A personal thread - CW miscarriage.

I've had more interaction than I'd normally like with the NHS over the last few weeks. I started Dec pregnant and now I'm not. Miscarriage isn't talked about enough which is partly why I'm being open about it. But that's not the point. 1/7

Over the past few weeks I've had appointments on Saturdays and appointments before 9am. I've needed to see doctors quickly and have been able to do so. I've spoken to the same nurse on the phone several times when she phoned to check on me, once on Christmas Eve. 2/7

It initially seemed that the physical part of the process was over very quickly but on NYE it became clear that wasn't the case. Early on 1 Jan I phoned NHS111 who concluded that I needed to see a doctor and arranged for a taxi to collect me and take me to A+E. 3/7

And so I saw the dawn of 2021 in A+E. I saw a nurse and two doctors before being sent home. I'm back at the hospital today for a follow up injection and check up. It's Saturday. It's 2 Jan which I still feel should be a public holiday. And here we come to the point. 4/7

This hasn't been a fun process but I've been sure the entire time of the quality of the care I've received. I've been treated with kindness, compassion and efficiency the entire time, without exception. This in the middle of a global pandemic which has been bungled by govt. 5/7

Everyone is run off their feet - that is obvious. But the care is still excellent and it hasn't cost me a penny at the point of need (yes I know I pay for it in taxes - shut up). We are so incredibly lucky to have the NHS and we don't appreciate it enough. 6/7

I don't have the power to give NHS staff more money or better conditions or to magic up more staff. And I don't know what we, the public, can do except to acknowledge when the NHS has been there for us and be grateful and defend it in any way we can. #thankyouNHS 7/7