Rescue

I am very good at wishful thinking.
But this afternoon even I recognised that rather than recovering this week, I've been getting worse again (more coughing, intermittent fever etc).
R was out meeting Eben and Luca from school.
What followed was a reassuring cycle, NHS systems working as they should.
I called 111; the automated triage system told me to ring 999. An ambulance appeared 25 minutes later with 2 paramedics. They checked me over, conferred with our GP on the phone and arranged for me to go into the "Same Day Emergency Care" centre adjacent to the main hospital A and E. So rather than having to wait for more triage, I was soon having blood tests and a chest x-ray. Richard, Jack and Ruth all arrived to keep me company.
It's pneumonia in one lung, and I came home with some strong antibiotics.
And a massive sense of appreciation for all this kind and timely help. We hear so much about difficulties in the NHS - mainly the result of all the damaging Tory years, in my view. It was heartening to see how well it can still work - although so often the price is stress and overwork for staff.