Thursday 2 March 2023

Credit where it is undoubtedly due.

 People do complain a lot about our NHS and I am sure a lot of the complaints are well justified.  Nurses are striking because they are not paid (or appreciated enough) for their caring and often exhausting work.   Ditto Ambulance Drivers and Junior Doctors;  waiting list are too long; operations are often postponed at the last minute.   I could go on.   But I won't. 

Last night I watched a programme on BBC2 - past my usually early bedtime - and how pleased I was to have watched it.   It restored my faith in Human Nature and showed me all that is still Good with a capital G in our NHS.

The Hospital was Leeds General Infirmary and the patient was Jamie - an early middle-aged man I would guess.   He was remarkably good-natured and up beat and - a single dad whose Mum seemed to look after his two delightful little girls - was obviously adored by all three.   He had lost both hands and both legs in an Industrial accident and was suddenly presented with two new hands donated by some kind and thoughtful man who had left his body to be used where possible when he no longer needed it.  Obviously time was of the essence and he was called in urgently.

What followed was (for me at any rate) an hour long programme devoted to the operation - with explanations here and there as to why other operations had to be postponed (two lovely young boys with cystic fibrosis - the first op took much longer than anticipated and the second boy had to be sent back home with a promised date a month later - both he and his dad took the explanation without complaint.)

But the compelling part was the ten hour operation - which had a team of 40 staff - to give Jamie new hands.   The operation was done by a charming and obviously deeply caring man (he even popped back to see Jamie mid-way through his six week holiday period to check on his progress and make sure things were going well ("I was worrying about him.  I'm a bit clingy to my patients").   His name was Professor Simon  Kay.   An ordinary looking chap - the kind you pass in the street every day and without a second glance.   Here, in his working environment, where those 40 folk working with him knew - and indeed saw - precisely what a fully remarkable man he was I would hazard a guess he was viewed almost with awe -and rightly so.

At the end of the hour we saw Jamie, after six weeks, going back home and greeted by his Mum and his two daughters 'squealing with delight' and jumping off the trampoline in their back garden (a safety one I hasten to  add) and he able to hold their hands and hug them.

Truly awe inspiring from beginning to end.   All I can say really is good luck to Jamie in the future.   As to Professor Kay - there are no words I can think of to express my admiration for this truly remarkable man.

 

23 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

The skills of medicine carry on everywhere everyday irrespective of the British NHS and will always do so. For example, doctors in Medicins sans Frontieres are performing miracles in battle fields around the world everyday.

Librarian said...

To give someone new hands is truly miraculous, same as what a 10 minute laser procedure has done to my eyes a few years back - maybe not quite as life-changing as Jamie's story.
My personal experience with the NHS is zero (hardly surprising, as I do not live in the UK), but if you ask our mutual blogging friend Graham, he will gladly join in the praise.

Susan said...

Medical science is amazing in many ways. Advancements are being made all the time. Dr. Kay is certainly a shining star(brilliant, highly skilled and compassionate) in the medical community.

Barbara Anne said...

Full marks, indeed!

Hugs!

Odd, the 1st time I hit 'publish', there was no robot thingie, but it appeared, so will hit 'publish' again.

Ellen D. said...

I often amazed at what medicine can do today.

Ellen D. said...

*I'm* (hate when I have typos ;)

Joan said...

I believe there are angels, both men and women, working for the NHS, some stand out more than others. In all the different departments I have been referred to they have all been caring, courteous and efficient and I don't find fault with any of them. The training they are given is exceptional.

Red said...

Amazing what can be done these days.

Will said...

With reference to battlefield medicine, one A&E consultant told me that most of the improvements in A&E trauma care are a consequence of dealing with battlefield casualties where time is of the essence.

hart said...

I did not know transplants like this were even possible. Wow.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Will - I often think that sadly many of the huge progresses we make in so many areas are made on the battlefield - drugs and operations being particularly so.
Rachel - My favourite charity - not only on battlefields but also in remote areas (measles and TB being examples)x

Heather said...

I have enormous respect for everyone in the NHS and know that I just could not do the job they do. I missed that programme but it must have been very moving.
The skill of surgeons has always been extended by what has been learned when treat injured servicemen. I remember watching an amazing programme about the work of a hospital in Ireland during the troubles. It made compelling viewing even though I had to have a break every now and then.

Joanne Noragon said...

Wonderful team of doctors, wonderful medicine.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I was in A&E recently: it was very crowded, the patients included two people who clearly had mental problems, a rough sleeper who'd been beaten up by thugs, a woman with learning difficulties who was wandering through doors marked Private and a very irate man (not me!) who was arguing with anyone who'd listen. Added to this there'd been a road accident and para-medics were wheeling casualties though the crowded waiting room on trolleys. Somehow the staff managed to retain their composure and treat everyone with courtesy and understanding. I don't know how they do it.

Granny Sue said...

Seconding John. Medical staff deserve our gratitude and respect. I would never in my life have been able to cope with what many of them see daily. And new hands! I did not even know that was possible. How I wish my son who died at 39 had signed the donor card. It would please me immensely to know that some part of him lived on.

Rachel Phillips said...

People don't complain about doctors, they complain about the infrastructure.

Cro Magnon said...

That is what the NHS is all about. What it shouldn't be about is the so-called over-paid 'management' and it's appalling waste. If that was cut out, there would be plenty of money for everything else.

Joy said...

That is so very heartwarming, thanks for sharing it. xx

Derek Faulkner said...

Cro has hit the nail on the head, so to speak, millions keep being pumped into the NHS but it never seems to get past the over inflated management level. People at that level forever seem to be creating jobs for themselves or their chums, none of which that seems to be improving things at lower levels.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story. I agree with Rachel, Cro and Derek -Pam.

Tom Stephenson said...

Hand transplants. That was science fiction not long ago. I agree with Rachel about the infrastructure.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks to you all. I think the problems are often compounded at the lower level - e g local surgeries, where the doctors are worked off their feet and often taking early retirement because they can't take it any more. Locals get frustrated because they can't get an appointment for three weeks and suchlike and yet the doctors are workedd off their feet - especially in places like here where I live - where folk retire to because the area is so picturesque. Ageing population spells hard work for G Ps

Pixie said...

Wow, what a wonderful story.