Tuesday, 26 November 2013

BEYOND MY CONTROL - SUZAN COLLINS


RATING: B

A heart-breaking nightmare is revealed in this true story of the unfortunate demise of an elderly lady and the battle against bureaucracy that her daughter goes through when trying to put things right. Rigmarole follows mistake, follows error, follows carelessness, as things get worse instead of better in the situation. The daughter battles onward beyond the end, but finds no true solution, only eventual peace when letting it go, knowing she has done all that she could do. The author continues to fight for a better social care/health system.

Along with the story, are multiple ideas that can help you if you go through a similar situation - what you should do, what you can do, what you must do. Contact information for organizations that may be able to help in such situations are also given, as is advice for dealing with problems with the NHS care system both in hospital and homes.

It brings to mind both good and bad memories of hospital staff which my recently deceased father encountered - and I am grateful that his NHS mishaps were minor and more to do with his own perception and discharge difficulties than actual medical faults.

I would recommend this book to carers, NHS staff, those with elderly friends or relatives in care homes/hospital, and those interested in the understanding the British health system. It was loaned to me by a friend who has also reviewed the book HERE.

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