"Our NHS services"

The 111 service is a good service in general I have rang it a few times over the last few months.  I do get annoyed with them sometimes because they send an ambulance and I don't want to go to hospital but the paramedics they come in a car first, they work very hard and are always busy, they take me to the hospital and I must have needed to go as I had to spend five days in resuss and five days in critical care one time.

The paramedics are brilliant.  I was In Lewisham hospital.  I had to have a blood transfusion, my red blood platelets were low last time I was in and it took them 12 hours to find me a bed but once I was better I was basically mended and told to 'f off now' and I had to get the number 136 bus home.  I struggled but managed it.

I went home none the wiser than when I went in.

Two days later I had to ring the 111 again, I realised I still had needles sticking out of my arms.  I did phone 999 but they said it wasn't an emergency.  111 told me not to take them out myself, thirty minutes later a paramedic came in a car and he took them out.  There was blood everywhere but these things happen.

I feel for the paramedics, they do a twelve hour shift so their always tired and exhausted.  Half of the population don't realise how hard our doctors, nurses, receptionists, paramedics, cleaning, catering staff in the NHS work - it's a tough job.  I want to thank them - they get no recognition.  

Not complaining - I feel sorry for the staff.  In my opinion, they are forgotten - people don't appreciate what they actually actually do.  It's easy to complain, moan or have a go at the doctors and nurses etc. but I've observed it over the years.  People sat in A & E for three or four hours moaning, shouting.    There's always lots of police all over the A & E, seems for people who have been stabbed, shot, beat up.  People in handcuffs so people complain about waiting times but doctors and nurses keep up - they just try to do their best.  There are signs telling you waiting times but they do have to prioritise.  Lewisham hospital A & E is bedlam but it's not staff's fault - its a sign of the times.  It's frustrating for patients but worse for the staff, they work a twelve hour shift, go home and come back and do it all again.

I am in constant pain, got a fractured spine, had lots of test and I can't walk properly - I take painkillers not run to A & E.

I want to say thank god for them - they don't even get bank holidays off, they seem to get abused constantly - I see it, it's unbelievable. They train for years for their jobs.  My friend is a consultant - took him twelve years.  I don't think they get paid enough, they are always exhausted and not being treated right in my opinion.  NHS workers are like coal miners - always put upon.