Carry On Nurse

Do not adjust your set. Normal service will be resumed soon.

I have been feeling increasingly unwell this year culminating in a short sojourn in a National Health hospital. In the light of current press coverage about the problems the NHS are having delivering an acceptable service I thought my observations might be of interest. My hospital is clearly not typical. There were no ambulances queuing to discharge patients. I waited for thirty minutes in A & E to be seen. I was in a public ward with six beds, four of which were occupied. The pinch point was a shortage of nurses. There would not have been enough if the ward had been full; as it was they were competent, compassionate and professional but with no spare time and seemed to work long hours.

Hospital food used to have a bad reputation. I found it similar to the Savile Club: porridge with honey, yogurt, macaroni cheese, all-day breakfast, cheese omelette, pork and bean stew, rice pudding; all excellent. I did not stay long enough to have more of the many tempting options. The patient in the bed opposite mine, come to think about it, might belong to the Chelsea Arts Club – he is a heroin addict and was the ward bore. However, all good things must come to an end and I am at home in recovery mode.

*****

We watched the Prince Harry interview on ITV with interest. So carefully choreographed and edited but I noticed one slip-up. “I’d like to continue my work with the Commonwealth.” (Funnily enough when I was trying to be an election observer I would have preferred the Commonwealth to Eastern Europe.) What Harry means is that he’d like to do the enjoyable bits of being a royal for a few months a year and doesn’t want to do the dull work around the UK that other working Royals do. The Princess Royal is tireless in visiting branches of some of the 300 organisations of which she is patron some of which sound rather dull. She makes a point of visiting members of the UK Fashion and Textile Association at every opportunity. It’s hard work and that’s the bit Harry and his wife don’t buy into. Frankly, I don’t blame them but I do blame them for trying to eat all the violet creams and leaving the toffee pennies (in Quality Street, and good for taking out fillings) for the rest of the family.

We are also watching The Remains of the Day (1993). I had forgotten what a great film it is with the locations almost stealing the show from a super storyline and cast. Should you happen to watch it again you may wonder where Julian Fellowes got inspiration for Downton.

A bit late now but wishing you all a happy, healthy and maybe prosperous 2023.