Clare Smyth

@mgtruth @wallyt53 @StephenNolan While this program highlights the drug problem in Belfast, it is very offensive in the manner in which these vulnerable people have been exposed without any effort to protect identities.

@wallyt53 @StephenNolan & too many are resistant here to things like needle exchange facilities, testing at events etc. The addict is often more criminalised than the dealers, who are mixed in with terrorist groups. It’s an awful watch of vulnerable people let down by society imo.

Watching Peelers - the PSNI for Real on BBC1 @StephenNolan. It’s a scary reminder that drugs are behind so much of the delinquency and criminal activity in Belfast. I know we’re not unique but It’s grim. And also very sad.

@ChiefConPSNI This was a disgraceful exploitation of some of the most vulnerable people in society. There was no attempt whatsoever to protect their identities…how must the families of those unfortunate people feel watching this?

Welcoming the announcement of the second series, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “We are delighted with the overwhelming success and positive feedback we have received on the broadcast of series one of Peelers – the PSNI for Real." Read more: orlo.uk/EEk5g

@mlchealth @DannyDonnelly1 So there’s no money available for palliative care yet public funding and NHS resources will be deployed to the Ireach research state of the art facility opening next year in Belfast …priorities vs vanity projects?

How NI funds palliative care to support terminally ill people and their families: The health committee has now recommended that legislation should be introduced to ensure the commissioning & funding of palliative care in Northern Ireland. By Niall Blaney bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@mgtruth @fobakesbadly Do you not also think that misogyny was only part of the issue… there was clearly something or someone else influencing the reluctance of PSNI to act on information which would have changed the outcome of initial investigations?

I see we’ve reached the, if I didn’t see it it didn’t happen, point of acceptance. Institutional misogyny isn’t dependent on whether Burrows did or did not see or hear it. The report observed it in the actions and evidence in front of the author.

@Sir__Walsingham This case stinks to the heavens of protectionism and collusion.

This whole tragic case gets more shocking by the day. Heads need to roll in the PSNI over this.

My article in the Daily Mail today.

@AllisonMorris1 Why is the focus of MSM only on the issue of misogyny … there’s clearly other red flags of protectionism/collusion.

PSNI urged to probe death of whistleblower who tried to warn about Katie Simpson’s killer - Paul Lusby’s first attempt at alerting police was at 3.30pm on August 4, 2020, the day after Katie was admitted to hospital belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/psni-urge…

@mlchealth @BBCNewsNI If NI patients cannot access an already approved new formulation of a drug, why oh why are 10s of millions of pounds being spent on a clinical research facility at Belfast Trust?

Prof Mark Lawler, from Queen's University Belfast, said the scientific community will be "calling out" for patients in NI to have rapid access to the drug. Read more here from Barry O’Connor @BBCNewsNI bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@DrHuw @KenZeroHarm @Alison6123 And the increasing use of ACPs to replace drs is going to create the same problems in general healthcare

@Alison6123 When I first started obs anaesthesia, most midwives had been nurses & were fantastic. Used to really enjoy the labour ward Complete opposite now - no coincidence that it is a contributory factor to persisting maternity scandals nationally

The answer to improving the safety & quality of modern midwifery is not to increase their course length It would be to mandate a nursing qualification prior to commencing midwifery

@RussellScotland @DebiEvansMatron @nightsong53 Don’t forget ‘vanity projects’ and ‘empire building’

@DebiEvansMatron @nightsong53 Managerialism is what happened. A corporate management class Management consultants Private finance initiatives Key performance indicators Scale and "efficiency" Human Resources Media manipulation Reputational management Fear of vexatious litigation Capture by political ideology

Nursing in the 1970s – A World Away from Today. Back then, we changed patients’ beds daily sometimes more if needs required. Fresh, crisp sheets weren’t a luxury; they actually made people feel better. There was something healing about climbing into a clean bed with properly tucked envelope corners. We knew all our patients by name and they knew ours. Doctors in white coats and nurses in uniforms. We knew who everyone was. The ward looked welcoming. Vases of flowers from relatives and the local flower stand to the entrance of the hospital. adorned the bedsides. Families weren’t “visitors” to be tolerated, on the contrary they were welcomed, included, and often helped with little jobs. It felt like a community. Any problems, family would be 1st to spot and report. Matron ruled the roost. You didn’t want a summons to her office. One look from her and you straightened your apron and your attitude. Standards were non-negotiable. We turned bedridden or unconscious patients every two hours, religiously, to prevent pressure sores. No exceptions. Fluid balance charts hung at the end of every bed, constantly we encouraged patients to drink, recorded every sip, and took mouth care seriously. Basic care was never “basic”, it was fundamental. Doctors sometimes prescribed a pint of Guinness for the anaemic or a sherry for the frail elderly. It worked wonders for appetite and morale. After acute illness, patients went to proper convalescent homes for a week or two by the sea. Fresh air, good food, gentle exercise. It prevented bed-blocking and got people home stronger. Palliative care wasn’t a separate specialty it was woven into our training. We knew how to sit with the dying, hold a hand, ease discomfort. TLC wasn’t a slogan. It was our mantra. We didn’t have fancy equipment or endless paperwork, but we had time for patients. We saw the person, not just the diagnosis. So… what on earth went wrong? How did we move from this to where basic care is sometimes rushed or non existent, relatives feel like a nuisance, and “turning” someone properly is squeezed between targets and tick-boxes? When did we lose the simple things that actually made people feel safe and cared for? This is just the tip of an iceberg, I could go on. I’d love to hear from other nurses who trained or worked in that era. What do you remember most fondly? #Nursing #1970s #OldSchoolNursing #TLC #PatientCare

@DannyDonnelly1 @StephenNolan I watched it also and found it absolutely appalling.While it does demonstrate the challenges police face, the majority of the perpetrators were vulnerable people as a result of mental illness or substance abuse being exploited to provide Nolan click bait.

I watched the first episode of @StephenNolan’s #Peelers show last night. It’s an unfiltered view of the tough work and challenges faced by PSNI officers every day. Very worthwhile watching. bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod…

@valhumphreys51 Maybe it’s time someone looked at what happened to maternity mortality rates when the medical model was substituted with a non medically qualified profession and consider possible risks if this model is adopted across healthcare.

@irish_news Bed blocking has been exacerbated by the wholesale loss of convalescence beds and reduction in acute beds. Beds allocated to daycare services are operating at 50% capacity as they are not in use at weekends nights or public holiday resulting in further loss of available beds

The number of patients stuck in the north’s hospitals despite being medically fit to go home has risen by almost a fifth in a year, new figures show. Read more: tinyurl.com/4uv3zaxz

@jacqui_lewis18 @DrJoFranklin @valhumphreys51 @DrSteveTaylor @doctor_katie @BMA_GP And patients need to understand what has happened to primary care and advocate for adequate funding.

@DrJoFranklin @valhumphreys51 @DrSteveTaylor @doctor_katie @BMA_GP Absolutely. I hear GPs being criticised and few of those criticisms are fair. Most relate to a lack of understanding of what the GP has to do with very limited resources. Time for BMA and GPs to make a concerted effort to deflect patient dissatisfaction to where it belongs.

GPs have won a major protection for patients in their negotiations with NHSE & Govt Guarantee of referral, no target for rejections, clear documentation of Advice and Guidance with Consultant name & GMC number Patient safety is always the priority Govt needs to listen to GPs

@mgtruth I hate having to make my own in a hotel…hate the queues and the constant disruption !

I do love a hotel serving breakfast in the local pub.

"What was it about the twice-disgraced, paedophile-adjacent, self-styled Prince of Darkness that you found so attractive to put into this job?" Starmer is absolutely ROASTED by @SorchaEastwood.

Sorcha Eastwood absolutely DESTROYS Labour's utter failures in the handling of the Mandelson fiasco 🔥🔥🔥

@SorchaEastwood Well done Sorcha….not many politicians with conviction around any more

Why is this issue of fair play in public life & politics so important to me? I've seen people I've grown up with get tossed on the garbage heap of life, disregarded by a system that didn't care. I've heard career politicians make a living off the back of them. I've seen people get rich off the back of ordinary, decent workers while they still can't pay their rent. I've had enough and so have you. That's why I'll use my voice to be your voice when I get the opportunity in here. If that's too much for you, change the channel cos I'm cooking 🔥

@drlukeevans Very impressive. I also was impressed with the passion with which Sorcha Eastwood spoke… a conviction politician…which are becoming a very rare breed indeed!

"If they acted because of you. It belongs to you." I used a scene from 'A Few Good Men' which explores whether those in command can deny responsibility for actions they themselves set in motion 👇 "Watch subsequent parts of my speech in the replies) 1/4

Siorcha Eastwood you are a star . You spoke for us all today…well done!