The start of a new era in the NHS. An all singing, all dancing 10 year plan to cure all ills.

Based on preventative testing and early diagnosis. Testing will be done in new diagnostic centres at the behest of GP’s. All much quicker and avoiding unnecessary referrals to hospitals. Sounds good so far😀

Now I have recently had an early experience of this process ahead of the launch of the heralded new 10 year plan. It reflects well on the NHS, but highlights the substantial resources required.

I went to my GP for a routine annual review of my medication. I only take 5 pills a day, which I think is pretty low for my age 😀 Whilst there I mentioned I had a bit of a cough a month or two ago, but it was OK now. Obviously I was asked about my smoking habits and reassured her I haven’t smoked for over 30 years. My diligent GP recommended I get a blood test; an ECG and a chest X-ray, in case I had ☹️,just as a precaution. (1receptionist, 1 GP, 1pharmacist )

So the very same day I went for a routine blood test at the walk- in centre at my local hospital. Spoke to a volunteer who checked me in and told me to see the receptionist who checked my appointment and moved me on to the phlebotomist who extracted a sample of blood and sent me on my way. (1 volunteer, 1 receptionist, I X-ray assistant and 1 radiologist)

A few days later a letter arrived with an appointment for my chest X-ray, so I trotted off to the hospital again. Spoke to the receptionist who directed me straight through to the X-ray assistant and in less than five minutes it was completed and passed to the radiologist. (1 booking administrator,1 receptionist, 1 X-ray assistant, 1radioligist )

In the meantime I saw the Practice nurse at the GP surgery for the ECG. After looking at the graphs she consulted another GP who confirmed the results were OK. (1 Practice nurse, 1GP )

Only a few days later all the results were through and I went to see the GP again to discuss the outcome. The good news was the ECG was fine and the blood tests confirmed I haven’t got heart failure. PHEW! Neither had I got a kidney problem, although I was “ boarder-line” OOPS. My risk of diabetes is elevated so I need to keep it under review FINGERS CROSSED THEN.

Diseases – diabetes boarderline ,,, heart failure. Kidney infection asthemea. Cancer

Occupations nurse , doctor , receptionist, radiologist, GP , flobotomist , X-ray assistant. CT SCAN ASSISTANT, CT SCAN NURSE, Respiratory consultant, resp nurse,