The Crippen Diaries 2007 (13)

Not quite Emergency Ward 10

Monday 16th March

I think it was in a Monty Python sketch that Eric Idle talked of inventing a cure for all known diseases. A lovely thought, and today I may have found one. A patient arrived with her son who had an ear infection. She asked me if she could give him some Rescue Remedy which she had been taking for years. Was it safe for children?

I was embarrassed to say that we had not covered Rescue Remedy at medical school, so it was back to good old Google again.

It sounded promising:

The journey through life can be likened to walking a tightrope and while we may usually be composed, calm and focused, there are times when life springs little surprises that can throw us off balance.

Jennifer Aniston says it keeps her cool under pressure. Wow. See the video of all the movie stars who use it here.

Rescue™ Remedy has become every woman's emotional ally for its calming and centering energy and is now relied upon by people around the world to provide unconditional support during demanding times.

Whatever the situation – immediate or ongoing - Rescue® Remedy can help. Taken anytime, anywhere Rescue Remedy is totally natural and contains five of the 38 Bach ® Flower Essences: Rock Rose for terror and panic, Impatiens for irritation and impatience, Clematis for inattentiveness, Star of Bethlehem for shock and Cherry Plum for irrational thoughts.

This sounds wonderful. Just what I need.

I have four teenage children. I shall immediately insert some Clematis into them – we have one in the garden – whilst I take some Impateins. Finally, a stiff dose of Cherry Plum for Mrs Crippen’s mother. Perfect.

20 mls of Rescue Remedy are available here for only £5.45

Sadly, I do not recommend drugs I did not learn about at medical school, so I could not confirm to my patient that it is safe for children.


++++++++++++



Tuesday 27th March

One of those irritating but glorious phone calls.

I saw Mrs Jones, a middle aged lady, and heavy smoker, with an ominous lump in her neck last week and, after a few routine tests, referred her urgently to ENT. She called this morning to say that she had been phoned by the hospital to say that they could not see her until they had had a letter from her GP. Had I sent the letter? I confirmed I had sent it both by post and by fax. Well, they say they won’t see me without a letter, and they have not received it. Are you sure you sent it? It was clear she did not believe me.

I said, Mrs Jones, please, think about it. How does the hospital know that you need an appointment if they have not received my letter?

Ah!

++++++++++++++

Bill, a twenty seven year old probation officer, presents. Last week, he was playing squash and his opponent managed to hit him in the face with the hard edge of his squash racket. His top four teeth were injured. He was taken into the local teaching hospital where the max-fax people saw him, and fitted a very clever brace to the teeth which will stabilise the loose one. Sadly, one of the teeth was nerve damaged and will, in due course, go a greyish black.

Only a “cosmetic” problem you may think, but not an attractive proposition for a fit, good looking 27 year old who had excellent teeth. The hospital had discharged him and advised him to go to his local dentist, which he has done. The dentist can do all the work, including root filling and a porcelain crown. Total cost just over £1000.

Bill cannot afford it. Probation officers do not earn a fortune. His mortgage is crippling him and his car needs work that he cannot afford. And he did not have a holiday last year. Bill asks me to refer him to a dental hospital for the work. But I cannot do that. I do not have access to ordinary “conservative dentistry” on the NHS.

Bill is angry. Why should I have to pay for this? I said that he could sue his opponent, but he will not do that. He is a friend and it was an accident.

Should the NHS pay for this? It used to.