One of the distressing items that sometimes comes up on the news is a report on a medical facility where standards have fallen far short of what is required and harm has occurred to individuals whilst they are vulnerable, sick and in need of professional care. This “thought” is not intended to undermine the serious nature of such occurrences, but I have a different story to tell, and feel it is appropriate to acknowledge that there are many health professionals who give excellent care to their patients, and deserve recognition.
As I write this, I am recovering from surgery which I had at Ipswich hospital, involving a midday admission and a night’s stay afterwards. From the time of going in I received care from the admitting nurse, the anaesthetist, a registrar on the surgical team who would be doing the operation, 2 theatre staff, and a nurse who looked after me post-surgery in the recovery area. There will of course have been others looking after me while I was asleep. Then care was given on a surgical ward overnight. Each of the health professionals addressed me with curtesy, using the name ” Judy” which I had asked to be known by, and telling me their name. Everything was explained to me and time was given to allow me to ask questions. I have had several operations in the past, but still felt nervous before going under, but these feelings were minimized by the full explanations given at each stage.
One nurse in particular gave me a wonderful service. I will call her “Jodie” and she looked after me in recovery as I came round from the anaesthetic and waited to be transferred to a ward. Jodie gently told me it was time to wake up. She told me what the time was, and that the operation had been straightforward. She undertook various tests while I was slowly reorientating, found my blood pressure.was too high, and gave me medication for that with a welcome drink of water. She was calm and gentle in her manner, obviously knew what she was doing, and kept me informed throughout. She was quite clearly a young woman in the right job and she had a quiet joy about her which conveyed itself to me, though I was feeling a bit groggy, and made me feel reassured at that time of vulnerability. When my blood pressure had fallen to an acceptable level I was wheeled to a surgical ward for the evening/ night but I had a chance to thank Jodie for her excellent care.
There are lots of “Jodies” up and down the country, undertaking their work in the.NHS or other hospitals, who simply get on with the job with competence, care and skill. They don’t get on the news or receive large bonuses at the end of the year, they wear practical but unglamorous uniforms, and often miss out on tea breaks when workloads build up. I am so thankful for them, and proud to say my son and daughter in law work among them.
Jesus made it very clear during his ministry that bringing healing, comfort and compassion to the sick was high on his agenda. These days very few hospitals come under Christian governance but the work they do is, I believe, dear to God’s heart and when they do it well, his will is done.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for all those who work in health care and give of their best. May we never take. Them for granted. We ask you to grant them strength, pride in what they do, and job satisfaction.