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"Also a very big thing: being believed by GPs... My kid's bones were 79% cancer and I was still being told 'Not to worry its just a virus'. Same with Long Covid ... nearly got myself sectioned for delusional body sensations that we all now know is Long Covid."
"The UK model of the NHS is tremendous for lifting the financial burden and anxiety of health and care from people. Particularly the poor, disabled and disadvantaged. When you see how healthcare is provisioned in some other countries, you have to be grateful for the UK healthcare system. However, its...read more
"People take on caring roles because they have to. We don't chose to become carers. Communities are suffering because of a lack of investment in jobs, houses and infrastructure. Having flexibility at work is vital to combine my caring role with work. I'd like a break and don't want to...read more
"There are not enough learning disability nurses."
"Over the years, you should have had six weeks [of respite care] a year from social services. I don't think you ever had more than three a year. And that's over 28 years. So, you know, I'm under no illusions."
"“So it's quite a new role in that I'm supporting a family member. You know, I sometimes struggle and wonder where to turn to really. I think that there are gaps for somebody just to listen to your own personal story and direct you a little bit. Because everyone's different."
"They need to respect us [unpaid carers] as professionals. Respect and value us."
"In care homes, I think [things] are a lot worse because they're so understaffed. And all of their patients are very highly dependent on the staff. And you do get a lot of grief...you can get very difficult patients that are very rude to staff [or][ are very demanding. And...read more
"During the pandemic, it has become apparent that there is no support for us as parents... I personally haven't reached out for help simply because I don't have the time to. You're just too wrapped up with what [you're] dealing with on a daily basis. "
"For me, for social care, I think people should be paying more. Because it's a really tough job. And it's so poorly paid. And until it's well paid, you will get some staff that are fantastic. But you will get a lot of staff who are just there as a...read more
"People are going into nurse training. [Now], if you take out the people who don't complete their training, you get the people who don't pass their exams. And then people who come out of their training process exams and decide not to stay in the NHS, you're probably talking 50...read more
"My dad was living with us during his final four years, and we ended up caring for him. At that point, we were in the position of caring both for our son and for my father. It was… I'll use the word ‘interesting’, dealing with both of those at the at the same time."