Having been without laptop for two days I am now back in the world of the worldwide web! I can’t tell you how much I miss my blogging / surfing opportunities particularly of course when I can’t have them. Luckily I picked an efficient seller on eBay, and the new charger has arrived today. In a way this is a shame as I was getting more done today than on a normal Saturday morning, but a girl needs a rest from digging the garden in preparation for a bulb planting session and this is it!
It has been a strange week, even without the laptop issues, what with the new PCT and the subdued nature of not only my own office but the one I visited in our neighbouring PCT on Thursday. I also experienced some blatant political positioning while there, which was a sight to behold. I got together with the 2 other managers doing my kind of role locally to we could discuss how we move forward with getting ourselves ready for the future, and 1 identified herself to us as being a front runner for a top job. The basis for this was: a) she has been in a higher position than us already in terms of money and status in her organisation, b) she knows the new director very well and is expecting to be asked to produce some key work in this area, and c) she considers herself to know more than us. So we will have to wait and see what happens next, but I am not allowing myself to be walked over in this matter.
Yesterday I found myself at a meeting of pharmaceutical industry people, talking about the current NHS changes. I was nervous presenting to this bunch, but shouldn’t have worried because it went quite well and some of them were pretty human too! I wonder though why they continue to be surprised that NHS employees still see drug companies as a means to a free lunch or indeed a free something bigger. We have an uneasy relationship with these people and their companies and I for one think that this will become more so as we and indeed our patients become more commercially aware of what we get for our money!
So back to the bulbs, housework and soon shopping, this has been a welcome interlude from the reality of life, but things to do and husbands to convince of my business this morning!
Comments on: "God bless e-bay and all who sell on her!" (3)
You could have just described my week. I hate the politics but I’m lucky enough to have a decent relationship with my “new” colleagues (we’ve worked closely for years). having said that, I know that one would stab me in the back soon as look at me. I’m keeping my eye open.
Like you, I won’t be used as a doormat, but I’m also prepared to call on my good relationships with local GPs so that I can move over there if necessary…
I also spent time with drug reps this week. I think that they know where I’m coming from and understand that they are seen for what they support – i.e. lunches/venues for the bigger meetings when we want GPs/AHPs to attend. I do feel a bit like we are selling our soul to the devil, but having spoken to them this week I was surprised about how realistic they were. They know what we use them for and they know that they are unlikely to get more sales especially since most PCTs have “Pharmacy Advisors” who keep an eye on what GPs prescribe…
It is good to know the same stuff is going on in other the place, even if it is sometimes unpleasant. As for the drug companies, I found the reps realistic too, but in a way nieve. They want to be some kind of partner, but know we have to reduce spending where possible and given the opportunity could become even more reliant on their goodwill. Mind you there is something about them wanting to get in on something new, it is just that none of us know what that something is!
I’m only suprised David Attenbrough or Desmond Morris have never let themselves loose on the NHS.
Trouble is the scene you described is being repeated throughout the country abiliity is replace with who you know and the relationships you’ve had with them in the past.
Don’t envy you the drug reptiles…..