Sareena

The big conversation on our nhs

Last month, Just Treatment launched our “Big conversations” campaign where we began speaking to someone in every constituency in the UK about their experience of Coronavirus and the NHS. These conversations will directly feed into the creation of a New Deal for the NHS. This is a people powered campaign and collectively, we can ensure we learn the lessons from Coronavirus, and work together to build a better, stronger future for the NHS and for patients. 

What has your experience of Coronavirus been? 

Coronovirus is unlike any illness I’ve ever had. It started pretty mild and then completely escalated. After the fever abated, then the cough and shortness of breath started. I ended up being hospitalised for 4 days with Covid-positive pneumonia. When in the hospital I felt like there was very little involvement from the doctors. The nurses were the ones that looked after me the most. Even since being out of hospital, the recovery had been slow. And there have been long term effects; I am unable to walk long distances due to the scar tissue in my lungs.

What long term changes for the NHS do you believe are required?

Improved communication between doctors and nurses is really important. When I asked the nurses about my treatment, they had to chase a doctor and they couldn’t find any notes. No one came and told me that I was covid-positive. It was told to me in an offhand comment when a nurse came to give me my antibiotics because the nurse assumed that I had been told. It would be good for them to have a centralised system where all details and conversations are logged, as well as treatment plans.

Why do you think building a New Deal for the NHS is so important?

The NHS is one of the most amazing things about the UK. Very few countries have the access to health care that we do and it’s not something that we should take for granted.They deserve every ounce of recognition they are currently getting and it shouldn’t have taken a pandemic for everyone to see it.