In the September issue, I described how our local hospital service really is letting down the community and in the November issue I covered the Hospital Trusts explanation during their public meeting held in the town at the end of September when we were assured by the chief executive, members of the trust, a local doctor and the ambulance service chief, that all would work like clockwork because they said so.
Since that meeting, the Chief Executive has been replaced so he can cause havoc elsewhere (Chief Execs don't go away, they move!) and his replacement has been heard to admit that the cost cutting process forgot that staff like to be paid or they move/resign/give up and surprisingly, that's exactly what happened.

However, let's update you on the patients so far. The hip replacement is progressing well apart from a swollen leg and various other problems. This is apparently quiet normal and will clear up in time – the actual period hasn't been specified, but as I write (early January 2008), the patient has a leg bandaged from foot to knee and 'it'll clear up soon' to reassure him.

The patient with the knee still not operated on, currently resides at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage with both legs bandaged up, a bad chest and still on dialyse. How did she get there, I hear you ask.

Well, it all started after the September issue, when she knocked a leg which swelled up and off to Stevenage she goes. Apparently, they can remove fluid via the dialyse process, so after a couple of weeks following a bit of plastic surgery, back home she goes. Then in early December, the other leg gets a knock and now both legs (and patient) end up at Stevenage and she's not a happy bunny. Just before Christmas they decide that maybe she could go home. The district nurse attends and just when you think the corner is being turned, one leg starts to bleed through the dressings, the nurse attends and re-dresses the legs, the stress causes an asthma attack and the ambulance is called.

The Trust was right, they are superb, carry everything – but then the real world kicks in. They decide that hospital really is the best place, but Watford is full, Hemel A&E isn't, so to an overnight observation ward at Hemel she goes. Next day, off to St. Albans for the necessary dialyse and then drives herself up to the Lister in Stevenage to sort out the legs, the asthma, the dialyse. The doctors decide that they'll 'soon sort her out'.

Sadly, the latest is that she can't be sorted out at the Lister Hospital or anywhere else and it's now just a matter of time.

UPDATE - The patient died on Tuesday 8th January. She was my mum.

It makes you wonder if all the moving around is actually good for any patient and the treatment required. Hemel Hempstead is running down, St. Albans is for the walking wounded, Watford appears to be overloaded (no direct experience, I'm pleased to say) and the Lister Hospital seems to be almost there, having been confirmed as the North/East Herts A&E centre. It's even within a mile of a motorway, although 32 miles from here.

Do we really want centres of excellence miles away? The Trust suggests that one day, the local facilities will be local and just for recovery or minor ailments, which is fine if you are not ill. The experience of 'my' two patients may not be typical, however, something similar could happen to you or a close relative and I'm not convinced the current plans take into account the patient and relatives needs enough.