01.21.06
As seen on TV?
Late one night this week I was flicking through the TV channels I can access on the TV in my bedroom (only 5, as we have no satellite reception there), when I chanced upon a programme demonstrating disease processes through the medium of autopsy. I had heard about this programme before when the first series was on, but wisely avoided it, as the sight of some unknown deceased person’s inner parts was more than enough information for me at 11.30 at night. I have to come clean here, since I left clinical nursing, I have become ever so slightly squeamish about blood and gore, especially when shown to me on TV. Mind you, some of the behaviour depicted on hospital dramas mind you makes me want to throw up at times!
British TV is not quite as obsessed about medical drama as it is about Police drama, but at times it comes close! We have had programmes set out in GP surgeries (one of which is still on in the afternoon, and of course am never able to watch), programmes about a district nurse, programmes set in accident and emergency (Casualty which is home grown, as well of course as ER from the US). The one I save my loathing for though is shown every week on BBC1, it is a spin off from Casualty and is called Holby City.
My main complaint about this programme is not about the blood and gore aspect, though at times we are offered more than enough of that, but the way in which people might be given the completely wrong idea about how the NHS functions in 2006. The main annoyances are:
- Patients come into hospital and are found to have a problem which might be medically managed, or might require an operation, they are only seen by the surgeon who has them under the knife more quickly than you can shout ‘hang on a minute’.
- A patient can have an operation as major as say a heart transplant or coronary artery bypass grafts, and be fully awake within 10 minutes of arriving back on the ward (maybe there have been advances since I last recovered a post op patient but I am not sure that is one of them).
- The nurses are all under the management and control of the doctors (In the UK nurses manage nurses and doctors manage doctors).
- Doctors can sack each other, sack nurses, sack other staff. Likewise they can hire complete strangers who just walk into the building.
- A doctor can arrive from Africa, and next minute be operating on a patient, after all Holby City is always understaffed (wonder why).
- If someone develops MRSA, then it is the fault of the Matron / nurse, who will be sacked because of it!
- If a nurse prescribes a drug to a patient when she is not a registered prescriber, that is illegal and breaches the nurses code of conduct. But in Holby the consultant decides that this can be brushed under the carpet because they are short staffed.
- On the maternity unit there is only one midwife and one consultant to deliver all the babies. They are pretty much both always present at every birth, and they both also pitch up to gynaecology operations too.
- All nurses and doctors call all patients by there first name (and often visa versa)
I could go on, but am getting bored with my list. I guess I could give up watching this complete load of rubbish but the trouble is I love a good moan, and it is not all that badly acted. Also I guess it is a good respite from reality!
Ellie said,
January 21, 2006 at 12:53 pm
It’s so true. I love the impression they give that there are only one or two members of staff per specialty. I know we have relatively few doctors in the UK, but even so….
Your comment about the doctor arriving from Africa and going straight into theatre made me laugh, because the other day another administrator I know mentioned that he’d found himself spluttering at the screen “You can’t let him do that! He hasn’t had his criminal record check or occupational health clearance!”
Great blog, by the way!
Kim said,
January 21, 2006 at 1:22 pm
My only experience with health care on a BBC show is the clinic on “My Hero”!
LOL!
And one episode of “Hattie Wainwright” mysteries (the one with Patricia Rutledge)
Totally off topic, speaking of BBC shows, I just discovered that my darling “As Time Goes By” actually went eight seasons with two reunion shows! I’m going to sit in front of the TV all day tomorrow and watch my latest DVD!
I should start a BBCAmerica blog!
Julie said,
January 22, 2006 at 11:20 pm
Thanks Ellie, I know I shouldn’t watch but it gives us something to laugh about!
Ah yes, as time goes by; there was a reunion double episode over Christmas, though I didn’t watch it. lucky for you it seems that you don’t get Holby!
NHS Manager said,
January 28, 2006 at 1:01 am
Mrs NHS Manager has banned me from watching any UK based health “drama” (except Bodies) because I end up shouting at the TV, for many of the reasons you highlight.
If I’ve heard “well they did it on Holby” just once more…
Julie said,
January 28, 2006 at 9:13 am
Ah yes similar thing happens here!