<<Went back to same NH to see another pt today who needed a routine post-op
HB, 
according to the home. Says I cheekily "as she is an NH graded pt, could
one 
of your sisters not do it matron?" "no, they are able to take blood, but we

don't do that here, so you'll have to do it and please bring the kit with
you, 
we don't stock it. Come at 3pm as her daughter is taking her to lunch". 
Request refused and asked matron if daughter could bring her to surgery for

our PNs to take the blood. Complaint in post from matron to HA apparently. 
What now?>>

1. I don't take blood, I have nurses to do that for me.
2. You (NH) have nurses, you take the blood.
3. I am not a travelling phlebotomist.
4. Patient is clearly fit to travel, therefore no reason on God's earth why
the daughter could not have brought her to the surgery.
5. If you wish to keep me as your doctor you must behave in a reasonable
manner.  This is not reasonable.  This is your wake-up call.  Next time
you're out. 
6. No regulations I know of obliging us to do crap like this.
7. Suggest complain (again) to HA inspection unit---patients suffering
because of bloody-minded matron.
8. Suggest urgent complaint to home owners.
9. Suggest urgent compaint to UKCC re matron's conduct---in particular
putting obstacles in the way of providing good care.
10. Consider note to daughter----diplomatic explanation along lines of
there would appear to be some administrative problems in the NH, these
problems are interfering with your mother's care and perhaps you would like
to ring me to discuss them?    Is that libellous, Graham?
11.  Oh and good precedent (for the HA civil servants)----most NHs I know
take their own bloods and are very happy to do it.   The Res Homes usually
have some arrangement with the district nurses.  Might be just a reflection
of our generally good relationships over here but hell, it's the same ol'
NHS here.   Ergo, this NH falls below accepted and expected
standards.......
12. ANd did you ever contact the owners?   

13.  I have managed with the help of drugs and therapy to stop my
coronaries having attacks of violent vasospasm when a nurse says, "Oh
that's not my job"  or "I'm not covered to do that"    or "We don't do
that,  you'll have to do it"   Etc etc etc.   Only one way to handle
that-----If you, nurse or sister, want to be treated as a professional then
you better bloody behave like one."

Regards and good luck

Declan
PS Want me to draft a few letters for you????


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