December 12, 2008
You have to laugh don't you!? No really you have to. Especially, Guru learns, if you're a nurse.
For the NHS has decided that nurses are a sullen bunch who make patients miserable. They need to lighten up - hell, they get paid enough don't they? Nothing to do with the poor food, the overheated wards or, oh yes, the fact that the condition they find themselves in hospital is making them feel none too chipper.
So the Richmond House of good ideas has found some consultants called HumourUs (see what they've done there?), who "encourage enjoyment in employment".
Yours Truly remembers more than once a nurse bringing quite a big smile to his face - what is the NHS thinking?
Rumour has it that dear old Florence Nightingale may be to blame. It's true, she may have pioneered nursing with her Lamp, but show Guru a picture of the matron smiling and you may need to take his blood pressure.
HumourUs co-founder Kate Hull Rodgers told Nursing Standard:
'Nurses are now doing more prescribing and paperwork and some have difficulties juggling patient contact with their new role.
'I help them to enjoy their jobs using laughter and humour. And that has a positive effect on patient care.'
Guru has another tip to make patients happy. Tell them ( a) they're cured and (b) they're going home.
The last thing we want are nurses faking it. Second thoughts, Guru may be coming round to the idea... ooh Matron!
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