Not sure what this says, really

[oursin]

But sometimes things do work the way they're supposed to, and in a fairly if not wholly frictionless way, and maybe I am just aware of this because of seeing hither and yon People Having Issues with Banks over what one would assume are contingencies that must surely arise really often in the course of business that banks have to do with -

Admittedly this did not have to do with financial institutions, and was indeed about that maligned sector of Public Services.

Anyway, I mentioned the other day that due to Changes we were obliged to apply for new paid-for parking vouchers for visitors, mutter groan, but, honestly, I filled in the online form and uploaded my scanned documents to confirm address and age one evening, and the very next day they got back to say acceptable and registered on the system, so I was able to apply for vouchers at discounted cost for the OLDZ. And lo and behold they arrived the very next day.

Let's hear it for the much maligned People's Republic of [North London Borough] Council, eh?

Who were also entirely expeditious a few weeks ago about getting out our postal votes for the various local elections.

Then yesterday I set off for my Audiology appointment at hospital I think I last visited when I was in a research programme some years years ago. And I was seen without undue waiting, in fact possibly even a bit earlier than scheduled time, and I was not sent home for not having had my ears syringed, but given a very thorough hearing test. And I indeed I do qualify for hearing aids, but because there is a differential hearing loss between ears the audiologist is also making a referral to ENT to look into that.

I may also remark that the Tube runs with perfect adequacy, and admirable frequency, and okay, there was one lift not working at one station, but the others were.

Maybe it's just that at present one sometimes feels that the glass is falling down and down for ever, and the evidence that some things are still actually functioning in spite of everything is cause for note?

Comments

[sartorias]

I've one ear far worse than the other as well. Hearing aids are such a boon.

[msilverstar]

So much negativity, there needs to be a balance!

[darkemeralds]

I love this--for you, and for my sense of hope. Yes, many things, for many people, still work pretty well, and I think it's important not to lose sight of those things while dutifully facing the less-good.

I just got hearing aids myself. Does your NHS cover them? That would be so amazing!

[oursin]

Yes, NHS covers them! I am not sure they are quite so spiffy as what one would get privately at Boots or Specsavers, but they look very small and neat and not at all the equivalent of the old NHS specs of my childhood.

[darkemeralds]

I waited and waited till a pair came on the market that could do at least SOME of what my bluetooth earbuds can do. They're not a direct substitute, but they do, of course, actually shape and amplify incoming sounds, and they aren't at all noticeable to others. (Because...disability shame, ageism, etc., sigh.)

[silveradept]

The workings of things such as Public Services is almost always something of note, because so many entities are determined to destroy them to the point where they cannot possibly function and can thus be turned into something that does not work, but generates profit for a vulture in not working.

[rmc28]

I should comment that while one hears much doom and gloom about the NHS, a beloved friend is going through breast cancer treatment right now, and everything has happened with gratifying speed from her first going "hmm, this seems like a suspicious lump".

[cesy]

Thank you, it's good to remember the things that work as they should.

[lokifan]

Honestly that's really nice to hear, especially as the train strikes drag on and the NHS struggles etc etc. Yay for things working!

[oursin]

Also the Thames may be about to do a re-enactment of the Great Stink, but I recently saw a report that the air quality in London continues to improve in spite of the frothings of the anti-ULEZ crowd.

[lokifan]

Oh yeah, and it's got MASSIVELY better in the formerly-worst areas, I think? So good.