Sunday, 31 July 2011
Saturday, 30 July 2011
23 Week Babies - Revisited
I have blogged about this before, after the screening of Adam Wishart's documentary "The Price of Life - 23 Week Babies". If you missed it, you can view it on YouTube. However after some flutters on Twitter this week, I wanted to revisit this topic and clarify the situation in the UK.
In the press this week, there has been an article about baby Jacob McMahon a little boy born at 23 weeks, sadly his sister passed away several days before, however after a 5 month stay in hospital, Jack is now home. This story has been picked up by the US Right to Life movement, and been interpreted in somewhat interesting ways, an example is this article tweeted by a fellow preemie mum today.
As in the US, in the UK babies born before 23 weeks are assessed on a case by case basis. Jacob is undoubtedly a special little boy he is not unique, many babies have been saved below the "threshold" of 24 weeks. I can understand the Right to Life movements desire to utilise these stories, as the current abortion limit is 24 weeks in the UK, so there argument is surely that if babies can survive if born before this threshold then termination is wrong.
I dislike the linking of the premature baby debate to the termination debate and I see them as two very seperate issues. Just to clarify, I have a completely on the fence attitude to termination. In a perfect world, all terminations would be banned, babies would be born to happy parents, who want and are ready for a baby, and no baby would be poorly in the womb. But life isn't like that. I would never judge anyone for having a termination, each of us has to do what our own heart and conscience tell us to do.
So to clarify, babies born before 24 weeks can be saved in the UK. It is, somewhat, a lottery, in this case a term I also dislike. It is a lottery because it depends on what sort of hospital you present to. If you present to a hospital without a level 3 NICU then its unlikely that they will be able to save your baby born before 24 weeks, it doesn't mean they won't try, but they may not do if they feel that treatment will be futile.
There is more debate about this in the UK than in the US, and that is for one very good reason. We all pay for the treatment of these tiny babies, our medical system is public, its not down to individual insurance companies or hospitals, its down to the NHS to determine what level of support they are prepared to provide.
I feel that the Right to Life people, at times, miss the point. Treatment is not without cost. Doctors are not cruel, making arbitrary rules. They are governed by a number of factors, but first and foremost "first do no harm". There is a reason they give babies morphine, treatment is painful. And sometimes, its futile. Babies can be born in horrendous circumstances, already having infections, or having underlying medical conditions that have not yet been diagnosed. I am not ashamed to say that I asked whether we should let Joseph slip away. I was concerned about the cost to him personally of undergoing treatment. In our case it was clear cut, delivery had been done in a timely way, and he needed some interventions, however they were minimal compared to other babies. Am I sorry I asked that question, no I am not, because I felt, as his mother, I had to consider his needs, all I wanted was my baby to be well, and to not suffer.
I do think it is healthy and right that we debate these issues. However as well as love and compassion, we need to debate with truth and with integrity.
In the press this week, there has been an article about baby Jacob McMahon a little boy born at 23 weeks, sadly his sister passed away several days before, however after a 5 month stay in hospital, Jack is now home. This story has been picked up by the US Right to Life movement, and been interpreted in somewhat interesting ways, an example is this article tweeted by a fellow preemie mum today.
As in the US, in the UK babies born before 23 weeks are assessed on a case by case basis. Jacob is undoubtedly a special little boy he is not unique, many babies have been saved below the "threshold" of 24 weeks. I can understand the Right to Life movements desire to utilise these stories, as the current abortion limit is 24 weeks in the UK, so there argument is surely that if babies can survive if born before this threshold then termination is wrong.
I dislike the linking of the premature baby debate to the termination debate and I see them as two very seperate issues. Just to clarify, I have a completely on the fence attitude to termination. In a perfect world, all terminations would be banned, babies would be born to happy parents, who want and are ready for a baby, and no baby would be poorly in the womb. But life isn't like that. I would never judge anyone for having a termination, each of us has to do what our own heart and conscience tell us to do.
So to clarify, babies born before 24 weeks can be saved in the UK. It is, somewhat, a lottery, in this case a term I also dislike. It is a lottery because it depends on what sort of hospital you present to. If you present to a hospital without a level 3 NICU then its unlikely that they will be able to save your baby born before 24 weeks, it doesn't mean they won't try, but they may not do if they feel that treatment will be futile.
There is more debate about this in the UK than in the US, and that is for one very good reason. We all pay for the treatment of these tiny babies, our medical system is public, its not down to individual insurance companies or hospitals, its down to the NHS to determine what level of support they are prepared to provide.
I feel that the Right to Life people, at times, miss the point. Treatment is not without cost. Doctors are not cruel, making arbitrary rules. They are governed by a number of factors, but first and foremost "first do no harm". There is a reason they give babies morphine, treatment is painful. And sometimes, its futile. Babies can be born in horrendous circumstances, already having infections, or having underlying medical conditions that have not yet been diagnosed. I am not ashamed to say that I asked whether we should let Joseph slip away. I was concerned about the cost to him personally of undergoing treatment. In our case it was clear cut, delivery had been done in a timely way, and he needed some interventions, however they were minimal compared to other babies. Am I sorry I asked that question, no I am not, because I felt, as his mother, I had to consider his needs, all I wanted was my baby to be well, and to not suffer.
I do think it is healthy and right that we debate these issues. However as well as love and compassion, we need to debate with truth and with integrity.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Why I Blog - And What I Want to Be When I Grow Up
The reason I blog is I love to write. I've always loved writing. I've never been great at fiction, I remember one of my teachers in high school telling me that my short stories were more like scripts for a soap opera (I must have missed my calling). My great love has always been non-fiction.
The first non fiction I remember writing is a rather awesome piece about the wide combed shearers dispute in Australia in the 1980's. I was 9. It was just really interesting the competing views of the traditional shearers and the newer style shearers who wanted change. It was about tradition, and animal welfare but also money.
I was hoping to go into law, initially, but my work experience entirely put me off. My favourite moment on work experience at the age of 15 was saying to the solicitor who was babysitting me "you can't let your client appear like that". And he just looked at me like I was a piece of manure and said "look not everyone dresses up in a suit its fine". And I said again "really, he can't appear like that". He looked again. The guy was on a marijuana charge (in the days when it was more serious than now) and had a t-shirt with a stoned koala on it. The solicitor was horrified. I made the guy take it off, turn it around so it was back to front, and stick my cardigan on. He got off. It was then I realised I was more a practical person, and should look for another career.
My revised plan was industrial relations, I wanted to be a union advocate. I did work experience for the Tasmanian Office of Industrial Relations, it was a fabulous experience and I was given a lot of responsibility, taking minutes, meeting top players in unions in Tasmania, I was hooked. So I embarked on a degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. But I was a very organic, round shape in an extremely rigid square hole. There I was in tie dye trousers and long flowing hair learning about tedious stuff. I had to pass 24 subjects, and just could not, for the life of me, pass the last one. I failed Business Statistics 3 times. I gave up.
I got a distinction for my thesis, my other subjects that relied on the written word I did fine, but just could not manage business statistics. It just was not my thing. But I soldiered on, determined to work in industrial relations. I worked as a carer in a group home, and became an shop steward. I did really well, and like to think I was well respected, and as a team, we got some great things accomplished. But I just could not break into the sector, and then, then world changed. Australia took a massive step to the right and the work just went.
I've drifted in life, and once I found myself at home, being a mum, I missed using my brain, so my blog has become my outlet for writing. And I love blogging. Would I love to do more, yes. I'd love to get into writing articles. I find writing interesting and therapeutic and I love sharing ideas.
I still haven't decided what to do with my future, and feel a bit stuck. I'm thinking of returning to University to study Paediatric Nursing but a little voice in my head is not so sure.
I still, at the grand old age of 39and 1/4 I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up.
The first non fiction I remember writing is a rather awesome piece about the wide combed shearers dispute in Australia in the 1980's. I was 9. It was just really interesting the competing views of the traditional shearers and the newer style shearers who wanted change. It was about tradition, and animal welfare but also money.
I was hoping to go into law, initially, but my work experience entirely put me off. My favourite moment on work experience at the age of 15 was saying to the solicitor who was babysitting me "you can't let your client appear like that". And he just looked at me like I was a piece of manure and said "look not everyone dresses up in a suit its fine". And I said again "really, he can't appear like that". He looked again. The guy was on a marijuana charge (in the days when it was more serious than now) and had a t-shirt with a stoned koala on it. The solicitor was horrified. I made the guy take it off, turn it around so it was back to front, and stick my cardigan on. He got off. It was then I realised I was more a practical person, and should look for another career.
My revised plan was industrial relations, I wanted to be a union advocate. I did work experience for the Tasmanian Office of Industrial Relations, it was a fabulous experience and I was given a lot of responsibility, taking minutes, meeting top players in unions in Tasmania, I was hooked. So I embarked on a degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. But I was a very organic, round shape in an extremely rigid square hole. There I was in tie dye trousers and long flowing hair learning about tedious stuff. I had to pass 24 subjects, and just could not, for the life of me, pass the last one. I failed Business Statistics 3 times. I gave up.
I got a distinction for my thesis, my other subjects that relied on the written word I did fine, but just could not manage business statistics. It just was not my thing. But I soldiered on, determined to work in industrial relations. I worked as a carer in a group home, and became an shop steward. I did really well, and like to think I was well respected, and as a team, we got some great things accomplished. But I just could not break into the sector, and then, then world changed. Australia took a massive step to the right and the work just went.
I've drifted in life, and once I found myself at home, being a mum, I missed using my brain, so my blog has become my outlet for writing. And I love blogging. Would I love to do more, yes. I'd love to get into writing articles. I find writing interesting and therapeutic and I love sharing ideas.
I still haven't decided what to do with my future, and feel a bit stuck. I'm thinking of returning to University to study Paediatric Nursing but a little voice in my head is not so sure.
I still, at the grand old age of 39and 1/4 I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Preventing Maternal Deaths
This isn't an easy topic to write about, but following Panorama's "One Born Every 40 Seconds" shown on BBC1 on Monday 25th July, I felt it was something I wanted to explore further. I can understand if you do not wish to read further, its not pleasant subject matter. However, what concerned me, is that the documentary only focussed on one possible cause of these deaths, and that is the failure of the NHS to provide adequate midwifery resources. I feel that this is only part of the story, and wanted to look at the role of patient education and awareness. In this post I only focus on maternal death, not the death of the baby, that is another post for another day.
The bulk of the source information that Panorama used was from the Saving Mother's Lives report - reviewing maternal deaths 2006-2008.* You can find the link to the report in its entirety here, it makes for sobering reading. I am just a mum, I'm not a researcher, or a doctor or a clinician. But I am passionate about awareness and education. Scaremongering is one thing, but empowerment is another. And what worried me about the Panorama reporting is that it didn't empower, it frightened. What can a pregnant woman do to ensure she is safe in pregnancy and childbirth? She can educate and empower herself, and her partner.
I think its important to note that the actual numbers we are talking about are very small, in the three year period the report covers, 261 women died in pregnancy. Now this figure covers direct and indirect maternal deaths, and for the purposes of this discussion the number I am interested in is the direct maternal deaths, 107 in total, of conditions or situations that only arose due to pregnancy. I think the indirect number is significant too and may be a subject for another post.
The main cause of direct maternal death is sepsis/genital tract infection. I had no idea that this was the case. The report talks about the link between sore throat and genital tract infection. How many women know, that if they are pregnant and have a sore throat, they should consult their doctor or midwife. I certainly didn't. The second main cause is pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, haemorrhage is way down the list at number 6.
Until I was pregnant, I had very little awareness of pre-eclampsia. I knew, from my job authorising procedures for a medical insurer, that pre-eclampsia necessitates swift delivery usually be caesarean section, but didn't really know any more than that. I certainly did not expect to get it, and I did not think it could be fatal, not really. But its very clear that pre-eclampsia/eclampsia is killing women in England in the 21st century.
It's important to remember that the numbers are small, 19 died in the three year period as a result of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and as its a very common condition, its clear that it is managed, in the most part, very well. It is also clear that initiatives in this area are working. The number of women dying of these conditions in the reporting periods of 1985-87 and 1988-1990 was 27 in both periods, so clearly we are making progress.
Alarmingly though, the rate of women dying as a result of sepsis (and one of the cases featured in last nights programme was sepsis) is increasing. I certainly didn't realise that infection can kill women in pregnancy or shortly after delivery, and I am not sure I would have given a sore throat a second thought. I think, alarmingly, One of the ten recommendations of the report is that there should be more education about genital tract infection and sepsis. I would have even shrugged off a urinary tract infection as being annoying, not necessarily a source of danger. And I do not think I am alone in this.
What is clear from the report is the role that antenatal care plays in preventing maternal death. A significant number of the mortalities were women who either did not have any antenatal care, or sought antenatal care late in their pregnancies.I think also, whilst this doesn't come out in the report, is the quality of antenatal care. Surely a shortage of hospital midwives equates to a shortage of community midwives. I think laying the blame at the door of midwives in particular is wrong. The situation is a lot more complex than that.
I remain convinced that education, awareness and empowerment is important. Being aware of any pre existing conditions and ensuring you get proper consultant input is essential. Being aware of signs and symptoms of consitions like sepsis and pre-eclampsia is vital. Listen to your body, and have your voice heard, don't allow yourself to be fobbed off. Follow things up yourself, if you have been referred and not heard anything, ring - all hospitals in England have a PALS (patient advisory liaison) service, use it.
In a busy, and at times understaffed system being aware and assertive is important.
*Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE). Saving Mothers’ Lives: reviewing maternal
deaths to make motherhood safer: 2006–08. The Eighth Report on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom. BJOG 2011;118(Suppl. 1):1–203.
The bulk of the source information that Panorama used was from the Saving Mother's Lives report - reviewing maternal deaths 2006-2008.* You can find the link to the report in its entirety here, it makes for sobering reading. I am just a mum, I'm not a researcher, or a doctor or a clinician. But I am passionate about awareness and education. Scaremongering is one thing, but empowerment is another. And what worried me about the Panorama reporting is that it didn't empower, it frightened. What can a pregnant woman do to ensure she is safe in pregnancy and childbirth? She can educate and empower herself, and her partner.
I think its important to note that the actual numbers we are talking about are very small, in the three year period the report covers, 261 women died in pregnancy. Now this figure covers direct and indirect maternal deaths, and for the purposes of this discussion the number I am interested in is the direct maternal deaths, 107 in total, of conditions or situations that only arose due to pregnancy. I think the indirect number is significant too and may be a subject for another post.
The main cause of direct maternal death is sepsis/genital tract infection. I had no idea that this was the case. The report talks about the link between sore throat and genital tract infection. How many women know, that if they are pregnant and have a sore throat, they should consult their doctor or midwife. I certainly didn't. The second main cause is pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, haemorrhage is way down the list at number 6.
Until I was pregnant, I had very little awareness of pre-eclampsia. I knew, from my job authorising procedures for a medical insurer, that pre-eclampsia necessitates swift delivery usually be caesarean section, but didn't really know any more than that. I certainly did not expect to get it, and I did not think it could be fatal, not really. But its very clear that pre-eclampsia/eclampsia is killing women in England in the 21st century.
It's important to remember that the numbers are small, 19 died in the three year period as a result of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and as its a very common condition, its clear that it is managed, in the most part, very well. It is also clear that initiatives in this area are working. The number of women dying of these conditions in the reporting periods of 1985-87 and 1988-1990 was 27 in both periods, so clearly we are making progress.
Alarmingly though, the rate of women dying as a result of sepsis (and one of the cases featured in last nights programme was sepsis) is increasing. I certainly didn't realise that infection can kill women in pregnancy or shortly after delivery, and I am not sure I would have given a sore throat a second thought. I think, alarmingly, One of the ten recommendations of the report is that there should be more education about genital tract infection and sepsis. I would have even shrugged off a urinary tract infection as being annoying, not necessarily a source of danger. And I do not think I am alone in this.
What is clear from the report is the role that antenatal care plays in preventing maternal death. A significant number of the mortalities were women who either did not have any antenatal care, or sought antenatal care late in their pregnancies.I think also, whilst this doesn't come out in the report, is the quality of antenatal care. Surely a shortage of hospital midwives equates to a shortage of community midwives. I think laying the blame at the door of midwives in particular is wrong. The situation is a lot more complex than that.
I remain convinced that education, awareness and empowerment is important. Being aware of any pre existing conditions and ensuring you get proper consultant input is essential. Being aware of signs and symptoms of consitions like sepsis and pre-eclampsia is vital. Listen to your body, and have your voice heard, don't allow yourself to be fobbed off. Follow things up yourself, if you have been referred and not heard anything, ring - all hospitals in England have a PALS (patient advisory liaison) service, use it.
In a busy, and at times understaffed system being aware and assertive is important.
*Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE). Saving Mothers’ Lives: reviewing maternal
deaths to make motherhood safer: 2006–08. The Eighth Report on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom. BJOG 2011;118(Suppl. 1):1–203.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Ten Things I Love About You
Today's post is a linky hosted by the lovely Aimee at Mother on Mother Earth , sharing ten things we love about our little ones.
1. I love the way you play. You don't need toys or fancy things. You love stones, dirt, water, pens, paper. You can play anywhere anyhow, and I love that about you.
2. I love your compassion and your empathy. One of my favourite moments in Australia was when a young lady was crying at the airport and you went and cuddled her legs and smiled at her.
3. I love your smile, the way you light up a room and make everyone feel happy.
4. I love your bravery. Not only when you were in hospital for all that time, but you have had to have quite a few tests and things, and you always face them with a smile.
5. I love your sense of humour. You have an amazing sense of comic timing, its like living with Peter Kay!
6. I love your words. Being able to communicate with you is a joy, and I love hearing you speak. It brings such joy to me.
7. I love your cuddles. When you stand up in the cot at bed time, put your arms out and say "cuggle Mummy" it's just so lovely. And the tongue kisses!
8. I love the way you eat. Especially spaghetti and linguine. It's a joy to me to watch you devour your food.
9. I love our time together, going new places, discovering new things, I love seeing the world through your eyes.
10. I love the way you sleep, all curled up, sometimes with a little smile, you are just so cute. And I love the way you sleep 15 hours a day, even if I do worry sometimes!
1. I love the way you play. You don't need toys or fancy things. You love stones, dirt, water, pens, paper. You can play anywhere anyhow, and I love that about you.
2. I love your compassion and your empathy. One of my favourite moments in Australia was when a young lady was crying at the airport and you went and cuddled her legs and smiled at her.
3. I love your smile, the way you light up a room and make everyone feel happy.
4. I love your bravery. Not only when you were in hospital for all that time, but you have had to have quite a few tests and things, and you always face them with a smile.
5. I love your sense of humour. You have an amazing sense of comic timing, its like living with Peter Kay!
6. I love your words. Being able to communicate with you is a joy, and I love hearing you speak. It brings such joy to me.
7. I love your cuddles. When you stand up in the cot at bed time, put your arms out and say "cuggle Mummy" it's just so lovely. And the tongue kisses!
8. I love the way you eat. Especially spaghetti and linguine. It's a joy to me to watch you devour your food.
9. I love our time together, going new places, discovering new things, I love seeing the world through your eyes.
10. I love the way you sleep, all curled up, sometimes with a little smile, you are just so cute. And I love the way you sleep 15 hours a day, even if I do worry sometimes!
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Australia - Things I miss
My family - It is first and foremost. I miss my mum and dad, and my sister, and my nieces and nephew. I feel sad for Joseph that he will never have the close extended family relationship that we had as children. When I go over, its so intense, we have to pack a lot in, and its hard. I miss the natural relationship of living relatively nearby.
The bush - In Tasmania, the bush is never far away, what you would call the forest. The Australian bush smells of Eucalyptus, the oil that I burn isn't the same. Where we used to live, in Stubbins, there was a house with a blue gum in the front yard. I would stand in front of it and smell it, sometimes I'd grab a leaf and tuck it in Joseph's pram. The smell of home.
The bird song - Ive heard it said that English birds sing and Australian birds squawk, but I don't think that's true. I miss the sound of the birds, even our magpies are different. I love the sound of kookaburras, particularly in the morning.
The food - What I would give for flathead! I miss the fish, scallops and crayfish. I miss the fruit and vegetables, there is no imported fruit and vegetables, unlike here, beans from Kenya, and apples from South Africa. The downside of this is that if there is a local problem like cyclones in Queensland then the cost of fruit like bananas, absolutely sky rockets.
Branded food - I miss familiar packets in the supermarket, even now I think in Aussie brands, Arnott's biscuits, Coon cheese, Cripp's bread. I miss Aussie chocolate, like my beloved Cherry Ripes, everyone is under instruction to bring some back for me if they travel to Oz.
Eating out - Eating out is different in Australia, everywhere produces good quality food. I really miss going out for breakfast. In England its nearly always just a variation on a Full English (not that there is anything wrong with that) but going out for breakfast or brunch is a big deal in Australia and there's always a really good choice of food. I miss lunch too, the different breads, and the variety of salads, it is just so different.
Music - I find it hard to keep in touch with Aussie music, and I really miss it. I miss the the songs I grew up with coming on the radio. I miss the rock, but also the folk music and the country music I grew up with. Sometimes putting on a cd makes me so sad, and reminds me how far away I am. There is so much more to Aussie music than INXS, Kylie Minogue and Crowded House.
Craft - I think there's a number of factors, but more Australians seem to craft than people here. I think given the work life balance is better, people have more time. You can source good fabrics and things here, but it is much harder than back home. I miss our big craft shops like Spotlight and Lincraft, and I always stock up when I go home.
The accent, slang and jocularity - Aussies will talk to anyone, they are open and friendly. I love the accent, and I really miss it. I am always accent spotting, and gladly launch on anyone I hear, and have a natter. I love talking to people from back home, but its very rare that I find a Tasmanian. When Joseph and I arrived in Australia this time, we got into a lovely conversation at the airport bus station, and nattered about football with the bus drivers. One even gave us a dollar to buy Joseph an icecream!
Football - I dearly miss Australian Rules my beloved Richmond Tigers. I miss watcing the football with people who care, watching it at home with my soccer loving husband just isn't the same. I miss the banter, the tradition and the hot men! Fancy playing a game with a ball in long shorts with long sleeves, what is the point? And running around for 90 minutes for a zero score, what's that about?
The light - notice I haven't said weather, I am not sure whether I have acclimatised, but I don't miss the weather back home, (which is much easier to say in July than it is in December) but I do miss the light. I can't describe it, its just different.
The water - In Tasmania you are never far from the sea, and I miss being close to the sea and the beach, the salt water smell.
Current affairs - I miss news reporting and current affairs shows like 4 Corners. Aussies have an inquistivenss and honesty that is very different to here. My favourite show is Australian Story, thank heavens for the internet, that is one show I can catch up on.
What I don't miss:-
Clothes shopping. Fat chicks are much better catered for in the UK. There is more choice, the fat clothes are cheaper, and they are much more fashionable.
Supermarkets. When I first went to Tesco, I was amazed. Fancy being able to buy clothes, tvs, toys in a supermarket. And the ready meals. Although I rarely buy them, at times they are handy!
Public transport. I find England amazing, so easy to get around, and I have a lot more mobility than I did back home.
The bush - In Tasmania, the bush is never far away, what you would call the forest. The Australian bush smells of Eucalyptus, the oil that I burn isn't the same. Where we used to live, in Stubbins, there was a house with a blue gum in the front yard. I would stand in front of it and smell it, sometimes I'd grab a leaf and tuck it in Joseph's pram. The smell of home.
The bird song - Ive heard it said that English birds sing and Australian birds squawk, but I don't think that's true. I miss the sound of the birds, even our magpies are different. I love the sound of kookaburras, particularly in the morning.
The food - What I would give for flathead! I miss the fish, scallops and crayfish. I miss the fruit and vegetables, there is no imported fruit and vegetables, unlike here, beans from Kenya, and apples from South Africa. The downside of this is that if there is a local problem like cyclones in Queensland then the cost of fruit like bananas, absolutely sky rockets.
Branded food - I miss familiar packets in the supermarket, even now I think in Aussie brands, Arnott's biscuits, Coon cheese, Cripp's bread. I miss Aussie chocolate, like my beloved Cherry Ripes, everyone is under instruction to bring some back for me if they travel to Oz.
Eating out - Eating out is different in Australia, everywhere produces good quality food. I really miss going out for breakfast. In England its nearly always just a variation on a Full English (not that there is anything wrong with that) but going out for breakfast or brunch is a big deal in Australia and there's always a really good choice of food. I miss lunch too, the different breads, and the variety of salads, it is just so different.
Music - I find it hard to keep in touch with Aussie music, and I really miss it. I miss the the songs I grew up with coming on the radio. I miss the rock, but also the folk music and the country music I grew up with. Sometimes putting on a cd makes me so sad, and reminds me how far away I am. There is so much more to Aussie music than INXS, Kylie Minogue and Crowded House.
Craft - I think there's a number of factors, but more Australians seem to craft than people here. I think given the work life balance is better, people have more time. You can source good fabrics and things here, but it is much harder than back home. I miss our big craft shops like Spotlight and Lincraft, and I always stock up when I go home.
The accent, slang and jocularity - Aussies will talk to anyone, they are open and friendly. I love the accent, and I really miss it. I am always accent spotting, and gladly launch on anyone I hear, and have a natter. I love talking to people from back home, but its very rare that I find a Tasmanian. When Joseph and I arrived in Australia this time, we got into a lovely conversation at the airport bus station, and nattered about football with the bus drivers. One even gave us a dollar to buy Joseph an icecream!
Football - I dearly miss Australian Rules my beloved Richmond Tigers. I miss watcing the football with people who care, watching it at home with my soccer loving husband just isn't the same. I miss the banter, the tradition and the hot men! Fancy playing a game with a ball in long shorts with long sleeves, what is the point? And running around for 90 minutes for a zero score, what's that about?
The light - notice I haven't said weather, I am not sure whether I have acclimatised, but I don't miss the weather back home, (which is much easier to say in July than it is in December) but I do miss the light. I can't describe it, its just different.
The water - In Tasmania you are never far from the sea, and I miss being close to the sea and the beach, the salt water smell.
Current affairs - I miss news reporting and current affairs shows like 4 Corners. Aussies have an inquistivenss and honesty that is very different to here. My favourite show is Australian Story, thank heavens for the internet, that is one show I can catch up on.
What I don't miss:-
Clothes shopping. Fat chicks are much better catered for in the UK. There is more choice, the fat clothes are cheaper, and they are much more fashionable.
Supermarkets. When I first went to Tesco, I was amazed. Fancy being able to buy clothes, tvs, toys in a supermarket. And the ready meals. Although I rarely buy them, at times they are handy!
Public transport. I find England amazing, so easy to get around, and I have a lot more mobility than I did back home.
Monday, 25 July 2011
Farewell to Fairfield
One cold day in 2004 I was walking through the centre of Bury and came across a large protest. People were milling about asking for signatures. The petitions were to try to save the local hospital's maternity unit, including special care baby unit. That hospital was Fairfield. Back in 2004 I hadn't met my husband. I was pretty much resigned to not having a baby, ever, so I certainly didn't think I would ever need the maternity unit and much less the special care baby unit. But, I felt it was essential to have local services so signed the peition.
At booking with the midwife I was given the choice of two hospitals, either Fairfield General or Salford Royal. Salford would require 1 bus and two trams to get to and fro, so I chose Bury, just two buses, and only 15 minutes by car.
This week, after a protracted fight, and several stays of execution the decision was made an handed down. Our hospital's maternity unit and special care baby unit will close in March 2012.
I am bereft. I think there are several reasons I am so upset about it. First and foremost, its sentimental. My son was born in that hospital, all my photos and videos were taken in that hospital. It was his home, and I love that hospital. My life was saved in that maternity unit.
I am scared for local women. The newspaper article is misleading. There are not 4 hospitals with in 7 miles, there are two, the other two options are birth centres, which are not suitable for all pregnant women. I would not, even if I'd gone to term, been a candidate for a birthing unit.
I am scared that had we had to travel further, whether I would have got to hospital in a timesly manner. When we rang at 3 in the morning we were urged to go straight in. Had we had to travel 30 minutes or so, would we have done it? I'm not sure. And it worries me.
And then the travel. All the article and the comments afterwards concentrate on are those straight forward births. One in nine babies are born prematurely, which means one in nine families, potentially have the wrench of being away from their babies. From many parts of Bury to get to either of the two hospitals is a journey that will require at least 2 and usually 3 buses, at a cost of £5 a day. That's a lot to ask, in my opinion.
And then there is the aftercare. Our unit was small, everyone knew us, I never felt scared to ring the unit after Joseph's discharge to ask silly questions, the staff at the local unit are always so happy to see us. It's a caring family unit, the care is second to none.
I can see a little of the reasoning of the NHS trust, to consoldiate services and modernise them, however, I think centralising is wrong, and has missed the mark. Local services are essential.
The fight isn't over, it continues, but I think the writing is well and truly on the wall.
At booking with the midwife I was given the choice of two hospitals, either Fairfield General or Salford Royal. Salford would require 1 bus and two trams to get to and fro, so I chose Bury, just two buses, and only 15 minutes by car.
This week, after a protracted fight, and several stays of execution the decision was made an handed down. Our hospital's maternity unit and special care baby unit will close in March 2012.
I am bereft. I think there are several reasons I am so upset about it. First and foremost, its sentimental. My son was born in that hospital, all my photos and videos were taken in that hospital. It was his home, and I love that hospital. My life was saved in that maternity unit.
I am scared for local women. The newspaper article is misleading. There are not 4 hospitals with in 7 miles, there are two, the other two options are birth centres, which are not suitable for all pregnant women. I would not, even if I'd gone to term, been a candidate for a birthing unit.
I am scared that had we had to travel further, whether I would have got to hospital in a timesly manner. When we rang at 3 in the morning we were urged to go straight in. Had we had to travel 30 minutes or so, would we have done it? I'm not sure. And it worries me.
And then the travel. All the article and the comments afterwards concentrate on are those straight forward births. One in nine babies are born prematurely, which means one in nine families, potentially have the wrench of being away from their babies. From many parts of Bury to get to either of the two hospitals is a journey that will require at least 2 and usually 3 buses, at a cost of £5 a day. That's a lot to ask, in my opinion.
And then there is the aftercare. Our unit was small, everyone knew us, I never felt scared to ring the unit after Joseph's discharge to ask silly questions, the staff at the local unit are always so happy to see us. It's a caring family unit, the care is second to none.
I can see a little of the reasoning of the NHS trust, to consoldiate services and modernise them, however, I think centralising is wrong, and has missed the mark. Local services are essential.
The fight isn't over, it continues, but I think the writing is well and truly on the wall.
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