Our NHS is in crisis - the Tories are failing it!

You can't move today for headlines shouting about how our NHS is struggling this winter.  It's not because the staff don't care, it's obvious they are all working extremely hard!  In Reading the Royal Berkshire hospital is asking staff to do extra shifts to ensure patients get the help and treatment they need.

From Twitter @RBNHSFT

This month tens of thousands of non-emergency operations are being cancelled which can be distressing to those waiting for them.   A&E units are under huge pressure because people are simply ill.  They are being asked to go to their local GP but getting appointments is getting harder and harder.  A £4.5 billion cut to social care funding has also heaped pressure on our health services.

Simon Stevens, the NHS chief executive told the Conservative government the NHS needed an extra £4 billion in 2018 however the chancellor Philip Hammond only allocated £1.6 billion.  The government did allocated an extra £350 million for the NHS but this is clearly woefully inadequate.

According to Theresa May, the Conservative Prime Minister, "The NHS has been better prepared for this winter than ever before". Well, Ms May, you've obviously not done enough.  It is very clear the NHS is not safe under the Conservatives. 

Here's is what the Labour Party will do for the NHS when it forms a government: 

Healthcare for all

 

#PrematurityIs - my experience

It's World Prematurity today and this year's theme is #Prematurityis - what prematurity means to those affected by it.  I am one of those people.

My youngest son was born 9 1/2 weeks early and it was a complete shock.  My previous pregnancy produced an overdue and very healthy 9lb 15oz baby.  There were no indications that my second pregnancy would be any different until my waters broke when I was 20+6 weeks pregnant.  Steroids were given, I had a 3 night stay in hospital and was sent home to take things easy to give baby as many days as possible in utero.

I only managed two days at home before I went into labour and my son was delivered by crash emergency cesarean under general anesthetic weighing 3lb 9oz.

The next 4 weeks 2 days were spent:

Visiting him in Buscot Ward at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. 

Initial deep worry, fear and distress when he was covered in wires and monitors when he was first born.

Balancing the needs of a toddler with those of his new brother whilst recovering from major abdominal surgery.

Slowly getting to know this tiny person through a perspex incubator.

Having precious cuddles, changing tiny nappies and clothes and feeding expressed breastmilk through a tube.

Marveling at his strength as he moved through the wards, off oxygen and into a normal cot.

Helping him learn to suck and feed.

Finally taking him home when he was a still tiny 4lb 9oz.

It's once I was home the enormity of what had happened hit me hard.  His first birthday was even harder, remembering what had happened and it's always at the back of my mind.

No two parents of premature babies will have the same experience, feelings, concerns and outcome. 

Prematurity is different for everyone.

 

Please take a few moment to find out more about prematurity and how you can help premature babies across the UK and the world: http://www.bliss.org.uk/Pages/Category/world-prematurity-day

World Breastfeeding Week!

This week is World Breastfeeding Week.  I am a supporter of breastfeeding and a mothers right to feed her child as and when she needs to.  I breastfed my eldest son and, thankfully, was never challenged but mother are still being told to stop, feed in the toilets, that it's disgusting and akin to peeing in public.  This shows an appalling attitude to mothers feeding their child in the normal, natural way.

Before anyone starts on about how difficult it is I will tell you now I struggled and, despite great support from the Royal Berkshire Hospital Breastfeeding Clinic and the Breastfeeding Network, who have sessions throughout Reading, I only managed 3 1/2 months.  My youngest was 91/2 weeks premature so was fed expressed breastmilk for 7 months.

I was so grateful for the support I received with my eldest I trained as a breastfeeding helper and could regularly be found at the Battle Library session until I went back to work.

You don't have to have had a great breastfeeding experience to be supportive, or even have breasts, but it is so important people get over their embarrassment and prejudices and allow mothers to feed their baby's in peace.

Here are some useful links for Reading mums:

Breastfeeding Groups with the Breastfeeding Network: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/reading.html
Royal Berkshire Hospital Breast Feeding Support Clinic: http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/wards__departments/m/maternity/breast_feeding_support_clinic.aspx?theme=Patient