MyHSN: 10 best top NHS tips ever

MyHSN: 10 best top NHS tips ever

At its best, the NHS is a wonderful service, but often its an grumpy deaf elephant going the wrong way.

Why is this so?

1. Admin of NHS is awful
2. Partly as its too big and complicated
3. Nothing (computers) and no one (people) talks to each other
4. The waiting lists are long and unacceptable.

Importantly, the ‘glue’ (communication and connections) do not work well. Hence, it is important to remember that you are in charge of your own health, and (to an extent) responsible for the risks you take – not just the doctors.

Note. Sequential administration. Administratively, too, things are done sequentially, and sometimes administration can be frustratingly slow, as you wait for each stage to happen. A must lead to C, via B – it cannot go straight to D. But you can guide the elephant from A to D. These 10 tips should help.

None of this is your fault. It’s ours, and we are genuinely sorry. 

So, what can be done? Here are MyHSN’s 10 Top Tips to make the NHS Elephant dance for you.

Communication (and administration)

1. Do not assume NHS computers link up

And all NHS staff know all about you, your past mediccal history your current medication etc. Keep your own medical record and up-to-date drug list.

2. Keep the contact details of all your NHS staff (GP, hospital, other)

Phone numbers, email, the lot. Its OK to contact them. You are not bothering them. You pay their salary.

3. Rule 1 (2 and 3). Never (ever) assume ‘no news is good news’ = chase chase chase!

This is the biggest mistake you can make when dealing with ths NHS. If something doesn’t happen in good time, you need to find out why (not ‘trust the sytem’).

Be proactive. Actively follow up on investigations and appointments. 

Hospital

4. Hospital inpatient – how to reduce your length of stay 

Time spent in hospital is risky – lying on trolleys in corridors, getting infections from other patients. Hence you need these to be as short as possible. The average length of stay is 6-7 days. So, you should be asking to leave on day 2 or 3. 

Excess caution. In hospital, the people caring for you are naturally worried about doing the wrong thing. This can sometimes lead to an excess of caution. Following guidelines etc.  

For example, if a doctor said you can do some activity – and the nurse says you must not, say firmly, ‘Doctor X said it was okay’. 

Beware long hospital stays. The consequence of excess of caution and slow administration can be hospital stays that are longer than they need to be. Long inactivity could be the greatest risk of all – particularly for the elderly. 

Here are some things you can do to reduce your length of stay.

• Example 1. Chase, chase, chase (again!). If the doctor says the next available scan is next week, ask them to go to x-ray and put your case that it should be done in next 24-48 hours (before the bank holiday weekend, when nothing happens for 3-4 days)
• Example 2. Make sure you know the name of your consultant – and how to contact them after your admission
• Example 3. If there’s something bothering you – speak to the ‘nurse in charge’ of the ward. Also, feel free to ask to see your consultant, or the manager in charge of the department your consultant works in. If that does not work, contact or go to the PALS department. It will be near the main entrance
• Example 4. Anticipate the stages ahead. For instance, you can reassure staff, that you are able to return home safely (and when) – and ask them to work towards that day (in your dance routine!).

5. Hospital outpatient – how to move up a waiting list

Currently over 7 million people are waiting in the UK for an NHS hospital treatment (e.g. operation or procedure). This is very poor we know. Again, we are very sorry.

• But. There is quite alot you can do actually if you are waiting for something. Here are top tips to jump up the NHS waiting list
• For example, a regular phone call to your consultant’s secretary – reminding them a. who you are, and b. that you will take a slot at short notice if someone cancels – is a good idea.

GP

6. Ask for a ‘double appointment’

And face-to-face. At your GPs, ask for a double appointment (20 mins). 10 mins is not enough to deal with complex problems, especially for older people.

Hospitals and GPs

7. Ask for a second opinion

If you took your car to a garage and it wasn’t fixed, would you take it back there? A good doctor will not be upset and arrange it for you.

Not hospitals and GPs

8. Use NHS options that are not your GP, A&E or hospital

They may be better dealt with by other parts of the NHS. The following options may be better.

Examples include:

• Pharmacist – there is usually one in walking distance. They are a very good place to start. Many are open 7 days a week
• Midwife – pregnancy issues
• Podiatrist – foot problems
• Optometrist/optician – eye problems. Again, many are open 7 days a week
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapist – shoulder, back, hip, knee and foot pain – you can refer yourself directly. Look on your GP’s website
• Talking Therapy (previously IAPT; i.e. NHS counsellor) – again, you can refer yourself directly
• Urgent care (especially out of hours, i.e. 8am-8pm, 7 days a week) – Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), Walk-in Centre and Minor Injury/Illness Units (MIU; find out what is available locally). You will see a doctor there face-to-face today and can be examined.

General points

9. Ask the doctor .. “Doc .. would you have this?” (operation, procedure or whatever)

This is a simple but important question you should ask of your hospital consultant or GP. If there is any delay or uncertainty in answering, think again. Ask for other options.

10. Ask yourself .. ‘what am I doing to help myself?’ This is your responsibility

Have you been asked to stop smoking or lose weight? Are you? Are you a ‘good patient’? Do you keep a medical record and know your medications in detail?

Also. Have you chased the results of your recent blood tests? If not, why not? You can do this via the Patients Know Best (PKB) website (which is free) and NHS App (often).

Most importantly, recognise you need to be the glue in the system, and make sure all of the above happens in a timely fashion, to help your healthcare progress.

I.e. you ‘make the elephant dance’ for you”

Bonus Tips

• Private hospital medicine. Mm. This may seem inappropriate on a NHS top tips page. And we appreciate many will not be able to afford it.
  • But. The NHS as we know is performing poorly (our fault, 100%). So it may be worth using some of your hard earnt cash to see a hospital specialist sooner, if your GP says you need to see one. They may even be able to recommend one. So you don’t have to wait 6-9 months (often the case now).
  • After that, if you dont have endless money, you can ask for follow-up to be in the NHS.
• Prepare for GP and hospital appointments. Write down questions and concerns beforehand to make the most of your time with the doctor.
• Consider a patient advocate. If you need extra support, explore taking a patient advocate or social prescriber with you. Your GP’s receptionists may be able to help find someone for you.

Summary

We have described our 10 best top NHS tips ever – and how to make the NHS Elephant dance for you. We hope it has been helpful. Give them a try!

Rule 1, 2 and 3. Chase chase chase  

Take care of yourself and your NHS will take care of you