NHS stories - good and bad experiences!

[gillian w]

Also just to add in; Just because Americans are uninsured doesn't mean they can't receive health care; nonprofits and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance, and it is illegal to refuse emergency medical service because of a lack of insurance. So they don't 'leave you to die.'

They may treat you but they still bill you so you can go bankrupt.
Our NHS is of course paid for by our taxes and national insurance but there are plenty of people it provides for where it is free.
There are many people in this country who have never paid any tax or insurance and I don't just mean the eternal unemployed.There are also the disabled.

 

[xxAmyxx]

They may treat you but they still bill you so you can go bankrupt.
Our NHS is of course paid for by our taxes and national insurance but there are plenty of people it provides for where it is free.
There are many people in this country who have never paid any tax or insurance and I don't just mean the eternal unemployed.There are also the disabled.

Exactly! So why should the people who can't be bothered to pay towards anything get it for free! (not including disabled people obviously they should.)

That's the problem with the UK they just give everyone everything for free and now people are lazy and don't want to work for things.

I see your point about the 'billing you after.' But what they could do is just regulate so insurance has to be affordable/different plans etc

 

[Steph86]

Imagine breaking your leg & being given a couple of grand bill... Yet you cant work with a broken leg. Great. Need physio? Add a grand. (Thats what a £25,000 wage would get taxed in one year gone on one service)

If you had to pay £100 to see your GP for antibiotics or medical advice. How often would you go? What If prescription drugs weren't capped?

Imagine having a life long condition & that isn't covered on your insurance... Or like my Grandad getting cancer he has had SO many appointments most recently an hour 5 days a week for 6 weeks to have treatment, I wouldn't like to even guess how much that would cost private.

Dont be too quick to knock what we have, whilst bad experiences are just awful & I wouldn't wish them on anybody. We would be lost with out our NHS. Xx

Xx

 

[xxAmyxx]

I'm not 'knocking' it I just think it could be improved by adding costs, maybe costs to see the GP £20 or something to get rid of the time wasters. People seem to go for a chat...It's a week wait at least to see my GP...Or if you are in the A&E because of alcohol or drugs you should have to pay.

 

[tonicj]

Imagine breaking your leg & being given a couple of grand bill... Yet you cant work with a broken leg. Great. Need physio? Add a grand. (Thats what a £25,000 wage would get taxed in one year gone on one service)

If you had to pay £100 to see your GP for antibiotics or medical advice. How often would you go? What If prescription drugs weren't capped?

Imagine having a life long condition & that isn't covered on your insurance... Or like my Grandad getting cancer he has had SO many appointments most recently an hour 5 days a week for 6 weeks to have treatment, I wouldn't like to even guess how much that would cost private.

Dont be too quick to knock what we have, whilst bad experiences are just awful & I wouldn't wish them on anybody. We would be lost with out our NHS. Xx




I agree. As the OP of this thread I think it is only when something happens to you and in my case it was a true matter of life and death for my Mum! She would have been LEFT TO DIE only for the intervention of someone very close who knew the system! Thankfully the outcome was good in my case. That said prior to anything happening to Mum I would have been someone who would have defended the NHS, but I guess it only takes one serious episode to make you question everything. I would not want to lose our NHS but I definitely want them to get back to where they once where and fast!!

 

[Steph86]

Imagine breaking your leg & being given a couple of grand bill... Yet you cant work with a broken leg. Great. Need physio? Add a grand. (Thats what a £25,000 wage would get taxed in one year gone on one service)

If you had to pay £100 to see your GP for antibiotics or medical advice. How often would you go? What If prescription drugs weren't capped?

Imagine having a life long condition & that isn't covered on your insurance... Or like my Grandad getting cancer he has had SO many appointments most recently an hour 5 days a week for 6 weeks to have treatment, I wouldn't like to even guess how much that would cost private.

Dont be too quick to knock what we have, whilst bad experiences are just awful & I wouldn't wish them on anybody. We would be lost with out our NHS. Xx




I agree. As the OP of this thread I think it is only when something happens to you and in my case it was a true matter of life and death for my Mum! She would have been LEFT TO DIE only for the intervention of someone very close who knew the system! Thankfully the outcome was good in my case. That said prior to anything happening to Mum I would have been someone who would have defended the NHS, but I guess it only takes one serious episode to make you question everything. I would not want to lose our NHS but I definitely want them to get back to where they once where and fast!!

Oh no, me too. As Ive said before I wouldn't wish any of the awful stories here on anyone. I just don't think we would be better off with out the NHS either. No one should have to suffer & fight for a decent amount of care. Xx

 

[PaulineM-Mobile]

I'm not 'knocking' it I just think it could be improved by adding costs, maybe costs to see the GP £20 or something to get rid of the time wasters. People seem to go for a chat...It's a week wait at least to see my GP...Or if you are in the A&E because of alcohol or drugs you should have to pay.

This would without doubt lead to countless death for numerous reasons. It would also increase the number of patients attending A&E with ailments that should have been treated by GP again increasing cost of care. A&E is crippled already with people doing this.

The people attending A&E due to drugs/alcohol do not work. The money they got of the state goes straight to there addiction (practically on the way to A&E and that's if they haven't phoned a 999 ambulance to get them there - they have no money for taxi or bus. Oops forgot one. The police are a good mode for transport too)

Not the answer I'm afraid.

Pauline.

 

[lila22]

Im afraid mine is bad, when i had my daughter 15 years ago in Liverpool i went on to have a bleed none stop for 7 months, In the end i had to have a d&c but i was told before this its normal, take the pill to stop it ect.
I went on after this to have an early menopause and ME and im sure its related.
I no we are lucky to have the NHS just my experience kind of left me angry.

I must add when i was 18 and living in tenerife i had a bad bike accident and was taken to the hospital over there, it was very scary, i was left in a corridor door on a stretcher for hours with someone else s blood on it, i actually had two gaping holes in my leg and you could see the bone and they pined me down and scrubbed them, I did say after that we are lucky to have a NHS.

I got out of that hospital as quick as i could and came home to England where i did receive excellent care. So i guess i should also remember this

 

[gillian w]

What I have learnt from my bad experiences is to demand more.Remember it is a service and yes you can ask to see certain people and you don't have to be intimidated or just accept what one person is saying.

You can also be asked to be treated at any hospital in the country if you so wish.
my sister in law went to The UCL for her cancer treatment rather than our local cancer hospital.

If you have a gut feeling your GP is wrong ask to see another GP most practices have numerous doctors for everyone in the practice.

Find out from the receptionists which gps are the best to see for certain things ie we have a gp at ours who is the one to see for skin and another is great with womens things or its also good to see the practice nurse for that.

Take charge of your own health buy a blood pressure monitor,do home tests or tests at the chemist for cholesterol,diabetes etc regularly get your eyes tested go to your mammograms and your smears.For those with money pay for a private health check like you would pay for your car to be serviced.

Another thing is if say in casualty or hospital always ask for people's names and write it down it looks like you mean business .:biggrin:

 

[tonicj]

What I have learnt from my bad experiences is to demand more.Remember it is a service and yes you can ask to see certain people and you don't have to be intimidated or just accept what one person is saying.

You can also be asked to be treated at any hospital in the country if you so wish.
my sister in law went to The UCL for her cancer treatment rather than our local cancer hospital.

If you have a gut feeling your GP is wrong ask to see another GP most practices have numerous doctors for everyone in the practice.

Find out from the receptionists which gps are the best to see for certain things ie we have a gp at ours who is the one to see for skin and another is great with womens things or its also good to see the practice nurse for that.

Take charge of your own health buy a blood pressure monitor,do home tests or tests at the chemist for cholesterol,diabetes etc regularly get your eyes tested go to your mammograms and your smears.For those with money pay for a private health check like you would pay for your car to be serviced.

Another thing is if say in casualty or hospital always ask for people's names and write it down it looks like you mean business .:biggrin:

Well said! Speak up, DO NOT be intimidated and follow your gut instinct!

 

[lila22]

What I have learnt from my bad experiences is to demand more.Remember it is a service and yes you can ask to see certain people and you don't have to be intimidated or just accept what one person is saying.

You can also be asked to be treated at any hospital in the country if you so wish.
my sister in law went to The UCL for her cancer treatment rather than our local cancer hospital.

If you have a gut feeling your GP is wrong ask to see another GP most practices have numerous doctors for everyone in the practice.

Find out from the receptionists which gps are the best to see for certain things ie we have a gp at ours who is the one to see for skin and another is great with womens things or its also good to see the practice nurse for that.

Take charge of your own health buy a blood pressure monitor,do home tests or tests at the chemist for cholesterol,diabetes etc regularly get your eyes tested go to your mammograms and your smears.For those with money pay for a private health check like you would pay for your car to be serviced.

Another thing is if say in casualty or hospital always ask for people's names and write it down it looks like you mean business .:biggrin:

Yes i have leart this, when i go to doctors or hospital i tell them what i want as i had to wait four years to get diagnosed with ME and two with the menopause (at 25) so now i tell them whats happening and dont leaved it till i get what i want. x

 

[virtues2011]

Interesting thread.

Some of these doctors and nurses do 12+ hour shifts no wonder they are dead on their feet. I feel for them.

I refuse to take no for an answer and always will have second opinions. I use a mixture of both NHS and private.

Waiting to be seen in NHS A&E I watched a patient walk into the toilet, set himself alight, open the main toilet door and stand there on fire. My husband and I had to put the flames out. He had awful burns to his arms and his glasses were melting to his face.

I've no bad reports of private at all. I have stories to tell of the NHS but don't have the time to write them.

I've argued with my GP several times on reports I'm not happy with but generally get my own way and will be referred. I think they just try and get rid of me quickly. It is true the louder you shout the quicker you are dealt with... and you do have to shout louder than the rest.

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[skingeek78]

What I have learnt from my bad experiences is to demand more.Remember it is a service and yes you can ask to see certain people and you don't have to be intimidated or just accept what one person is saying.

You can also be asked to be treated at any hospital in the country if you so wish.
my sister in law went to The UCL for her cancer treatment rather than our local cancer hospital.

If you have a gut feeling your GP is wrong ask to see another GP most practices have numerous doctors for everyone in the practice.

Find out from the receptionists which gps are the best to see for certain things ie we have a gp at ours who is the one to see for skin and another is great with womens things or its also good to see the practice nurse for that.

Take charge of your own health buy a blood pressure monitor,do home tests or tests at the chemist for cholesterol,diabetes etc regularly get your eyes tested go to your mammograms and your smears.For those with money pay for a private health check like you would pay for your car to be serviced.

Another thing is if say in casualty or hospital always ask for people's names and write it down it looks like you mean business .:biggrin:

Some excellent advice there with regards to check ups, speaking to practise nurses and finding out GP specialised areas.

The writing names down? They are going to love you lol!

 

[Kristalinx]

What I have learnt from my bad experiences is to demand more.Remember it is a service and yes you can ask to see certain people and you don't have to be intimidated or just accept what one person is saying.

You can also be asked to be treated at any hospital in the country if you so wish.
my sister in law went to The UCL for her cancer treatment rather than our local cancer hospital.

If you have a gut feeling your GP is wrong ask to see another GP most practices have numerous doctors for everyone in the practice.

Find out from the receptionists which gps are the best to see for certain things ie we have a gp at ours who is the one to see for skin and another is great with womens things or its also good to see the practice nurse for that.

Take charge of your own health buy a blood pressure monitor,do home tests or tests at the chemist for cholesterol,diabetes etc regularly get your eyes tested go to your mammograms and your smears.For those with money pay for a private health check like you would pay for your car to be serviced.

Another thing is if say in casualty or hospital always ask for people's names and write it down it looks like you mean business .:biggrin:

Totally agree, in my experience if you ask you get. My first operation I got an excellent surgeon but only because it was an obscure surgery and I was a child. My second I asked for a private hospital rather than my local and got some brilliant specialists and my stay in hospital was much much nicer. They even agreed to put me under general anaesthetic to take my bloods because of my fear of needles.

My boyfriend also had to have surgery and for what should have been a really simple procedure they wanted to do open surgery which would have left him with large scars. After pushing for a second and third opinion he got a specialist who did an amazing job and now he has one staple sized teeny scar.

Don't settle, do research and look to see what the best outcome is for you. I had to travel further to get to my hospital but it was definitely worth it.

 

[tonicj]

Interesting thread.

Some of these doctors and nurses do 12+ hour shifts no wonder they are dead on their feet. I feel for them.

I refuse to take no for an answer and always will have second opinions. I use a mixture of both NHS and private.

Waiting to be seen in NHS A&E I watched a patient walk into the toilet, set himself alight, open the main toilet door and stand there on fire. My husband and I had to put the flames out. He had awful burns to his arms and his glasses were melting to his face.

I've no bad reports of private at all. I have stories to tell of the NHS but don't have the time to write them.

I've argued with my GP several times on reports I'm not happy with but generally get my own way and will be referred. I think they just try and get rid of me quickly. It is true the louder you shout the quicker you are dealt with... and you do have to shout louder than the rest.

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A few years back Doctor's were doing much longer shifts than they are today. Also with regard private insurance, I know there are some people who pay their monthly premium and find that they are having difficulty with the insurance companies paying out!

 

[eternalscot]

A few years back Doctor's were doing much longer shifts than they are today. Also with regard private insurance, I know there are some people who pay their monthly premium and find that they are having difficulty with the insurance companies paying out!

To add our NHS doctors are vastly over paid compared to other European countries, GP with their own practice take a huge chunk as a salary and no they are no worth between £150k plus as it is a totally inefficient service.

 

[tonicj]

Interesting thread.

Some of these doctors and nurses do 12+ hour shifts no wonder they are dead on their feet. I feel for them.

I refuse to take no for an answer and always will have second opinions. I use a mixture of both NHS and private.

Waiting to be seen in NHS A&E I watched a patient walk into the toilet, set himself alight, open the main toilet door and stand there on fire. My husband and I had to put the flames out. He had awful burns to his arms and his glasses were melting to his face.

I've no bad reports of private at all. I have stories to tell of the NHS but don't have the time to write them.

I've argued with my GP several times on reports I'm not happy with but generally get my own way and will be referred. I think they just try and get rid of me quickly. It is true the louder you shout the quicker you are dealt with... and you do have to shout louder than the rest.

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Gosh Virtues, I couldn't imagine you arguing with anyone:wink2:

 

[virtues2011]

Gosh Virtues, I couldn't imagine you arguing with anyone:wink2:

Ha ha... I feel one brewing tonicj... look out. ...lol

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[lucyboo]

Good & bad from the nhs. My mum has had breast cancer & from them finding the lump to removing & having treatment was a few weeks!! But then just before I got married 6 yrs ago she wasn't right & went to her doctors. She kept getting given pill after pill after pill without being refered for any tests & finallu this year she's finally been diagnosed with parkinsons & is vastly improved now on the right medication.
When my daughter was 2 1/2 I gave her peanut butter & she went into anaphylactic shock. She was in hospital for 4 days & had tests to confirm the peanut allergy. Then 2 yrs ago she got swollen lips after playing with a balloon at a soft play, she went to hospital & the doctor thought it was from nut transfer but then a few months later she had a more servere reaction to a balloon. I asked my doctor to refer her for more testing & it took him 18 months to send a referal through!! Ot also took 15 montgs got a referal for my son who's leg started turning in from the hip. He has physio to correct this now. Another time my daughter was ill with asthma. The doctor in a & e said she was fine take her home its just a cold!! My instincs said other wise & I insisted on another doctor seeing her & she had a collapsed lung!

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[shezybabes]

I was misdiagnosed twice and in 2006 was eventually diagnosed with breast cancer aged 29.

I knew there was something wrong but they dismissed me!