"postscript"

postscript to previous post: just remembered minor grumble about visit A&E jan which doesn’t affect my health but may cast light on NHS inner workings…during ear suturing surgeon had needlestick injury, as per protocol my blood taken for hepB, hepC and HIV serology and I signed consent form which happened to mention I would be informed of results. Some ways this could be read include:

1: a fiction the form creator felt should be put in for appearances but really just an example of how if something has to be explicitly labelled a policy it means it isn’t done in practice

2: something that really is meant to be done but isn’t because setting up a system to make it happen would mean someone taking responsibility for it, seeing it through etc. and its too much work for little reward

3: just a politeness never intended to be read literally, like much real language e.g. a casual contact ended with “see you pal” where there is no expectation on either side of friendship or repeated contact

4: its short hand for saying I could find the results if I’m prepared to take the trouble to do so. As I’m not I can only guess what to do – go to GP receptionist, they will say don’t have access to hospital generated results so make GP appointment, none at present ring next tuesday before 9am and there may be some…eventually see GP who has trained for 10+ years to do this and agrees to chase it up and leave results on answerphone.

Total cost in receptionist and GP time north of 50£ but no problem as not many will pursue this option and anyhow it doesn’t come from A&E budget ...so what chance of actually changing the real world form to delete promise of results or explain how to get them, rather than online reply platitude?

PPS: not impressed by star system apparent engineered to give high ratings rather than what most service users are likely to care most about e.g. whether their problem was properly diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.