MsPottingShed
@mspottingshed.bsky.social
Gardener, reader, observer, dreamer. Married to Mr Oh-I-Thought-It-Was-a-Weed.
P.S. I think when they get caught out by short staffing (in other words not wanting to employ "too many" AHPs with resultant costs) they try to farm off the "small stuff" to GP/NHS clinics. While next day said specialists turning up to NHS hospitals to do the work that gives them consultant status
February 13, 2026 at 9:59 PM
P.S. I think when they get caught out by short staffing (in other words not wanting to employ "too many" AHPs with resultant costs) they try to farm off the "small stuff" to GP/NHS clinics. While next day said specialists turning up to NHS hospitals to do the work that gives them consultant status
They really do! I was surprised they were trying to offload a blood test to my GP, considering they (private) could ask £90 for it from the patient. I guessed they were short-staffed that week. They'd be raking it in with surgeon + anaesthetist for procedure, so why else offload to GP for bloods?
February 13, 2026 at 9:54 PM
They really do! I was surprised they were trying to offload a blood test to my GP, considering they (private) could ask £90 for it from the patient. I guessed they were short-staffed that week. They'd be raking it in with surgeon + anaesthetist for procedure, so why else offload to GP for bloods?
Valentine's Day tomorrow! Mr Shed and I never do anything for this (we don't really do dates. Not birthdays, Christmas, whatever. It's all "time") but we do consider this to be our song. We were together long before this, of course, but for us, well, it's just "us" 😊 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PdK...
Suede - Trash (Official Video)
YouTube video by Suede HQ
www.youtube.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Valentine's Day tomorrow! Mr Shed and I never do anything for this (we don't really do dates. Not birthdays, Christmas, whatever. It's all "time") but we do consider this to be our song. We were together long before this, of course, but for us, well, it's just "us" 😊 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PdK...
Mr Shed is watching football in his "den". "Who are you playing?" I asked. "Hull," he said. I said they should at least do well in that game and it seems they are. Comes to something tho' when I'm cheering him on with perky predictions such as that! 😁
February 13, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Mr Shed is watching football in his "den". "Who are you playing?" I asked. "Hull," he said. I said they should at least do well in that game and it seems they are. Comes to something tho' when I'm cheering him on with perky predictions such as that! 😁
Reposted by MsPottingShed
P.S. So yes, I agree that for patients it's easy to state their own case/concerns with a GP and be a refusenik. Often supported by GP in final decision. But once you're up against a specialty, good luck with getting past that without worrying yourself sick afterwards you've done the wrong thing! 😬
February 13, 2026 at 9:07 PM
P.S. So yes, I agree that for patients it's easy to state their own case/concerns with a GP and be a refusenik. Often supported by GP in final decision. But once you're up against a specialty, good luck with getting past that without worrying yourself sick afterwards you've done the wrong thing! 😬
2/2 A phone consult. I'd said to Mr Shed beforehand "You're going to be put on a statin." He said "Why?" and I said because it's CARDIOLOGY! It's what they do. And they did. To be fair they listened to all his concerns on this and prescribed one with the least impact on muscles. No probs thus far 😊
February 13, 2026 at 9:01 PM
2/2 A phone consult. I'd said to Mr Shed beforehand "You're going to be put on a statin." He said "Why?" and I said because it's CARDIOLOGY! It's what they do. And they did. To be fair they listened to all his concerns on this and prescribed one with the least impact on muscles. No probs thus far 😊
Mr Shed had one of those NHS lung scans last year (seems to be a new screening thing for smokers and ex-smokers). Anyhoo, lungs fine and minor calcification spotted around the heart - not a surprise given age/formerly a smoker. Mr Shed automatically referred for consult with cardiology 2/2
February 13, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Mr Shed had one of those NHS lung scans last year (seems to be a new screening thing for smokers and ex-smokers). Anyhoo, lungs fine and minor calcification spotted around the heart - not a surprise given age/formerly a smoker. Mr Shed automatically referred for consult with cardiology 2/2
2/2 I was so grateful. But when I then attended for pre-procedure check up at the private hospital they asked me to ask my GP to do the bloods for creatinine. I said no way! Not her job. Cost me another 90 quid on top for private hospital to do it but what a flamin' cheek for them to even ask me!
February 13, 2026 at 8:39 PM
2/2 I was so grateful. But when I then attended for pre-procedure check up at the private hospital they asked me to ask my GP to do the bloods for creatinine. I said no way! Not her job. Cost me another 90 quid on top for private hospital to do it but what a flamin' cheek for them to even ask me!
It's a bit of a nightmare as a patient when you engage with the private sector. I did a few years back due to frightening long NHS waiting list and asked my GP for referral to private. She kindly obliged and when I asked what cost of referral would be I was told that GPs don't charge for this 1/2
February 13, 2026 at 8:35 PM
It's a bit of a nightmare as a patient when you engage with the private sector. I did a few years back due to frightening long NHS waiting list and asked my GP for referral to private. She kindly obliged and when I asked what cost of referral would be I was told that GPs don't charge for this 1/2
Reposted by MsPottingShed
Book 5 / 2026
Pin Ups 1972 - Peter Stanfield
Can't recall who first recommended this, but I'd like to thank them, because it's an excellent read.
Somehow, the period you were waiting to get on the scene - all anticipation - is almost more nostalgia-inducing than the moment you get out there.
cont'd
Pin Ups 1972 - Peter Stanfield
Can't recall who first recommended this, but I'd like to thank them, because it's an excellent read.
Somehow, the period you were waiting to get on the scene - all anticipation - is almost more nostalgia-inducing than the moment you get out there.
cont'd
February 13, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Book 5 / 2026
Pin Ups 1972 - Peter Stanfield
Can't recall who first recommended this, but I'd like to thank them, because it's an excellent read.
Somehow, the period you were waiting to get on the scene - all anticipation - is almost more nostalgia-inducing than the moment you get out there.
cont'd
Pin Ups 1972 - Peter Stanfield
Can't recall who first recommended this, but I'd like to thank them, because it's an excellent read.
Somehow, the period you were waiting to get on the scene - all anticipation - is almost more nostalgia-inducing than the moment you get out there.
cont'd
Reposted by MsPottingShed
Peter Murrell accused of embezzling £459,000 from SNP, court papers show
Peter Murrell accused of embezzling £459,000 from SNP, court papers show
Ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon and former CEO of party is due to appear in Glasgow court next Friday
The former chief executive of the Scottish National party (SNP) Peter Murrell has been accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a period of more than 12 years, according to court documents that emerged ahead of a court hearing.
Murrell, the ex-husband of former first minister and party leader Nicola Sturgeon, is due to appear at the high court in Glasgow next Friday for a preliminary hearing in the case. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Peter Murrell accused of embezzling £459,000 from SNP, court papers show
Reposted by MsPottingShed
Another instance of NICE guidelines being ignored with desperately tragic consequences.
#MECFS #NEISVOID
'My husband stole £600k for sex and antiques' - drug side effects tearing families apart - BBC News share.google/z6iSLDziNWAk...
#MECFS #NEISVOID
'My husband stole £600k for sex and antiques' - drug side effects tearing families apart - BBC News share.google/z6iSLDziNWAk...
'My husband stole £600k for sex and antiques' - drug side effects tearing families apart
Side effects of a common Parkinson’s medications had devastating consequences on one family, BBC hears.
share.google
February 13, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Another instance of NICE guidelines being ignored with desperately tragic consequences.
#MECFS #NEISVOID
'My husband stole £600k for sex and antiques' - drug side effects tearing families apart - BBC News share.google/z6iSLDziNWAk...
#MECFS #NEISVOID
'My husband stole £600k for sex and antiques' - drug side effects tearing families apart - BBC News share.google/z6iSLDziNWAk...
P.P.S. Just want to say, given the (fabulous) song lyrics that we were both *way* beyond "missing out school"! We were certainly NOT kids, either of us (and no mistake, as we cockneys say 😁)
February 11, 2026 at 11:49 PM
P.P.S. Just want to say, given the (fabulous) song lyrics that we were both *way* beyond "missing out school"! We were certainly NOT kids, either of us (and no mistake, as we cockneys say 😁)
P.S. He knew I loved this song and I *would* have got up to dance, but truth was that my uncle Stan had just, at that moment, given me the champagne cork with a coin attached that he (Stan) told me was for lifelong luck. Family obligation came first! Bad timing on the part of the DJ 😉 x
February 11, 2026 at 11:37 PM
P.S. He knew I loved this song and I *would* have got up to dance, but truth was that my uncle Stan had just, at that moment, given me the champagne cork with a coin attached that he (Stan) told me was for lifelong luck. Family obligation came first! Bad timing on the part of the DJ 😉 x
Not in *that* sense which of course makes it special. I wasn't what you'd call a shy girl in the scheme of things but he was my brother's friend! 😱 He played this song for me at my brother's wedding (he was DJ) and he remarked afterwards that I didn't get up to dance! www.youtube.com/watch?v=fayL...
The Small Faces - Itchykoo Park (1967)
YouTube video by Beat-Club
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Not in *that* sense which of course makes it special. I wasn't what you'd call a shy girl in the scheme of things but he was my brother's friend! 😱 He played this song for me at my brother's wedding (he was DJ) and he remarked afterwards that I didn't get up to dance! www.youtube.com/watch?v=fayL...
A friend of my brother's, back in the late 1970s, who was a BFI member, took me to see this. I think (I know) he liked me 😉 I met up with him after many years at a family event a few years back and cultural moments like this from the past are shared history and resonate in such a good way 😊
February 11, 2026 at 11:18 PM
A friend of my brother's, back in the late 1970s, who was a BFI member, took me to see this. I think (I know) he liked me 😉 I met up with him after many years at a family event a few years back and cultural moments like this from the past are shared history and resonate in such a good way 😊
In other news today (other than my rubbish eyes) I had my hair cut. Clippered and scissored within an inch of its life with marvellously entertaining gossip/stories that went way beyond our little community up here in the Brighton hills. An hour of absolute fun and scandal! 😁
February 11, 2026 at 11:01 PM
In other news today (other than my rubbish eyes) I had my hair cut. Clippered and scissored within an inch of its life with marvellously entertaining gossip/stories that went way beyond our little community up here in the Brighton hills. An hour of absolute fun and scandal! 😁
P.S. I see my optician annually and don't have any eye probs other than long-standing rubbish eyesight + cataracts. I always pay for an OCT scan to check for more serious probs. So I reckon my ageing brain can't cope anymore with the rapid shifts involved with varifocals (plus, of course, cataracts)
February 11, 2026 at 10:13 PM
P.S. I see my optician annually and don't have any eye probs other than long-standing rubbish eyesight + cataracts. I always pay for an OCT scan to check for more serious probs. So I reckon my ageing brain can't cope anymore with the rapid shifts involved with varifocals (plus, of course, cataracts)
So beautiful! 🌳😍
February 11, 2026 at 10:03 PM
So beautiful! 🌳😍
Reposted by MsPottingShed
An afternoon of cable knitting this tree - I love knitting without a pattern, not knowing where the branches are going to 🌳❤️ #wip #knitinprogress #cableknitting #knitted #knitting #sheep #beautiful #bsnm #Autumn #knitter
February 11, 2026 at 9:53 PM
An afternoon of cable knitting this tree - I love knitting without a pattern, not knowing where the branches are going to 🌳❤️ #wip #knitinprogress #cableknitting #knitted #knitting #sheep #beautiful #bsnm #Autumn #knitter
2/2 But almost 30 years later I don't think they're serving me so well. So I googled and found this study. So that's it, I'm going to experiment with single vision glasses (and reading glasses in my handbag) plus get on the waiting list to have my cataracts done as well www.bmj.com/content/340/...
Effect on falls of providing single lens distance vision glasses to multifocal glasses wearers: VISIBLE randomised controlled trial
Objective To determine whether the provision of single lens distance glasses to older wearers of multifocal glasses reduces falls.
Design Parallel randomised controlled trial stratified by recruitmen...
www.bmj.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:00 PM
2/2 But almost 30 years later I don't think they're serving me so well. So I googled and found this study. So that's it, I'm going to experiment with single vision glasses (and reading glasses in my handbag) plus get on the waiting list to have my cataracts done as well www.bmj.com/content/340/...
Just lately I've had a suspicion that my balance and "blind spot" problems when, say, crossing a road (head turning both ways and then back to straight ahead) may be a result of my varifocal glasses. I've been wearing such glasses since my 40s and took to them like a duck to water, but... 1/2
February 11, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Just lately I've had a suspicion that my balance and "blind spot" problems when, say, crossing a road (head turning both ways and then back to straight ahead) may be a result of my varifocal glasses. I've been wearing such glasses since my 40s and took to them like a duck to water, but... 1/2
Reposted by MsPottingShed
A Glasgow glazer's advert from 1912.
February 10, 2026 at 1:36 PM
A Glasgow glazer's advert from 1912.
Reposted by MsPottingShed
Campaigners welcome ‘long overdue’ listing of brutalist Southbank Centre
Campaigners welcome ‘long overdue’ listing of brutalist Southbank Centre
Decision to grant Grade II status marks turnaround for what was once voted ‘Britain’s ugliest building’
The Southbank Centre, once voted Britain’s ugliest building, has been granted listed status, in a decision hailed by campaigners as the coming of age of brutalism.
Successive governments have resisted six separate proposals to list the centre – a set of concrete buildings made up of the Hayward Gallery, the Purcell Rooms and the Queen Elizabeth Hall, plus a makeshift skatepark in its basement. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Campaigners welcome ‘long overdue’ listing of brutalist Southbank Centre