Just when we thought it was safe...

Vicki's condition has taken a downward turn. After many weeks of positive improvement, she's acquired an infection, and her temperature is high as a result. Having a severely compromised immune system makes it hard for Vicki's body to deal with in the same way you or I would. As a result, the medical team are closely monitoring her and are administering various antibiotics, anti-fungals, along with paracetamol and intravenous fluids. What isn't helping is that Vicki's cubicle is like a sauna.

Once again, this is where the hospital lets itself down. Whilst on the one hand, the medical team have been brilliant in dealing with this crisis, the facilities team have been less than efficient in coming to rectify the tropical micro climate that they've manufactured in Vicki's room. So desperate is the situation that I had to remove the inner window from the double glazed window to allow some drafts in! But it's a perfect illustration of how the NHS often forgets the very person they are there to help. Someone, somewhere, at some point in the past decided to remove the temperature control from the ward, and place it in the hands of a centrally managed team. This doesn't help patients when it takes many hours to get the temperature to a bearable level. I am finding the heat oppressive and I'm not ill, so God knows how Vicki must be feeling. And of course, whoever made the decision to remove this basic control is probably no longer around to be held to account for their decision. Cold drink anyone, on the rocks?