Aunty has had a difficult night. My Husband visited the ward out of hours this morning and says we must expect the phone call to say she has passed away very soon. She is so frail now. She has not had food for eleven days, and has been on a drip for fluids during this time. I don't think we can expect her to hold on to this life any longer.
It doesn't change that gripping feeling I have in my chest. One is never ready to lose a friend and family member. I feel sorrowful. I don't want her to suffer more of these days of struggling painful life, yet it will be so hard to lose such a cheerful lady. Thankfully the nursing care has been excellent since she was admitted to hospital. They have done all they can to make her last days as dignified and comfortable as possible.
It is difficult to see on the news there are so many places in the world who can't expect this care. Peoples across all nations who either can't afford it, as hospitalisation is private and can't be paid for. People who are denied this basic service of care, as there are no medical supplies or medication. Places where people are at war, and fear to go to hospital with wounds.
We are fortunate indeed to live in this place. We have a good standard of care, it comes at a high price and our government also has to make savings and cutbacks to our health system in this recession, yet we still have far more than probably three quarters of the world's population and we have the cheek to moan about waiting lists, and investment into our health service.
We all need this level of care, not just a the privileged in the western world. Perhaps we do moan about our taxes, and the way our health services are run, but at least we have something that many countries do not, and that is medical care and community support for all of our society that is far better than most places in the world.
I do agree with a partly shared cost though, rather than just directly pay higher taxes. My Husband and I subscribe to a Westfield Health Policy. It costs us about one pound a day, and when we need to see a specialist it 'tops up' our costs. It is worth it as it also gives various allowances on dental and optical charges, physiotherapy and other services that can be expensive if needed.
I would have no problem with this type of insurance policy used to suppliment taxes and costs, so that those who have had medical care contribute the money from the policy to the health service on a user pays basis. Obviously people on a low income may find this hard to find the fee, but the actual benefits that can be claimed far outweigh the cost of the policy.
It works on the basis that not everyone is going to need to claim on their policy every year, although the dental and optical grants add up significantly, and do offset the actual cost. I think there are a number of these type of organisations, it's worth looking into them.
It doesn't change that gripping feeling I have in my chest. One is never ready to lose a friend and family member. I feel sorrowful. I don't want her to suffer more of these days of struggling painful life, yet it will be so hard to lose such a cheerful lady. Thankfully the nursing care has been excellent since she was admitted to hospital. They have done all they can to make her last days as dignified and comfortable as possible.
It is difficult to see on the news there are so many places in the world who can't expect this care. Peoples across all nations who either can't afford it, as hospitalisation is private and can't be paid for. People who are denied this basic service of care, as there are no medical supplies or medication. Places where people are at war, and fear to go to hospital with wounds.
We are fortunate indeed to live in this place. We have a good standard of care, it comes at a high price and our government also has to make savings and cutbacks to our health system in this recession, yet we still have far more than probably three quarters of the world's population and we have the cheek to moan about waiting lists, and investment into our health service.
We all need this level of care, not just a the privileged in the western world. Perhaps we do moan about our taxes, and the way our health services are run, but at least we have something that many countries do not, and that is medical care and community support for all of our society that is far better than most places in the world.
I do agree with a partly shared cost though, rather than just directly pay higher taxes. My Husband and I subscribe to a Westfield Health Policy. It costs us about one pound a day, and when we need to see a specialist it 'tops up' our costs. It is worth it as it also gives various allowances on dental and optical charges, physiotherapy and other services that can be expensive if needed.
I would have no problem with this type of insurance policy used to suppliment taxes and costs, so that those who have had medical care contribute the money from the policy to the health service on a user pays basis. Obviously people on a low income may find this hard to find the fee, but the actual benefits that can be claimed far outweigh the cost of the policy.
It works on the basis that not everyone is going to need to claim on their policy every year, although the dental and optical grants add up significantly, and do offset the actual cost. I think there are a number of these type of organisations, it's worth looking into them.
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