NHS problems, new chair and ABCs

25/26 March 2013

And another week begins and by the sound of it, it will be another cold one again.  At some point however, I shall need to get out and do some shopping.  I would prefer it if we could get out together but right now we are waiting for a new leather swivel/recliner chair to be delivered so one of us really needs to be here in case it arrives.  Now here's the rub - this morning's News carries a story saying that the store we bought it from on the 18th has closed down.  Management are refuting the story but as we have £400+ tied up there we are getting more than a tad nervous.  I've rang them this morning and had to leave an answer phone message.  Maybe I shall be going down to see them later today.  If I go down in the Golf I might actually be able to drive away with it.  Thing is though, we have paid for delivery and for them to take a huge leather chair away with them.  We'll see ... ... ...

I stopped there to get lunch and watch the news.  After that I went off shopping, calling in at the furniture store on the way.  I was assured that our new chair will arrive next week or the week after; again, we'll see ... ... ...

We're not happy right now!  Jan answered the phone yesterday evening only to find out that mother has been discharged from the Hussy and returned the care home.  Jan went up to see her and said she was not good at all.  I'm going up later today.  I think a letter will be winging its way the Hussy boss later after I have seen her.  And talking of hospitals ...

Did you see the Despatches programme last night?  If not I would encourage you to watch it on catch-up TV.  It was about the long hours that junior doctors are expected to work.  One of the two they followed for a week worked seven straight night shifts totally 107 hours, and average of 15 hours a night.  Sometime this month he is expected to o 12 straight night shifts totalling around 130 hours.  With these sorts of hours I'm surprised that there are fewer Mid Staffs situations all over the UK.  From our own recent experience we know there is a real shortage of staff at the Hussy.  One night while Jan was in recently there was one nurse and three auxiliaries to a ward of nearly 30 patients.  It is just not possible for one nurse to care properly for so many patients, not matter the management might say!  But hay ho ... why should we be surprised by that?  We still have a Tory lead government don't we?     

Two stories in the News this morning; the first is the finding of 50 wire snares on a popular dog walking route here in Weddington.  They were found when one dog walker found a rabbit caught in one of them.  She called on fellow dog walkers to help find more of them while she called the police.  The police arrived along with someone from the RSPCA.  The land is owned by the council but even so, I can't see how they will prevent more traps being set later.  Rabbit stew is popular and there's no stopping people from catching them, even if their methods are not legal!

The second story is that youths in two problem areas of the town, Camp Hill and Kingswood have been signing up to ABCs, or Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.  It's a good idea on paper of course but come on, surely they don't expect them to be complied with?  These youths know full well that if they don't and end up in court they will walk out half hour later laughing at their slapped wrists.       

So now to find a photo ... 

right, this one is of Jan and our daughter when we went over to Antrim to see them.

And a funny ...

A young family are driving along behind a garbage truck when suddenly a 12" dildo falls off it and thuds onto their windscreen.  Embarrassed, and to spare her six year old son's innocence, the mother turns and says; "Don't worry, that was just an insect".
"An insect?" he replies, "I'm surprised it could get off the ground with a cock like that"....