Now it was Friday morning, February 15 and I was driving to attend to a medical assessment done on behalf of the government by a private healthcare company named "ATOS". A very quick turnaround from the day before. I was sore, uncomfortable, nervous, exhausted.
I'd read the stories, watched the news. The reports coming back from the medical assessments of people too ill to work, were outrageous, horrifying. The agenda set by the government is to get as many people of incapacity benefits as possible. This has meant that there have been numerous cases of people deemed fit for work who could not possibly work. Their disability benefits stopped and their lives thrown into turmoil.
I parked up and headed for the building, preparing for the worst but maintaining my composure. The building is located between a well known ghastly food restaurant and a franchised computer company. So, with an "Unhappy Meal" in one hand and a new laptop under my arm, I bravely entered the healthcare building. "Would you like a fry?" I asked the receptionist. Ignore all that. I had a stressful week. I actually went straight into the building. Well, using the door to get into the building. Enough already.
That would be after a brief conversation with a very irate guy outside totally aggravated by his treatment and how he'd had several heart attacks and was deemed fit for work.
Deep breath. The receptionist was polite and directed me to the waiting area. I looked around and sadness, rage, a growing resentment towards this evil British government surged through me. Yes, there was the lady barely able to walk, being comforted by the lady with her. There was the scared young man sitting on his own until his support worker came and sat beside him. And there was the frail old man, aided by two crutches, his partner and the healthcare professional, as they slowly guided him from the waiting area to an office down the hallway.
And there was me, alone and worried. I shuffled around the waiting room and thought about how inspired I was knowing so many thoughts from you on the other side of my computer screen, had come my way. A gentleman escorted me to his office for my medical assessment. You might note the photo at the top of the posting. Such was the quick turnaround from being at the hospital the previous day, I still had my hospital wrist tag on. I also had my paperwork tucked inside my hospital patients bag.
This gentleman, was kind, courteous and he came across as compassionate. Upon looking at my series of tests on my clearly instructed appointment letters, he immediately went and photocopied them. He didn't even want to see my other overwhelming evidence that I'm not well. He told me that I had given him more than enough proof and he would forward it onto the Department of Works and Pensions. The DWP make the ultimate decision. I'm not naive. I know that all sorts of hassles might transpire. I shall remain positive that justice will be served from the outset.
With that, realising I was in discomfort from my prostate biopsy, he ended the assessment very quickly. "Please go and get some rest and have a pleasant weekend", he stated. So now we wait for the results of an assessment I shouldn't of had and so many vulnerable, sick, disabled and scared people, should neither of had to go through.
That was the week that was. I have witnessed mankind at its finest. The NHS gets full marks for kindness, caring and efficiency. As I mentioned before, the NHS contacted me via a comment regarding a concern I had. This is the comment :
"Dear Klahanie,
We've read with interest your experience of using our services from your blog, and enjoyed the humour with which you write. We are particularly interested to hear how we could improve the information and the services we provide. If you would like to meet with us to discuss this, or any other hospital related subjects, please contact Hannah Gibson, patient experience lead, at Hannah.gibson@uhns.nhs.uk.
Kind regards
Andrew Ashcroft
Senior Communications Manager
University Hospital of North Staffordshire"
And bless the NHS. Yes, they acted swiftly on my concern in regards to the vagueness of an appointment letter. I'm very proud of this. An example that we can make things happen.
Now, David Cameron, so called Prime Minister of Britain, shall you be making note of my concerns about the way your inhumane, immoral government is treating, the vulnerable, the sick, the poor, the disabled? Yes, you call it austerity measures. That would be where the unfortunate pay for the mistakes of the incompetent fortunate. I await your comment, Dave. After all, you say, "We are all in this together."
Through the week that was, I saw the good, the kind, the caring. Through that week I sensed a solidarity, a unity against the adversity so many of us here are experiencing. That inspires. Through that week, this virtual recluse, challenged his fears, did it with dignity, humour and by the weekend had become a better man.
Now, this better man, a reflective man who has gone through emotions of such extreme, awaits for the results of all the tests. Monday, February 25, the day I should finally know. I thank you profoundly for your thoughts, wishes and prayers.
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