At one time, not so long ago, our NHS was a rock of safe and sound health care other nations wanted to emulate! Unfortunately this high standard has been slowly but surely eroded so much during the last decade or two that many elderly people are reluctant to be admitted, many considering it melancholy choice, one way ticket to hell!
Recent outbreak of listeria in Manchester NHS hospitals has been branded as national scandal, resulting in death of five patients, salads and sandwiches being responsible for food poisoning.
Although listeria may cause mild stomach upset in healthy people, it is more serious in hospital patients whose immune system may already be down due to illness, especially for elderly patients.
No wonder Health Secretary Matt Hancock ordered urgent review of hospital food standard, root and branch investigation, to make it as safe as possible.
While it happened way back in April, Public Health authority in England has been accused of keeping public in dark, refusing to pinpoint which hospitals have been affected, holding back details of the outbreak.
One way to keep hospital patients safe is not to give them cold food, such as salads and sandwiches which needs to be kept at low temperature but piping hot food such as tea, coffee and hot milk with cereals, toasts for breakfast and soups, hot food and sweet dishes for lunch and dinner.
One case of consolation for British Indian community is that meat is by far the most likely food to be contaminated rather than vegetarian food. So being a vegetarian is distinct advantage!
Unfortunately food and hygiene is not the only cause of concern. The staff shortages of nurses, Junior Doctors and Consultants have also played a part in lowering of health care standard, as well as life longevity with ever rising elderly population.
Even occasional rogue nurses, as well as surgeons who carried out unnecessary mastectomy have also contributed in the increase of mistrust in NHS, as well as culture of silence, covering up scandals and punishing whistle blowers.
It is indeed a cause of concern when comparing safety, reliability and standard of our NHS with that of France, Germany and Scandinavian countries where there is no waiting list for operations such as hip replacement, as their NHS is partly funded by patients and they spend higher proportion of national GDP on health.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
