably do understand the reason; it's a PC Bigade inspired piece of nonsense called Freedom of Information. IMHO, if a patient is sufficiently curious to know what has been written, an appointment with their GP would enable them to be told what the consultant has reported. The amount of money wasted on postage doesn't bear thinking about.
Another factor which has grabbed my attention, recently, is the amount of (again IMHO) unnecessary packaging which the pharmaceutical industry is using for their products. For example, for over thirty years, my glaucoma has been kept under control though the daily application of eye-drops from a small plastic bottle (see below - left). Click on photos to enlarge.
Firstly, I don't understand why it seems necessay to send patients copies of letters which hospital consultants send to GPs. Although, on second thoughts, I probably do understand the reason; it's a PC Bigade inspired piece of nonsense called Freedom of Information. IMHO, if a patient is sufficiently curious to know what has been written, an appointment with their GP would enable them to be told what the consultant has reported. The amount of money wasted on postage doesn't bear thinking about.
Another factor which has grabbed my attention, recently, is the amount of (again IMHO) unnecessary packaging which the pharmaceutical industry is using for their products. For example, for over thirty years, my glaucoma has been kept under control though the daily application of eye-drops from a small plastic bottle (see below - left). Click on photos to enlarge.
In recent times, however (see above - centre), the liquid has been packaged in individual plastic capsules, which have been packaged in a sealed plastic container, which has been packaged in a cardboard box. Oh, and I mustn't forget the piece of cardboard into which I'm expected to insert the aforementioned capsules to remind me what day it is; together with a fair-sized piece of paper telling me the bl***ing obvious.. Similarly, I fail to see any logic in placing seven capsules (of another medication) in a piece of plastic designed to hold ten (above - right). Pathetic!
