NHS. A blame culture

The NHS is wonderful. I have received excellent care from GPs, some nurses, OTs, midwives, surgeons, anaesthetists. I have worked within the NHS for over a decade. I can't imagine having to make decisions about mine or my children's healthcare based on cost, or what health insurance would cover. The NHS is on it's knees though. Doctors and nurses are having to do more with less. They are torn between what they are paid to do and what they are expected to do, even what they feel they need to do. There are discrepancies between what employers are asking and what the population needs. As professionals we live in fear of missing something, due to tiredness, computer systems not being fit for purpose, or even just a mistake. Our careers and sometimes our even our freedom put at risk every day. Tired, unsupported staff make mistakes. Staff who have little time for reflection between clients. Not enough time to care. When a mistake is made, we know that our employers won't back us, and we thank God that this time, this time it wasn't our case, our client, our mistake. There for the grace of God go I. The most muttered phrase in my last place of work. Everyone stretched, everyone torn, everyone doing their best for their clients. I loved my job, and I think I was not bad at it most the time, although towards the end I strongly felt unable to safely do my job. When I left, one member of staff was sacked, another keeping hers only because she was well liked and influential. Scapegoating of those who rock the boat. 3 more retired. 3 of us left. In the year before I left at least 7 members of staff were off sick with stress. A large amount of staff asked to reapply for their jobs, just years after a large number had bern forced to retrain to keep theirs. In 12 months at least 2 members of staff have attempted suicide. Now the "cause" may not be the job, but added pressure and the impossible task of keeping home a safe place where your mind can be free of the sadness, filth, neglect and danger of the houses you visit each day, must surely contribute to feeling that you cannot go on. Who cares for the carers when they fall apart? The husbands and children and friends who try to understand the responsibility and the fear. The colleagues who have nothing left to give? Each person who leaves because they are broken, leaves a caseload. Leaves more work for their team. Pressure is increased on those left behind. Whist you are pleased for a friend who lands a less stressful job, retires or gets promoted, and whilst you genuinely care for the person on long term sick leave,you can't help but think "how on earth am I going to cover their work?" I don't have a solution. I just know a lot of wonderful, caring people who have been broken because they care and nobody cares for them. It's not about pay. It's about expectations, liability, safety and survival. I write this and my last post and see how compassion is not a focus in either of my chosen fields. Both are magnets for "good people". Those who love, care and serve without discrimination. When I look back I can see that expectations in both became too much. Both my own and others. It's little wonder I had nothing else left.