Criticism and chocolates

I hear a lot of criticism of governments and their processes (agendas) from people around the world. I tend not to watch the news services (or give credence to the propaganda they convey) in preference of getting information first-hand from people on the ground and whose information is often more factual. I also seek information from alternative news information services that can be much more reliable, but I prefer first-hand experience and knowledge.

Here in Australia, there's rarely a great news story about the medical system. The negativity revolves around lack of beds, proficient staff and systems, lack of healthcare and support staff, and ramping - Ambulance's lined up at hospital emergency drop-off-points for hours because they can't move the patient into the hospital for lack of beds and staff; this, of course, means that response times to emergency medical calls blows out also. There's many other issues, so many, but there's just a few. It's an ongoing problem and one I find difficult to understand in an affluent first-world country like mine.

Lately, I've had some first-hand experience of my own as I've spent a reasonable amount of time in hospital.

I was prepared for a terrible experience, to be treated like cattle going to slaughter or worse. I expected I'd be angry, frustrated and feeling pretty ashamed of this country I was born and raised in (and have done my bit for) in respect of how it's proceeded to decline into what will eventually be chaos, as found in other countries. I was prepared for that...but not for what actually occurred.

I was treated with a great deal of care, my situation was deemed critically important and was prioritised and everyone who came in contact with me was solicitous to my needs, wanted to move the situation forward and took time with my condition and my emotional and mental state also as the whole episode had left me feeling a little out of control. I went through a period of feeling really angry about a few things around the actual circumstances and they dealt with that also. Hang on, it wasn't supposed to be this way, what the bloody fuck! #WTBF

A few weeks after the process begun and the critical nature of my health situation was brought under control, and after I'd come to terms with everything, stood up and dusted off so to speak, I went back for a routine visit and consultation. I felt the need to say thank you to the team also so I brought them chocolates and a card to say thanks. They were very pleased, from the girls on reception and in the administration department to the nurses and other healthcare professionals...they were humble too, a trait I personally find to be quite excellent. It left me feeling pretty good about things and wondering where all the negativity comes from as mentioned above. Of course, it was just one slice of the big picture I guess and I'm sure those troubles exist.

I think it's really easy to jump on the bandwagon when people criticise governments and their services, yes, most of it is warranted, but a lot of it is simply propaganda or someone's personal agenda based around their own needs or small view of the big picture. I'm not saying that ramping isn't an issue, that a lack of hospital beds is acceptable or that the healthcare and medical system here (and probably other places) isn't flawed and a little broken, it is. However there's success stories out there and it'd be nice to hear them from time to time and to see those on the front line of the medical/healthcare battle receive some accolades, recognition and, for the nurses and paramedics, better pay too!

Have you got a good news story about the healthcare situation in your country or that which you've personally experienced? Have you personally had a situation that exceeded your expectations, or has someone close to you? Please feel free to drop it in the comments below, I'm keen to read about it, and I always engage back.