This year the NHS turns 70. For anyone not in the UK the NHS is our free healthcare service and is such a lifeline to so many people.
I must admit I am quite a careful person so have never had to use A&E or the hospital as a child. Of cause we visited the doctor and the dentist (all free for children) and had a slight blip when I sprained my knee cartlidge on a bouncy castle but as a whole I am a very careful person…never broken a bone on my body.
Having a brother with DS meant that actually we have had a few trips to the hospital for different things, even a very scary trip to Alder Hey Childrens Hospital when he was 18.
Of cause Jasons death made me question how reliable our NHS was, if it was so great why did my baby die? Yet I knew and still know that the amazing staff at our hospital did everything they possibly could, I could not blame the NHS for Jasons death because they didnt cause it. I couldnt fault the paramedics who tried so hard to help me deliver him at our home, nor could I fault the nurses who stitched me up. I could not fault the consultant who tried to get Jasons heartrate up or my midwife, Vicki, who looked after me during both my pregnancies. They were amazing during my pregnancy with Ellie, from the consultant care to delivery.
We really are so lucky to be able to access free healthcare in the UK. The staff are unfortunately overworked and underpaid and get more grief than they deserve.
Without the NHS I could have died giving birth to Jason and I will always be grateful to them for both my children.
Mothering A Rainbow 