By Nana Ofori-Atta Oguntola
One hears quite frequently of waiting lists in the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) - with patients having to wait for up to eighteen months to have their operation sometimes. Not for patients of Dr Titus Odedun.
However, Dr Titus Odedun made a commitment early in his career when he worked with Keith Rolls who was Senior Lecturer to Sir Roy Calne at Cambridge University and New Market Hospitals. He kept this commitment through to working at Stoke Mandible Hospitals and subsequently at Ormskirk and Southport Hospitals as Consultant - and never kept a waiting list
Dr Titus Odedun firmly believed patients should be seen promptly whether on NHS or as private patients.
Titus Odedun
Dr Titus Odedun
Dr Titus Odedun ensured his efficient Secretary - Debbe, typed all patients notes within forty-eight hours and personally despatched them to patients, their referring General Practitioners (GPs) or in Medicological cases - their solicitors or insurance companies.
When surgery is indicated in hospitals where he held admitting privilege, his patients are promptly sent for and dealt with - without fuss or delay.
In over 25 years of working within the NHS, Dr Titus Odedun has never once kept a waiting list.
Titus Odedun stated that the top-heavy administration is limiting the NHS, undoubtedly one of the top inventions Britain gave to the world.
Odedun added, ‘When I was a medical student, there were less than 55,000 managers. By the time I became a Consultant, there were over a million of them frustrating doctors and lowering morale. Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians.’
I call this commitment. More of the likes of Dr Titus Odedun - and the NHS would be in a much better shape.