The above letter (it will open as a PDF in your browser) from the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman, Rebecca Hilsenrath, to AJM Health, from earlier this year, would indicate that. while you may be isolated, you are not alone in receiving negligent treatment, bordering on malfeasance, from AJM Health. Every so often, in moments of profound weakness, I consider starting an NHS-themed Substack, that would explain how different parts of the service operate. Then I come to my senses and think, dear God, no – fuck that idea into the same trash can where they dumped the patent for oven-cooling ice-cubes and Satan's preliminary concept art for James Corden.
Recently, I have been making lids for the cardboard boxes where I store my compact discs. I embarked upon this long venture, that I will complete probably around this time next year, on the understanding that there is nothing hotter to women than bedroom shelves filled with numbered boxes, that used to contain bottles of wine when they were delivered to Waitrose, but that now house outdated physical media. It's practically foreplay and a guaranteed conversation starter:
“So, [index finger playing suggestively around the lips] you made these crude cardboard lids yourself?”
“You know it, baby.” [Finger-guns]
But I digress.
During my personal odyssey to put cardboard roofs over the heads of my St Etienne CDs (The Lidiad) I reacquainted myself with a reissue of the final Auteurs album – 'How I Learned to Love the Bootboys'. Tucked away on the bonus disc is the band's parting missive to the world – a live album, titled 'No Dialogue With Cunts'.
Part of your existence, as a disabled man, will be an open dialogue with cunts. It shouldn't be that way, and it is neither right, nor is it fair, but it is a fact. During my time working for the NHS, I encountered patients, or relatives of patients who had their elbows out as a default, and who were bitter and confrontational from the offing. I had to remind myself that most of them didn't start out that way. It's the system, or sometimes people working within the system, not being up to scratch, that compels these people to come at you swinging their grievances like a medieval morning-star. Otherwise, in their experience, either nothing gets done, or it is done badly.
I have noticed, of late, a deterioration in standards within the NHS, which I now experience purely on an outpatient basis. This decline can't directly be attributed to a shortfall in funding. It is more a cultural shift; an abandonment of the concept of public service manifesting as a somewhat adversarial stance towards patients. There are a variety of probable reasons for this, some controversial. One of the causes has been piecemeal privatisation, by means of outsourcing services to private healthcare companies. This is a product of both of the major political parties in the UK. It results in a distancing from the core ethos of the NHS, and a lack of direct accountability. There are binding contracts in place and standards are allowed to slide as a result, because it is easier to do nothing than it is to rock the boat.
On Good Friday, earlier this year, I went for an MRI, as I do occasionally. The man who was sent to fetch me from reception couldn't remember who he'd been asked to collect. Later he asked me to estimate my weight on the release form I was compelled to sign prior to the scan. The MRI was located in a cramped porta-cabin where the changing area was located in the diagnostics area. There was no cubicle or curtain. Fortunately you only had to partially disrobe. There was barely any communication during the scan which was unnerving. Afterwards one of the technicians made disparaging comments about how much I had sweated during the procedure, which unfortunately is what happens when your liver exists under permanent bombardment from your revolutionary immune system. As I was leaving the scanner, I walked into a woman who I assumed was nurse until I read her bewildered expression and realised that she was the next patient. I noted that she had elected to not remove her clothes, which is understandable given that she would have had option other than to do so in what was effectively a cramped corridor, in close proximity to a trio of over-friendly, unprofessional men. I felt so sorry for her. There are a lot of issues within the NHS that aren't just about money. I don't think this would have been tolerated when I worked at the same hospital, but it is now.
Well, on the one hand, I'm truly glad to hear from you again. I think of you often.
On the other hand: ARRRGGHHHHHH!!!!! Really, what the fuck is wrong with people? You would think that at a minimum there'd be some training on the basics of dealing with humans, much less the product they are selling.
So much of the world is simply not aware of barriers that are placed on people with disabilities, people who are poor, people who are vulnerable (for many reasons), and it makes me crazy.
It is my life's work to make people notice. Your posts help.
nice to see you back. It is outrageous that you had to write this letter owing to the lack experience, expertise and empathy but, yeah, glad you shared it here and that you’re in fighting form.
The fight goes on and what appalling treatment you received from a "service" funded to provide expert, professional support. Like others, I'm really pleased to hear from you again.
Have you considered sending a copy of your post to Stella Creasey as the Walthamstow MP? She needs to know how poor services are in her constituency.
I admire your capacity to break down the situation with such clarity.
To think anyone could have such a lack of understanding of what a person in your situation is and is not physically capable of, let alone someone employed in his role…
https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/sites/default/files/RH%20to%20AJM%20090524.pdf
The above letter (it will open as a PDF in your browser) from the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman, Rebecca Hilsenrath, to AJM Health, from earlier this year, would indicate that. while you may be isolated, you are not alone in receiving negligent treatment, bordering on malfeasance, from AJM Health. Every so often, in moments of profound weakness, I consider starting an NHS-themed Substack, that would explain how different parts of the service operate. Then I come to my senses and think, dear God, no – fuck that idea into the same trash can where they dumped the patent for oven-cooling ice-cubes and Satan's preliminary concept art for James Corden.
Recently, I have been making lids for the cardboard boxes where I store my compact discs. I embarked upon this long venture, that I will complete probably around this time next year, on the understanding that there is nothing hotter to women than bedroom shelves filled with numbered boxes, that used to contain bottles of wine when they were delivered to Waitrose, but that now house outdated physical media. It's practically foreplay and a guaranteed conversation starter:
“So, [index finger playing suggestively around the lips] you made these crude cardboard lids yourself?”
“You know it, baby.” [Finger-guns]
But I digress.
During my personal odyssey to put cardboard roofs over the heads of my St Etienne CDs (The Lidiad) I reacquainted myself with a reissue of the final Auteurs album – 'How I Learned to Love the Bootboys'. Tucked away on the bonus disc is the band's parting missive to the world – a live album, titled 'No Dialogue With Cunts'.
Part of your existence, as a disabled man, will be an open dialogue with cunts. It shouldn't be that way, and it is neither right, nor is it fair, but it is a fact. During my time working for the NHS, I encountered patients, or relatives of patients who had their elbows out as a default, and who were bitter and confrontational from the offing. I had to remind myself that most of them didn't start out that way. It's the system, or sometimes people working within the system, not being up to scratch, that compels these people to come at you swinging their grievances like a medieval morning-star. Otherwise, in their experience, either nothing gets done, or it is done badly.
I have noticed, of late, a deterioration in standards within the NHS, which I now experience purely on an outpatient basis. This decline can't directly be attributed to a shortfall in funding. It is more a cultural shift; an abandonment of the concept of public service manifesting as a somewhat adversarial stance towards patients. There are a variety of probable reasons for this, some controversial. One of the causes has been piecemeal privatisation, by means of outsourcing services to private healthcare companies. This is a product of both of the major political parties in the UK. It results in a distancing from the core ethos of the NHS, and a lack of direct accountability. There are binding contracts in place and standards are allowed to slide as a result, because it is easier to do nothing than it is to rock the boat.
On Good Friday, earlier this year, I went for an MRI, as I do occasionally. The man who was sent to fetch me from reception couldn't remember who he'd been asked to collect. Later he asked me to estimate my weight on the release form I was compelled to sign prior to the scan. The MRI was located in a cramped porta-cabin where the changing area was located in the diagnostics area. There was no cubicle or curtain. Fortunately you only had to partially disrobe. There was barely any communication during the scan which was unnerving. Afterwards one of the technicians made disparaging comments about how much I had sweated during the procedure, which unfortunately is what happens when your liver exists under permanent bombardment from your revolutionary immune system. As I was leaving the scanner, I walked into a woman who I assumed was nurse until I read her bewildered expression and realised that she was the next patient. I noted that she had elected to not remove her clothes, which is understandable given that she would have had option other than to do so in what was effectively a cramped corridor, in close proximity to a trio of over-friendly, unprofessional men. I felt so sorry for her. There are a lot of issues within the NHS that aren't just about money. I don't think this would have been tolerated when I worked at the same hospital, but it is now.
Well, on the one hand, I'm truly glad to hear from you again. I think of you often.
On the other hand: ARRRGGHHHHHH!!!!! Really, what the fuck is wrong with people? You would think that at a minimum there'd be some training on the basics of dealing with humans, much less the product they are selling.
So much of the world is simply not aware of barriers that are placed on people with disabilities, people who are poor, people who are vulnerable (for many reasons), and it makes me crazy.
It is my life's work to make people notice. Your posts help.
Hi Paul,
nice to see you back. It is outrageous that you had to write this letter owing to the lack experience, expertise and empathy but, yeah, glad you shared it here and that you’re in fighting form.
The fight goes on and what appalling treatment you received from a "service" funded to provide expert, professional support. Like others, I'm really pleased to hear from you again.
Have you considered sending a copy of your post to Stella Creasey as the Walthamstow MP? She needs to know how poor services are in her constituency.
Send it to PALS, regional health authority and SIA. This is unacceptable
Angering incompetent bollocks! Nevertheless I'm happy and relieved to receive this bulletin. I'd noticed your long silence.
I admire your capacity to break down the situation with such clarity.
To think anyone could have such a lack of understanding of what a person in your situation is and is not physically capable of, let alone someone employed in his role…
I have no words!
Absolutely shameful 😱That company need to invest in hiring a professional physiotherapist when someone is receiving a new wheelchair.
That is disgraceful. What is wrong with our services in the UK? How have things got this bad? So sorry that this happened to you.
I'm so sorry to hear about this dreadful treatment. To think the lack of public understanding about disability can reach even places like that!