I had an ‘asthma review’ this morning. Despite having asthma since I was a baby, I’ve never had a review of it before so, as you can imagine, I was fabulously excited. The letter warning me that if I didn’t attend they’d no longer provide comprehensive medical care was almost unnecessary.
Alas, I was to be somewhat disappointed. Now, I’m sure asthma reviews are useful tools and not the result of a government with an overarching desire to micromanage every part of its citizens’ lives. And, by setting a target for GPs that gives them cash if 70% of their registered asthmatic patients have a review every year, there’s no motivation to just get a certain number of people, rather than target problem cases. It’s in no way ‘tick the boxes’ healthcare, no sir; it’s the perfect way for me to discuss symptom management, as this morning’s conversation would testify:
“Do you know how your inhalers work?”
“Do you mean at the molecular level, or the pharmacokinetics or….?”
“Er, I mean do you know when to take the orange one and when to take the blue one?”
Hard stare.
“I’ll just mark that as a yes.”
Sometimes I really wonder how I’ve managed to survive so long…
German Word For Today: “Atemlos” - NHS pulmonary care lottery
Song playing as this was published: Belle & Sebastian - “White Collar Boy”
It’s so wearying to have to go through life clever, yet surrounded by dimwits at every turn.
I utterly sympathise.
The nurse who did it was probably relatively intelligent when compared to the masses. Or medics.
Actually, she was really very pleasant, but there’s something about the phrase; “You really don’t need to do this, but there’s a government target…..” Especially when I’ve had to get out of bed an hour earlier than usual for the appointment.