On being busy, getting busier, and A&E problems

23 May 2013

Some days we get very busy; normally that's how it feels but in reality it's just us pottering about doing nowt much at all.  Yesterday was such a day.  By the time we had watched Helicopter Heroes it was time for us to get ready for our ride into town.  We didn't actually need anything but we still spent a load of dosh though.  I spent most on two Les Mis DVDs (the drama version and the musical), and the Hugo book.  I've read Monte Cristo but haven't seen Les Mis before in paperback.  Now I can read that one too.  A big read though, over 1200 pages!

We are going to be even more busy over the next three weeks, so much so that I'm not sure I will be able to post any Dorktown Musings for the whole period.  I shall certainly be making an effort to do so but if not, now you will know why beforehand.

As we lay in bed reading last night we heard the letterbox to the flat upstairs being rattled.  I was getting more and more pee'd off with it because I couldn't see any reason for it.  Then it struck me; are they dealing drugs up there?  So the next time it happened I went to our front door to keep an eye on the stair way through the spy hole.  No-one came back down so we're no wiser as to what is happening up there.  The tenet is a single man called Mark.  He's very poorly really both medically and mentally.  I'm hoping that others have not taken him in and are abusing his trust.  I can't see that there's not much we can do even if they have though.  

A letter has been sent from most of the NHS trusts within the West Midlands claiming that the A&E services are at breaking point.  The Hussy is one of three trusts who didn't sign the letter.  Strange that because they are struggling just as all the others are.  What I find strange up there is that there seems to be a continuing programme of building works going on.  At some point they will stop I'm sure; hopefully the situation there will improve somewhat then. 

It seems that the problems with A&E are actually a nationwide issue with most GP practices no longer provide an overnight call out service.  Here in Dorktown we have an out of hours service based at the Hussy.  To be seen there you need to phone them before you arrive.  A lot of people seem to be being sent round to A&E from there.  So what's the point of going there in the first place?  Many people are going straight to A&E as their first port of call.  It all seems crazy to me.

Anyway ... today's photo is another candid shot in Dorktown centre ...

And again the Sage speaks ...

A man and a woman were having a quiet, romantic dinner in a fine restaurant. They were gazing lovingly at each other and holding hands.
The waitress, taking another order at a table a few steps away, suddenly noticed the man slowly sliding down his chair and under the table, but the woman acted unconcerned.
The waitress watched as the man slid all the way down his chair and out of sight under the table. Still, the woman appeared calm and unruffled, apparently unaware her dining companion had disappeared.
The waitress, thinking this was a bit risqué behaviour that might offend other diners, went over to the table and tactfully, began by saying to the woman, "Pardon me, ma'am , but I think your husband just slid under the table."
The woman calmly looked up at her and said, "No, he didn't. He just walked in the door."