Over capacity isn’t a headline. It’s people. I want to talk about something that’s been sitting heavy with me — and I know I won’t be the only one. (In the UK) The NHS isn’t failing because of the people who work in it. It’s failing because it’s overwhelmed. A few weeks ago my mum fell and split her head open. A deep gash. Blood everywhere. She was left waiting for around 8 hours. In the end, they made the call to stitch her up at home. She fell again not long after. Same situation. Long wait. This time, thankfully, she did go in — because if she hadn’t, she would have died. Her scan showed a shadow on her brain. Her potassium levels were dangerously high. She’s been confused, shaky, unwell. And now? Two weeks later, we’re still waiting on a follow-up brain scan to rule out a stroke. This isn’t rare. This isn’t dramatic. This is normal right now. Over-capacity doesn’t look like charts and statistics. It looks like: Elderly people waiting hours after head injuries Families making medical decisions they should never have to make Serious conditions sitting in limbo because there simply aren’t enough staff, beds, or scanners The people on the wards are doing everything they can. They are exhausted. They care. But a system stretched this thin means risk lives in the waiting. I’m sharing this not for sympathy — but because these stories matter. They’re happening quietly, behind closed doors, every single day. If you’re supporting an ageing parent, a vulnerable loved one, or navigating health issues — remember to take care of yourself too 💕🤗