Broken Britain
Discussion
I experienced an incident the other night which really brought home how broken Britain now is. Anyone else have any experiences?
Cycling home at 11pm from work, through a fairly deprived area. Up ahead there is a car with hazards on, blocking a lane. As I approach, a woman asks for help. She has found her ~20yr old son, who has been out walking for the past 12 hours, no shoes on. Feet red raw, clearly drastically dehydrated, standing but not responding and refusing to get in her car. There are also two young females ~age 16 also trying to help (credit to them). The mother has called the mental health service he reports to, no support available.
The chap has a history of mental health issues, has been sectioned ectect.
Try negotiating with the chap, after 15 minutes the police are called, get told it's not a police issue ring ambulance. The ambulance service take in excess of 20 mins to attempt to triage over the phone. Clearly reluctant to send an ambulance.
Then two drunks/druggies turn up, threatening to get in the vehicle. By this point chaos ensues, the mother is basically having a breakdown trying to deal with her son whilst trying to prevent her car from being stolen. There is a commotion in the road, the car still with it's hazards on. Thankfully I see a police car coming towards, lots of waving, surely they'll stop....it drives straight past. I end up having to chase down the police car on my road bike, and not particularly politely asking him to get the hell back up to the scene, at which point he calls in another two crews.
It has just struck me what a bad position we are in, social services with no capacity, police who are overstretched and clearly trying to avoid situations, ambulance service clearly overstretched.
Cycling home at 11pm from work, through a fairly deprived area. Up ahead there is a car with hazards on, blocking a lane. As I approach, a woman asks for help. She has found her ~20yr old son, who has been out walking for the past 12 hours, no shoes on. Feet red raw, clearly drastically dehydrated, standing but not responding and refusing to get in her car. There are also two young females ~age 16 also trying to help (credit to them). The mother has called the mental health service he reports to, no support available.
The chap has a history of mental health issues, has been sectioned ectect.
Try negotiating with the chap, after 15 minutes the police are called, get told it's not a police issue ring ambulance. The ambulance service take in excess of 20 mins to attempt to triage over the phone. Clearly reluctant to send an ambulance.
Then two drunks/druggies turn up, threatening to get in the vehicle. By this point chaos ensues, the mother is basically having a breakdown trying to deal with her son whilst trying to prevent her car from being stolen. There is a commotion in the road, the car still with it's hazards on. Thankfully I see a police car coming towards, lots of waving, surely they'll stop....it drives straight past. I end up having to chase down the police car on my road bike, and not particularly politely asking him to get the hell back up to the scene, at which point he calls in another two crews.
It has just struck me what a bad position we are in, social services with no capacity, police who are overstretched and clearly trying to avoid situations, ambulance service clearly overstretched.
ked us, enabled by the Tory membership and supporters and weak opposition parties, their membership and supporters. If it makes you feel any better, all my European colleagues all moan about the same stuff as we do in their own countries. Spain, Italy and France seem to be going backwards faster than we are.
That being said, the ineffectiveness of our police does seem to be on another level to the Europeans.
That being said, the ineffectiveness of our police does seem to be on another level to the Europeans.
Yep, a sad reality of where the uk is now and the writing was on the wall years ago tbh.
Horrific and hats off to you for trying to help, i’m also not able to turn my back on someone in distress not something you able to make a decision in and why i cant be in a society that broken.
We buggered off 15 years ago now, never looked back, immeasurably better elsewhere in europe & on so many levels.
UK is heading for even darker times unfortunately, as is much of the world sadly, we’re now considering making our lives completely mobile / flexible, mainly because of weather trends but i’m sure other things may well play a part as well..
Horrific and hats off to you for trying to help, i’m also not able to turn my back on someone in distress not something you able to make a decision in and why i cant be in a society that broken.
We buggered off 15 years ago now, never looked back, immeasurably better elsewhere in europe & on so many levels.
UK is heading for even darker times unfortunately, as is much of the world sadly, we’re now considering making our lives completely mobile / flexible, mainly because of weather trends but i’m sure other things may well play a part as well..
Crumpet said:
If it makes you feel any better, all my European colleagues all moan about the same stuff as we do in their own countries. Spain, Italy and France seem to be going backwards faster than we are.
That being said, the ineffectiveness of our police does seem to be on another level to the Europeans.
I hear similar from pals abroad. We have this assumption that only our country experiences tougher times. It's not true. That being said, the ineffectiveness of our police does seem to be on another level to the Europeans.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
Nothing to add with respect to our services, but well done for stopping and helping OP... There's hope when folks like you stop and help and don't just pass by.
Whilst I appreciate your comment, I'd hope any decent person would stop. As I say credit to the younger girls who where there before me.I couldn't really do much tbh, I guess flagging down the police car later on was the best I did.
Cats_pyjamas said:
TGCOTF-dewey said:
Nothing to add with respect to our services, but well done for stopping and helping OP... There's hope when folks like you stop and help and don't just pass by.
Whilst I appreciate your comment, I'd hope any decent person would stop. As I say credit to the younger girls who where there before me.I couldn't really do much tbh, I guess flagging down the police car later on was the best I did.
Well done OP for trying to help, I like to think most decent people would do the same.
On the subject of Broken Britain I saw three TV programs one night last week, one about pot holes and LTNs, another about the appalling state of the Probation Service and another which I have forgotten.
Yep, this country is falling apart, the list is endless.
Just remembered, the other programme was about the city Councils that are basically bankrupt, predominantly Birmingham.
On the subject of Broken Britain I saw three TV programs one night last week, one about pot holes and LTNs, another about the appalling state of the Probation Service and another which I have forgotten.
Yep, this country is falling apart, the list is endless.
Just remembered, the other programme was about the city Councils that are basically bankrupt, predominantly Birmingham.
Edited by DS129 on Saturday 25th May 10:11
Putting political time, and money, into boring stuff like mental health, probation, outreach and grass roots emergency services does not win votes and leadership contests.
Stopping brown people on lilos and arguing about pansexual gender curious wheelie bins however, does.
You did a good thing. We need more people who care like you.
Stopping brown people on lilos and arguing about pansexual gender curious wheelie bins however, does.
You did a good thing. We need more people who care like you.
Mabbs9 said:
Crumpet said:
If it makes you feel any better, all my European colleagues all moan about the same stuff as we do in their own countries. Spain, Italy and France seem to be going backwards faster than we are.
That being said, the ineffectiveness of our police does seem to be on another level to the Europeans.
I hear similar from pals abroad. We have this assumption that only our country experiences tougher times. It's not true. That being said, the ineffectiveness of our police does seem to be on another level to the Europeans.
Just to offer a bit of balance.
I was in the Cairngorms and broke my ankle. Rangers picked me up from the Balmoral Estate. Ambulance was waiting at the bottom and were willing to take me to Aberdeen A&E but I managed to get my son to drive us so that we could stick together.
I got to A&E around 6pm so here we go, the busy hectic hospital emergency. Nope, I was in and out in less than an hour: triage, consultation, X-ray, boot strap, recheck and another set of X rays to check alignment. Some painkillers and sent on my way.
I've never had such good service in a hospital even when I was with BUPA. It was a bit surreal. Most polite, courteous, considerate caring staff I've ever met. But it was very quiet there for some reason.
I was in the Cairngorms and broke my ankle. Rangers picked me up from the Balmoral Estate. Ambulance was waiting at the bottom and were willing to take me to Aberdeen A&E but I managed to get my son to drive us so that we could stick together.
I got to A&E around 6pm so here we go, the busy hectic hospital emergency. Nope, I was in and out in less than an hour: triage, consultation, X-ray, boot strap, recheck and another set of X rays to check alignment. Some painkillers and sent on my way.
I've never had such good service in a hospital even when I was with BUPA. It was a bit surreal. Most polite, courteous, considerate caring staff I've ever met. But it was very quiet there for some reason.
Mabbs9 said:
Crumpet said:
If it makes you feel any better, all my European colleagues all moan about the same stuff as we do in their own countries. Spain, Italy and France seem to be going backwards faster than we are.
That being said, the ineffectiveness of our police does seem to be on another level to the Europeans.
I hear similar from pals abroad. We have this assumption that only our country experiences tougher times. It's not true. That being said, the ineffectiveness of our police does seem to be on another level to the Europeans.
creating a moble lifestyle is the key to staying one step ahead imo, very difficult for most people who need to work or have family commitments though..
We always thought creating your own world laying your hat there would be sufficient, its not, you can shield yourself from most things but weather will always drive us (if not everyone) & health services become very important, i dont particularly like Spain but the coastal weather and private health system is brilliant vs other places right now but we’re looking more world wide next time as europe itself is not looking brilliant, particularly bad year weather wise with el nino antics this year, which is a 7 year cycle but due to reduce & become 5 year cycle and so on..
Interesting watching the decline of uk through PH over the 15 years (been on here 24 years
) we’ve been here, i’m not saying its indicative of the uk but your news seems to echoe what goes on & my yearly visits certainly confirm my thoughts & opinions, sad 
Edited by Kerniki on Saturday 25th May 11:26
Wills2 said:
Yep, as someone else once said, Don't get old, Don't be poor and Don't get ill.
We're in a dreadful state.
Agrred, all most people want is the things we took for granted when I was younger. We're in a dreadful state.
1)Decent roads without potholes
2)Being able to see a Dr
3lAcceptable hospital waiting lists
4)The police turning up when you call them and actually having the power to arrest people.
5)If you work full time having some spare money to enjoy yourself and not living hand to mouth despite working full time.
6)being able to afford to buy a house.
The governemt are an utterley corrupt organisation, only concerned with making money for their masters, big business.
leef44 said:
Just to offer a bit of balance.
I was in the Cairngorms and broke my ankle. Rangers picked me up from the Balmoral Estate. Ambulance was waiting at the bottom and were willing to take me to Aberdeen A&E but I managed to get my son to drive us so that we could stick together.
I got to A&E around 6pm so here we go, the busy hectic hospital emergency. Nope, I was in and out in less than an hour: triage, consultation, X-ray, boot strap, recheck and another set of X rays to check alignment. Some painkillers and sent on my way.
I've never had such good service in a hospital even when I was with BUPA. It was a bit surreal. Most polite, courteous, considerate caring staff I've ever met. But it was very quiet there for some reason.
I was in the Cairngorms and broke my ankle. Rangers picked me up from the Balmoral Estate. Ambulance was waiting at the bottom and were willing to take me to Aberdeen A&E but I managed to get my son to drive us so that we could stick together.
I got to A&E around 6pm so here we go, the busy hectic hospital emergency. Nope, I was in and out in less than an hour: triage, consultation, X-ray, boot strap, recheck and another set of X rays to check alignment. Some painkillers and sent on my way.
I've never had such good service in a hospital even when I was with BUPA. It was a bit surreal. Most polite, courteous, considerate caring staff I've ever met. But it was very quiet there for some reason.
NHS Aberdeen is in such a locality it is obviously not buckling inder the strain of
infinity benefit tourists and thus are able to serve the general public swiftly and efficiently.
It used to be like this all over the UK.
Something happened in 1997, can someone remember ?
Am surprised to read that the OP’s bike wasn’t stolen in the midst of it all tbh!
The country is broke, central and local governments have no money. No money for schools, roads, police,…. How did it get this bad - why didn’t we see this situation unfolding years ago?
And, quite simply, where did all the money go?
Rates rises of 20-30% are on the cards next…
The country is broke, central and local governments have no money. No money for schools, roads, police,…. How did it get this bad - why didn’t we see this situation unfolding years ago?
And, quite simply, where did all the money go?
Rates rises of 20-30% are on the cards next…
Screenwash said:
Am surprised to read that the OP’s bike wasn’t stolen in the midst of it all tbh!
The country is broke, central and local governments have no money. No money for schools, roads, police,…. How did it get this bad - why didn’t we see this situation unfolding years ago?
And, quite simply, where did all the money go?
Rates rises of 20-30% are on the cards next…
They do have money, they have billions collectively. It's how they use it that's the issue.The country is broke, central and local governments have no money. No money for schools, roads, police,…. How did it get this bad - why didn’t we see this situation unfolding years ago?
And, quite simply, where did all the money go?
Rates rises of 20-30% are on the cards next…
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
Agrred, all most people want is the things we took for granted when I was younger.
1)Decent roads without potholes
2)Being able to see a Dr
3lAcceptable hospital waiting lists
4)The police turning up when you call them and actually having the power to arrest people.
5)If you work full time having some spare money to enjoy yourself and not living hand to mouth despite working full time.
6)being able to afford to buy a house.
The governemt are an utterley corrupt organisation, only concerned with making money for their masters, big business.
And the government are making trans gender a key election issue 1)Decent roads without potholes
2)Being able to see a Dr
3lAcceptable hospital waiting lists
4)The police turning up when you call them and actually having the power to arrest people.
5)If you work full time having some spare money to enjoy yourself and not living hand to mouth despite working full time.
6)being able to afford to buy a house.
The governemt are an utterley corrupt organisation, only concerned with making money for their masters, big business.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff