Tuesday 29 November 2016
NHS - Fit for Patients or Purpose?
I have a lot of experience of the NHS, both as a long term patient with chronic health conditions & working as a volunteer with the Expert Patient Programme, then a lay board member with Research for Patient Benefit.
If the Kings Fund think that "NHS funding is almost at breaking point" & that "budgets are not large enough to cover patient demand" & there is " extensive evidence that ineffective treatments are overused in the NHS" then I believe it.
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/impact-nhs-financial-pressures-patient-care/six-ways
Anecdotally I know people, including myself, who have gone undiagnosed & who have been prescribed medication in the hope that it will control symptoms - (this actually seems to be the default position. Hard pressed GP's don't have the time to do much else). There seems to be a general reluctance to refer patients to consultants. There also seems to be an over-reliance on test results within narrow boundaries, when it is known that real patients do present outside those boundaries yet still have the condition.
Patients have to be articulate & dogged nowadays. We need to be pro active about our own health. Not easy if you are actually ill. Also not easy to keep plugging away because you know that something is wrong but want to try to keep a good relationship with whichever GP you can get to see.
I'm at the tail end of 2 "viral infections" since mid October. The latest one caused my INR level to shoot up to so dangerous that I could have bled to death or been brain damaged if I had a fall. Finally the 4th doctor said she thought it was Viral Hepatitis. Fortunately I'm not given to panic.
I'm not knocking doctors - they do their very best with an increasingly clunking system. We need them & should value them.
I'm not even knocking politicians - although I think their efforts are worse than useless. I really don't think they have a clue.
But something needs to happen to make the NHS well again - for all our sakes.
Thursday 24 November 2016
Political "Truth"
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jun/26/people-spoken-brexit-did-media-tell-the-truth-eu-referendum
There has always been propaganda & half truths. Political commentators & leaders have always been economical with the truth. It has always been difficult to really know what the rights & wrongs of a decision would be. But there has been a radical change, led by Social Media.
Lying is the new truth. Lying is blatant & unrepented. Lying is expected & acceptable today. It's almost as if the public wants to be misled, wants to be in denial. The press & the media, with some notable exceptions, collude in a miasma of misinformation.
How on earth do we, the public, know who to believe, who to trust? The simple truth is that We Don't.
Truth is burning on the altar of democracy.
Tuesday 22 November 2016
Education - Learning & Teaching
I had a fairly conventional education for a woman of my generation. Primary school, Grammar school (fortunately), Teacher Training College (luckily degree equivalent). Then a professional career in Primary Education. I think I was lucky because I was only moderately bright. I was driven & hard working though. Nothing came easily.
But I really don't think that pathway "educated" me. I had a few inspirational teachers, but I also had some truly dreadful ones. I can't really say that I enjoyed my education - it was a means to an end - a good, professional job & a way out of working class "getting by".
Looking back I think the majority of my learning has been through people other than teachers & because of my own motivation to know about something I was interested in. Learning doesn't & shouldn't stop once you have reached a certian age or get a piece of paper. If you don't continue with "lifelong learning" you don't adapt to a changing world & doors are closed to you.
I imagine I must have taught my pupils some skills & bits of information. But I don't think we think enough about what the role of a teacher is & what any teacher can be expected to achieve given the huge spectrum of intelligence, application, interest, creativity & home background each child brings to school. If you really think about it it seems an almost impossible task to meet the needs of every child. One size does not fit all - but in the main, that's what we give them.
We need to refine what it is important that we do try to teach - at what point in a childs development. We need to decide what social, creative & physical skills we want to encourage. Finally we need a plan for how we do that to meet the needs of all children from the "special needs" to the "gifted" child.
Children really need to learn how to learn for themselves. In this technological age virtually all knowledge is available to them. They just have to know how to access it. Self motivated learning has a lifelong influence. Force feeding "education" is quickly forgotten. Good teachers are facilitators not indoctrinators.
http://collectivelyconscious.net/articles/teaching-children-how-to-think-instead-of-what-to-think/
But I really don't think that pathway "educated" me. I had a few inspirational teachers, but I also had some truly dreadful ones. I can't really say that I enjoyed my education - it was a means to an end - a good, professional job & a way out of working class "getting by".
Looking back I think the majority of my learning has been through people other than teachers & because of my own motivation to know about something I was interested in. Learning doesn't & shouldn't stop once you have reached a certian age or get a piece of paper. If you don't continue with "lifelong learning" you don't adapt to a changing world & doors are closed to you.
I imagine I must have taught my pupils some skills & bits of information. But I don't think we think enough about what the role of a teacher is & what any teacher can be expected to achieve given the huge spectrum of intelligence, application, interest, creativity & home background each child brings to school. If you really think about it it seems an almost impossible task to meet the needs of every child. One size does not fit all - but in the main, that's what we give them.
We need to refine what it is important that we do try to teach - at what point in a childs development. We need to decide what social, creative & physical skills we want to encourage. Finally we need a plan for how we do that to meet the needs of all children from the "special needs" to the "gifted" child.
Children really need to learn how to learn for themselves. In this technological age virtually all knowledge is available to them. They just have to know how to access it. Self motivated learning has a lifelong influence. Force feeding "education" is quickly forgotten. Good teachers are facilitators not indoctrinators.
http://collectivelyconscious.net/articles/teaching-children-how-to-think-instead-of-what-to-think/
Friday 18 November 2016
Hillary Clinton - Putting on the "Slap"
If you know me now it's hard to imagine I know, but I was once quite good looking. Tall, slim, mini skirted with long, wavy, auburn hair. In the 60s we all wore quite a lot of make up. I wouldn't have dreamt of going out in public without the full "Slap" on. Think Twiggy, with huge eyes accentuated by false eyelashes, eyeliner painstakingly applied & smudgy shadow. Pale skin & pale lipstick.
In my professional life too I wouldn't have gone to work without a "face" on. It's all about image. Your image of yourself & the image you present to the world. Clothes, makeup & accessories make women feel confident.
In some ways not a lot has changed, except that it has all become a vast industry & women have become the pawns of image makers, multi national companies & "so called" celebrities. Women are bombarded daily with glossy photos of "perfection" which they are persuaded to aspire to.
According to "The beauty Economy" report in September 2015 - "The beauty industry is worth £17 billion to the UK economy, and consumers are expected to spend an average of £342.90 (each) on beauty and skincare this year".
Body dismorphia is a problem & increasing numbers of women are having plastic surgery. According to the British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
The top surgical procedures for women in 2015 (46,526 total. A rise of 12.5% from 2014)
Women had 91% of all cosmetic procedures in 2015.
In order of popularity:
How delightful then to see Hillary Clinton bravely going to her first public engagement since the debacle of the US Presidential Elections without make up. She is 2 years younger than me, born in 1947. Needless to say the public reaction has been mixed. Personally I admire her hugely. Any woman in such a public position prepeared to "face down" the judgemental public in this way deserves to be applauded. It's literally a "Slap" in the Face to her detractors.
She's an amazing woman - Sadly their loss.
In my professional life too I wouldn't have gone to work without a "face" on. It's all about image. Your image of yourself & the image you present to the world. Clothes, makeup & accessories make women feel confident.
In some ways not a lot has changed, except that it has all become a vast industry & women have become the pawns of image makers, multi national companies & "so called" celebrities. Women are bombarded daily with glossy photos of "perfection" which they are persuaded to aspire to.
According to "The beauty Economy" report in September 2015 - "The beauty industry is worth £17 billion to the UK economy, and consumers are expected to spend an average of £342.90 (each) on beauty and skincare this year".
Body dismorphia is a problem & increasing numbers of women are having plastic surgery. According to the British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
The top surgical procedures for women in 2015 (46,526 total. A rise of 12.5% from 2014)
Women had 91% of all cosmetic procedures in 2015.
In order of popularity:
- Breast augmentation: 9,642 – up 12% from last year
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): 7,713 – up 12%
- Face/Neck Lift: 7,047 – up 16%
- Breast Reduction: 5,450 – up 13%
- Liposuction: 4,965 – up 20%
- Rhinoplasty: 3,393 – up 14%
- Fat Transfer: 3,001 – up 3%
- Abdominoplasty: 2,816 – up 8%
- Browlift: 1,946 – up 6%
- Otoplasty (ear correction): 553 – up 15%
How delightful then to see Hillary Clinton bravely going to her first public engagement since the debacle of the US Presidential Elections without make up. She is 2 years younger than me, born in 1947. Needless to say the public reaction has been mixed. Personally I admire her hugely. Any woman in such a public position prepeared to "face down" the judgemental public in this way deserves to be applauded. It's literally a "Slap" in the Face to her detractors.
She's an amazing woman - Sadly their loss.
Tuesday 15 November 2016
Being Unwell - Alone
When my husband was alive we always joked that he went into his Cave when he was ill. I think it's quite a common male phenomenon. He didn't want to be fussed over, he just wanted to be left alone - well that's what he said - I never quite believed it.
I'm the opposite, especially now I'm living a single life. I find it quite hard to be ill. Maybe it's partly because when you are older you are never quite sure what the end game is going to be & when it will happen.
I've been in my very comfortable cave for the best part of 5 days & have cancelled all but one thing in my diary because I've felt quite unwell. Some friends know that I am poorly, some don't. I'm certain all of my friends would care & if I asked for help they would if they could.
But I can function. I don't actually have any appetite, so food isn't a problem & anyway I have enough to keep me going for quite a while. If I had the energy to do anything I have plenty to occupy myself, but in fact I've spent a lot of time resting or reading.
I spoke to a triage doctor yesterday & got an appointment with my doctor today. My doctor thinks the mess of symptoms is a result of a viral infection exacerbating everything else that's wrong with me, but checked me out for a stroke. I don't think either of us think that is what's wrong, but if I'm not better by Thursday they'll do some blood tests. It's the second nasty viral infection since October, so I'm a bit p......off with it. In the meantime I have to cancel my diary, (already happened) & rest - not actually a problem, can't do anything else!
Actually I'm extremely lucky. I have friends. I have a daughter. I'm computer literate, so can run my life from home. I have a warm & comfortable home. I wear a phone linked alarm in the house & carry emergency medical information when I'm out. (The NHS is still one of the best healthcare systems in the world). I can pay people to do things for me if I need to. I'm able to live my life independently.
There are millions of people who are much, much worse off than I am. People in the UK as well as people in the developing world. I think that if we want to call ourselves a civilised society we have to understand & empathise better with people who are trying to cope alone. There are lots of charities to help single women & parents. There are also quite a few to help the elderly. Mostly these offer advice & financial support.
What we really need is a less insular society, neighbours who notice, people popping in, families keeping in contact regularly. That's what it was like in my childhood, but it seems as if it is lost for ever. Families are more dispersed & busy with their own lives. My generation's children's lives are busy & often complex. They are time poor & don't seem to feel the same sense of responsibility to ageing parents as my generation did. The situation isn't helped by the fact that people are far more mobile than previously, & move house more often, away from family & friends.
People like me don't want or need a "carer". We value our independence. But everything is easier to bear if you have someone to share it with who cares & takes the time to show it.
I'm the opposite, especially now I'm living a single life. I find it quite hard to be ill. Maybe it's partly because when you are older you are never quite sure what the end game is going to be & when it will happen.
I've been in my very comfortable cave for the best part of 5 days & have cancelled all but one thing in my diary because I've felt quite unwell. Some friends know that I am poorly, some don't. I'm certain all of my friends would care & if I asked for help they would if they could.
But I can function. I don't actually have any appetite, so food isn't a problem & anyway I have enough to keep me going for quite a while. If I had the energy to do anything I have plenty to occupy myself, but in fact I've spent a lot of time resting or reading.
I spoke to a triage doctor yesterday & got an appointment with my doctor today. My doctor thinks the mess of symptoms is a result of a viral infection exacerbating everything else that's wrong with me, but checked me out for a stroke. I don't think either of us think that is what's wrong, but if I'm not better by Thursday they'll do some blood tests. It's the second nasty viral infection since October, so I'm a bit p......off with it. In the meantime I have to cancel my diary, (already happened) & rest - not actually a problem, can't do anything else!
Actually I'm extremely lucky. I have friends. I have a daughter. I'm computer literate, so can run my life from home. I have a warm & comfortable home. I wear a phone linked alarm in the house & carry emergency medical information when I'm out. (The NHS is still one of the best healthcare systems in the world). I can pay people to do things for me if I need to. I'm able to live my life independently.
There are millions of people who are much, much worse off than I am. People in the UK as well as people in the developing world. I think that if we want to call ourselves a civilised society we have to understand & empathise better with people who are trying to cope alone. There are lots of charities to help single women & parents. There are also quite a few to help the elderly. Mostly these offer advice & financial support.
What we really need is a less insular society, neighbours who notice, people popping in, families keeping in contact regularly. That's what it was like in my childhood, but it seems as if it is lost for ever. Families are more dispersed & busy with their own lives. My generation's children's lives are busy & often complex. They are time poor & don't seem to feel the same sense of responsibility to ageing parents as my generation did. The situation isn't helped by the fact that people are far more mobile than previously, & move house more often, away from family & friends.
People like me don't want or need a "carer". We value our independence. But everything is easier to bear if you have someone to share it with who cares & takes the time to show it.
Thursday 10 November 2016
Populism, Politics & People
When you have lived for 70 years you have experienced the ups & downs of life. You have also been an observer of the World stage. I can remember the 3 day week & the lights going out in the Heath years. I can remember the divisive Thatcher years, which in my view set the stage for the 2008 Financial crisis, which is largely responsible for politics & life today.
We are now in a world of polarised, populist, politics. There is a war going on between extremes of authoritarianism, the right wing & the left wing, not to mention extremes of religion. Racism, Misogyny, Homophobia & Isolationism are rife in society. Tolerance of difference seems to have disappeared.
There is a dangerous disconnect between the rich & powerful & the working poor & middle class. There is also a disconnect between young & older people, who for the first time are less well off & less secure in their jobs, if they have one, & who have little chance of buying a home of their own. The rise of food banks shows just how difficult life is for the really poor, who are often also poorly educated. Who would have thought that child poverty would not have been stamped out in the so called "developed" world in the 21st century?
On the other hand the world seems to be ruled by multinational, global corporations & the "free market" economy. These often generate more income than whole countries & seem not to be held to account for their excesses.
Unemployment, the demise of manufacturing industries & poverty has led to male emasculation. The only place a man can be a man seems to be in the military. Maybe that explains our willingness to fight in the wars which have dogged us since Yugoslavia & the Arab Spring. Money can't be found for health care, education, the justice system etc. But it can always be found to fight a war.
No wonder the West is becoming more & more anti establishment. Fairness & equality of opportunity doesn't exist. People are fighting against a feeling of powerlessness. Brexit & the US Presidential election show that people do have power & can exercise it in a way which can be very detrimental to themselves.
The only bright spot is that the young seem to have found "politics". It is reminding me of my youthful activism in the 60s. The liberal democrat Bernie Sanders is 75 & could well have been the President elect with the huge support of young Americans had it not been for Mrs Clinton. Jeremy Corbyn is 67 & has been elected Labour leader for the second time because young Brits support him.
I am still seriously beginning to wonder whether this is the End Game though. I'm glad I'm not young.
We are now in a world of polarised, populist, politics. There is a war going on between extremes of authoritarianism, the right wing & the left wing, not to mention extremes of religion. Racism, Misogyny, Homophobia & Isolationism are rife in society. Tolerance of difference seems to have disappeared.
There is a dangerous disconnect between the rich & powerful & the working poor & middle class. There is also a disconnect between young & older people, who for the first time are less well off & less secure in their jobs, if they have one, & who have little chance of buying a home of their own. The rise of food banks shows just how difficult life is for the really poor, who are often also poorly educated. Who would have thought that child poverty would not have been stamped out in the so called "developed" world in the 21st century?
On the other hand the world seems to be ruled by multinational, global corporations & the "free market" economy. These often generate more income than whole countries & seem not to be held to account for their excesses.
Unemployment, the demise of manufacturing industries & poverty has led to male emasculation. The only place a man can be a man seems to be in the military. Maybe that explains our willingness to fight in the wars which have dogged us since Yugoslavia & the Arab Spring. Money can't be found for health care, education, the justice system etc. But it can always be found to fight a war.
No wonder the West is becoming more & more anti establishment. Fairness & equality of opportunity doesn't exist. People are fighting against a feeling of powerlessness. Brexit & the US Presidential election show that people do have power & can exercise it in a way which can be very detrimental to themselves.
The only bright spot is that the young seem to have found "politics". It is reminding me of my youthful activism in the 60s. The liberal democrat Bernie Sanders is 75 & could well have been the President elect with the huge support of young Americans had it not been for Mrs Clinton. Jeremy Corbyn is 67 & has been elected Labour leader for the second time because young Brits support him.
I am still seriously beginning to wonder whether this is the End Game though. I'm glad I'm not young.
Wednesday 9 November 2016
Trump - Leader of the Free World!
OMG - Trump as US President! What are they thinking? Or perhaps that's an oxymoron - with the emphasis on moron.
Sorry I'm not usually as denigrating & blunt about people - but it is very hard to fathom what experience, qualifications, transferable skills, knowledge & understanding Trump has which would make him an appropriate choice.
He has at least visited other countries, which is more than many Americans, 64% of whom don't even have passports. Most of those who do are probably in the forces. Only 3.5% of Americans travel abroad.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-d-chalmers/the-great-american-passpo_b_1920287.html
"Donald Trump
No surprise for a guy who owns his own Boeing 757, the Republican frontrunner gets around. And he’s always got a business excuse to wing out of the country — a new golf course in Ireland, a Miss Universe pageant in Panama, casinos and resorts all over the world, very successful — by now, you surely know the routine".
Trump is Boris Johnson on steroids & with a worse haircut. He is Berlusconi with a worse perma tan & similar misogynistic attitudes. He isn't even the successful businessman his publicity would have you believe. He has an impressive list of failed businesses.
http://gawker.com/a-complete-list-of-donald-trump-s-business-disasters-1764151188
Trump has been analyzed as a Sociopath with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-berger/trump-profile-of-a-sociopath_b_11318128.html
The number of Americans Googling how to move to Canada was up 1,000% after Super Tuesday. I wonder what it will be now.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/03/02/how-to-move-to-canada-searches-up-1000-after-trump-super-tuesday/
God help America & the whole free world. I simply cannot imagine the harm this man could do.
Sorry I'm not usually as denigrating & blunt about people - but it is very hard to fathom what experience, qualifications, transferable skills, knowledge & understanding Trump has which would make him an appropriate choice.
He has at least visited other countries, which is more than many Americans, 64% of whom don't even have passports. Most of those who do are probably in the forces. Only 3.5% of Americans travel abroad.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-d-chalmers/the-great-american-passpo_b_1920287.html
"Donald Trump
No surprise for a guy who owns his own Boeing 757, the Republican frontrunner gets around. And he’s always got a business excuse to wing out of the country — a new golf course in Ireland, a Miss Universe pageant in Panama, casinos and resorts all over the world, very successful — by now, you surely know the routine".
Trump is Boris Johnson on steroids & with a worse haircut. He is Berlusconi with a worse perma tan & similar misogynistic attitudes. He isn't even the successful businessman his publicity would have you believe. He has an impressive list of failed businesses.
http://gawker.com/a-complete-list-of-donald-trump-s-business-disasters-1764151188
Trump has been analyzed as a Sociopath with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-berger/trump-profile-of-a-sociopath_b_11318128.html
The number of Americans Googling how to move to Canada was up 1,000% after Super Tuesday. I wonder what it will be now.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/03/02/how-to-move-to-canada-searches-up-1000-after-trump-super-tuesday/
God help America & the whole free world. I simply cannot imagine the harm this man could do.
Monday 7 November 2016
Malice
Malice - The desire to do harm or mischief - Evil intent.
I have known people who have been spiteful, thoughtless, self absorbed, unable to control what they say or do. I have also known people who have deliberately stirred up trouble for others, even bullied. Fortunately I have know only a very few who I would say were malicious.
All humans have failings - none are perfect - I don't believe in Saints. But on the whole I do think that most people, on balance, are essentially good.
That makes the people who are malicious stand out from the crowd, & not in a good way.
Personally I would count Donald Trump as malicious & am dreading his possible election as President of the USA tomorrow. There have been, and still are, many leaders who have abused power & amassed ridiculous amounts of money.
We need to recognise malice & evil intent & find a way to deal effectively with it. Currently we aren't doing a very good job.
I wonder where President Assad is on this list?
I have known people who have been spiteful, thoughtless, self absorbed, unable to control what they say or do. I have also known people who have deliberately stirred up trouble for others, even bullied. Fortunately I have know only a very few who I would say were malicious.
All humans have failings - none are perfect - I don't believe in Saints. But on the whole I do think that most people, on balance, are essentially good.
That makes the people who are malicious stand out from the crowd, & not in a good way.
Personally I would count Donald Trump as malicious & am dreading his possible election as President of the USA tomorrow. There have been, and still are, many leaders who have abused power & amassed ridiculous amounts of money.
We need to recognise malice & evil intent & find a way to deal effectively with it. Currently we aren't doing a very good job.
| Rank | Name | Country | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vladimir Putin | Russia | |||
| 2 | Nawaz Sharif | Pakistan | |||
| 3 | King Salman bin Abdulaziz | Saudi Arabia | |||
| 4 | Sigmundur DavÃð Gunnlaugsson | Iceland | |||
| 5 | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan | UAE | |||
| 6 | David Cameron | United Kingdom | |||
| 7 | Petro Poroshenko | Ukraine | |||
| 8 | Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo | Guinea | |||
| 9 | Kim Jong UN | North Korea | |||
| 10 | Jayalalithaa | India |
I wonder where President Assad is on this list?
Worlds 10 most
corrupt Former Leaders
Name
|
Position
|
Funds
embezzled
|
|---|---|---|
President
of Indonesia (1967–1998)
|
$15–35
B
|
|
President
of the Philippines (1972–1986)
|
5–10
B
|
|
President
of Zaire (1965–1997)
|
5 B
|
|
4. Sani
Abacha
|
President
of Nigeria (1993–1998)
|
2–5
B
|
President
of Serbia/Yugoslavia (1989–20
|
1 B
|
|
President
of Haiti (1971–1986)
|
300–800
M
|
|
President
of Peru (1990–2000)
|
600
M
|
|
8. Pavlo
Lazarenko
|
Prime
Minister of Ukraine (1996–1997)
|
114–200
M
|
9. Arnoldo
Alemán
|
President
of Nicaragua (1997–2002)
|
100
M
|
10. Joseph
Estrada
|
President
of the Philippines (1998–2001)
|
78–80
M
|
M – million B - Billion
PS
I wonder whether President Elect Trump will join one of these lists?
PS
I wonder whether President Elect Trump will join one of these lists?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)