Forums > Social Chat > N.H.S. Rant...all join in if you want
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Posted:
So the NHS (UK National Health Service for those who don't know) are pissing me off seriously.
Rant:
Bad enough i'm having to wait 22 weeks for an MRI and 16 weeks for Physio.
But i went to my Dr's today because my knee has turned really bad suddenly (i mean aching all night, crying myself to sleep bad). Anyway my dr said that there is nothing serious wrong and emplyed that it was all in my mind because he can't see anything wrong, and the specialist can't yet. I mean fair enough if you cant see anything wrong but grr...i know this pain is real and not in my mind, i know my muscle keeps spasming and i know that my knee feel wierd (like it's out of place or twisted) when i walk.
...End rant.
Anyone else have any NHS stories they would like to share?
So the NHS (UK National Health Service for those who don't know) are pissing me off seriously.
Rant:
Bad enough i'm having to wait 22 weeks for an MRI and 16 weeks for Physio.
But i went to my Dr's today because my knee has turned really bad suddenly (i mean aching all night, crying myself to sleep bad). Anyway my dr said that there is nothing serious wrong and emplyed that it was all in my mind because he can't see anything wrong, and the specialist can't yet. I mean fair enough if you cant see anything wrong but grr...i know this pain is real and not in my mind, i know my muscle keeps spasming and i know that my knee feel wierd (like it's out of place or twisted) when i walk.
...End rant.
Anyone else have any NHS stories they would like to share?
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
You know, as much as I hate the US insurance and healthcare system, at least we can do our work quickly. We're mired in paperwork, lawsuits, and protocols that remove all thinking from the medical process.
Having said that, you can get an MRI here within a month if you need one, and CT scans can be done sometimes the same day, and never more than a week of waiting. We use the newest, best, and safest drugs, and our technology is stunning.
But our preventative care sucks.
It is interesting to hear about Britain's NHS because I'm interested in hearing about the shortcomings of various socialized medical systems. I hear Germany's is pretty nice.
You know, as much as I hate the US insurance and healthcare system, at least we can do our work quickly. We're mired in paperwork, lawsuits, and protocols that remove all thinking from the medical process.
Having said that, you can get an MRI here within a month if you need one, and CT scans can be done sometimes the same day, and never more than a week of waiting. We use the newest, best, and safest drugs, and our technology is stunning.
But our preventative care sucks.
It is interesting to hear about Britain's NHS because I'm interested in hearing about the shortcomings of various socialized medical systems. I hear Germany's is pretty nice.
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
GOLD Member
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posted:
awhile back i my breathing felt really constricted for no good reason, im not asmatic and i had xrays n all that jazz done to see see if there was a blockage or anything and they turned up blank so the next step was to go see the specialist and my dr at the time said it was urgent ie i wasnt about to croak so id have to jump on the end of the cue (being 2 months) to see the specialist. needless to say i was not impressed as it was really uncomportable to say the least. anyway i went to my chiro to get my back fixed and it turned out that my back muscles where really tight which was constricting my airway. whats the moral of this story? a good massage cures all
id go see a chiro/naturopath if i was u, the location of the pain isnt always the source n all that
awhile back i my breathing felt really constricted for no good reason, im not asmatic and i had xrays n all that jazz done to see see if there was a blockage or anything and they turned up blank so the next step was to go see the specialist and my dr at the time said it was urgent ie i wasnt about to croak so id have to jump on the end of the cue (being 2 months) to see the specialist. needless to say i was not impressed as it was really uncomportable to say the least. anyway i went to my chiro to get my back fixed and it turned out that my back muscles where really tight which was constricting my airway. whats the moral of this story? a good massage cures all
id go see a chiro/naturopath if i was u, the location of the pain isnt always the source n all that
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourself, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous and talented? Who are you NOT to be?
Pooh-Bah
2,419 posts
Location: la-la land
2,419 posts
Location: la-la land
Posted:
Pink hun
.. go and see a chiropracter (or similar) might cost you a tad.. but it's worth it.. Help my back no end
My NHS rant.. I make noises and stop breathing in my sleep.. I've been waiting 2 months to see a respirologist (sp) as when I had my sleep study they found my blood oxygen level dropped to 88% (Lightening long time sir.. pls help - the nurse implied it was quite serious..?)
still at least they are sorting stuff out slowly.. I'm due for surgery on my nose and thoat as soon as I get my appointment (not holding my breath tee hee hee)
so I'll guess I'll wait.. and wait.. and wait.
Pink hun
.. go and see a chiropracter (or similar) might cost you a tad.. but it's worth it.. Help my back no end My NHS rant.. I make noises and stop breathing in my sleep.. I've been waiting 2 months to see a respirologist (sp) as when I had my sleep study they found my blood oxygen level dropped to 88% (Lightening
long time sir.. pls help - the nurse implied it was quite serious..?)still at least they are sorting stuff out slowly.. I'm due for surgery on my nose and thoat as soon as I get my appointment (not holding my breath tee hee hee)
so I'll guess I'll wait.. and wait.. and wait.
I honour you as an aspect of myself..
You are never to old to storm a bouncey castle..
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom
Posted:
My dad got diagnosed with non-hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic fluid)4 years ago in 2000. Before the diagnosis he had 3 lumps around his chest that you could visibly see, he went to the docter, he said go to the hospital. By the time he had an apiontment he had 7 lumps....the hospital spent 15mins with him and said it was fluid build up or something from his muscles, gave him some cream and said toodles, not even as much as a blood test was done..
By lump number 11
he went back into hospital, they did a blood test and a bipsy , and that was it...cancer. And to add insult to ingury, when they did the biopsy they told him that they could do it under local as this one was 'just under the skin'
They were wrong, and it went much deeper than they had thought, and they had to cut about 5 inches deep. and this was only under local. But he had chemo, his lumps went and hes all better now...wiht SOME thanks going towards the NHS
My dad got diagnosed with non-hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic fluid)4 years ago in 2000. Before the diagnosis he had 3 lumps around his chest that you could visibly see, he went to the docter, he said go to the hospital. By the time he had an apiontment he had 7 lumps....the hospital spent 15mins with him and said it was fluid build up or something from his muscles, gave him some cream and said toodles, not even as much as a blood test was done..
By lump number 11
he went back into hospital, they did a blood test and a bipsy , and that was it...cancer. And to add insult to ingury, when they did the biopsy they told him that they could do it under local as this one was 'just under the skin'They were wrong, and it went much deeper than they had thought, and they had to cut about 5 inches deep. and this was only under local. But he had chemo, his lumps went and hes all better now...wiht SOME thanks going towards the NHS
member
59 posts
Location: England
59 posts
Location: England
Posted:
Rant:
Well, my Dad started to have really bad vision in his right eye so he went to the hospital and they found a lump on the back of his eye. This was about 2 months ago. Nothing has been done yet!!!!
End Rant
....aaaahhhh.... i feel all better now!
Rant:
Well, my Dad started to have really bad vision in his right eye so he went to the hospital and they found a lump on the back of his eye. This was about 2 months ago. Nothing has been done yet!!!!
End Rant
....aaaahhhh.... i feel all better now!
Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK
Posted:
Pink - try accupuncture maybe. I can recomend a good clinic that does a lot of different stuff, but it's up Kingston way: Brabant House.
I went private to have my wisdom teeth out as otherwise I'd have to wait longer and it'd interfere with my travelling plans. But then I remember a few other NHS stories....
When my little brother was 8 he put the tip of a pencil through his eye. A team of NHS surgeons and nurses performed hours of long, tiring and delicate operations in order to save as much sight as possible. For the fortnight he was in hospital, and the countless weeks more he'd spend in hospital over the following decade, the doctors, nurses, opticians and support staff made him and his family welcome and helped us through some hard times.
Then there was the time I worked at Royal Marsden Hospital where I worked next door to the children's ward. For those that don't know it's a cancer specialist hospital. Everyday I would see poorly paid and over worked doctors and nurses interacting with these children, some of whom were walking skeletons when they should have been in playgrounds with thier friends. These children would be smiling and talking with the staff who spent time making friends with their young patients. Whenever I think my life is tough I remember a 12 year old girl pushing her chemo drip along the corridor on the way to the shop.
And then there was the time I worked at St Thomas' in the cardiology research unit, where men with scars the length of their torsos would smile and thank my boss for giving them more years to spend with their families.
So I just wanted to point out that whilst no system is perfect, we could have it a lot, lot worse.
Pink - try accupuncture maybe. I can recomend a good clinic that does a lot of different stuff, but it's up Kingston way: Brabant House.
I went private to have my wisdom teeth out as otherwise I'd have to wait longer and it'd interfere with my travelling plans. But then I remember a few other NHS stories....
When my little brother was 8 he put the tip of a pencil through his eye. A team of NHS surgeons and nurses performed hours of long, tiring and delicate operations in order to save as much sight as possible. For the fortnight he was in hospital, and the countless weeks more he'd spend in hospital over the following decade, the doctors, nurses, opticians and support staff made him and his family welcome and helped us through some hard times.
Then there was the time I worked at Royal Marsden Hospital where I worked next door to the children's ward. For those that don't know it's a cancer specialist hospital. Everyday I would see poorly paid and over worked doctors and nurses interacting with these children, some of whom were walking skeletons when they should have been in playgrounds with thier friends. These children would be smiling and talking with the staff who spent time making friends with their young patients. Whenever I think my life is tough I remember a 12 year old girl pushing her chemo drip along the corridor on the way to the shop.
And then there was the time I worked at St Thomas' in the cardiology research unit, where men with scars the length of their torsos would smile and thank my boss for giving them more years to spend with their families.
So I just wanted to point out that whilst no system is perfect, we could have it a lot, lot worse.
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
Posted:
Just to be awkward...
The NHS is a remarkably good thing. People bitch and moan about it all the time, but given the choice of waiting or paying to go private, they take door Number 1 and carry on moaning.
Any system that will take a car crash victim (my flatmate) through 2 weeks of intensive care, three bouts of surgery, two months of physiotherapy and a year of after care support without once saying "cash or credit?" to her has my vote.
The same woman recently had MRI done privately for a congenital back condition. It cost £2000 for an hour long session.
'nuff said.
Just to be awkward...
The NHS is a remarkably good thing. People bitch and moan about it all the time, but given the choice of waiting or paying to go private, they take door Number 1 and carry on moaning.
Any system that will take a car crash victim (my flatmate) through 2 weeks of intensive care, three bouts of surgery, two months of physiotherapy and a year of after care support without once saying "cash or credit?" to her has my vote.
The same woman recently had MRI done privately for a congenital back condition. It cost £2000 for an hour long session.
'nuff said.
There is a slight possibility that I am not actually right all of the time.
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
I'd also like to raise support for NHS - It is a free (ok, we pay tax....) service, and there are alot more people in need of help than there are doctors able to help them.
You gets what you pays for, don't look a gift horse etc etc.
Sympathy to all who have had bad experiences with the NHS but I'm sure they're doing the best they can
I'd also like to raise support for NHS - It is a free (ok, we pay tax....) service, and there are alot more people in need of help than there are doctors able to help them.
You gets what you pays for, don't look a gift horse etc etc.
Sympathy to all who have had bad experiences with the NHS but I'm sure they're doing the best they can
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
GOLD Member
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
Posted:
Yeah but we do pay, we pay through the nose in comparrision to some private services because if we don't use it it still costs us the same. But unfortunately it is terribly run by ineffective managers/politicians who are really in the wrong job. There's also a lot of ego running the system and this helps make it worse. My Mom is a social worker for the elderly and daily battles with overinflated, over paid, over ego doctors/consultants/surgens are the norm. I feel sorry for the poor folks like you who can't get seen as quickly as you should and the good Doctors/Nurses who spend so many hours battling away but just getting their efforts effectivaly stamped on by the inefficencies of the system.
More short comings are people qualify for different care/treatment in different areas. Some folks are even known to move a few miles away into a different area so they qualify for the treatment they couldn't get in their home area. But this is being slowly remedied and I think the situation is improving on the whole in the NHS. Slow improvement is always better than none.
And as for the German system....they're so damn efficient everything seems to work well there!! Lucky buggers!!
Yeah but we do pay, we pay through the nose in comparrision to some private services because if we don't use it it still costs us the same. But unfortunately it is terribly run by ineffective managers/politicians who are really in the wrong job. There's also a lot of ego running the system and this helps make it worse. My Mom is a social worker for the elderly and daily battles with overinflated, over paid, over ego doctors/consultants/surgens are the norm. I feel sorry for the poor folks like you who can't get seen as quickly as you should and the good Doctors/Nurses who spend so many hours battling away but just getting their efforts effectivaly stamped on by the inefficencies of the system.
Quote:
It is interesting to hear about Britain's NHS because I'm interested in hearing about the shortcomings of various socialized medical systems. I hear Germany's is pretty nice.
More short comings are people qualify for different care/treatment in different areas. Some folks are even known to move a few miles away into a different area so they qualify for the treatment they couldn't get in their home area. But this is being slowly remedied and I think the situation is improving on the whole in the NHS. Slow improvement is always better than none.
And as for the German system....they're so damn efficient everything seems to work well there!! Lucky buggers!!
Let's relight this forum 
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
I had my first experience with Germany's health care system a couple days ago. Besides the extended wait to see the doctor (a couple hours past the appointment time), it was quite painless and easy and the doctor seemed quite knowledgeable. Mind you I have no idea what wait times for an MRI would be.
Sorry to hear your knee is hurting you so much Alice darling. I hope it gets better soon!
Quote:
It is interesting to hear about Britain's NHS because I'm interested in hearing about the shortcomings of various socialized medical systems. I hear Germany's is pretty nice.
I had my first experience with Germany's health care system a couple days ago. Besides the extended wait to see the doctor (a couple hours past the appointment time), it was quite painless and easy and the doctor seemed quite knowledgeable. Mind you I have no idea what wait times for an MRI would be.
Sorry to hear your knee is hurting you so much Alice darling. I hope it gets better soon!
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
member
5 posts
Location: London
5 posts
Location: London
Posted:
I had a really good time with them, that said the waiting lists suck. And there aren't enough beds, and we're a top heavy population because of the baby boom, so soon hospitals will be chocka.
I had a really good time with them, that said the waiting lists suck. And there aren't enough beds, and we're a top heavy population because of the baby boom, so soon hospitals will be chocka.
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
update on the German wait time for an MRI - my girlfriend's mother was recently diagnosed with cancer of the left kidney - she got an MRI appointment in 3 days.
update on the German wait time for an MRI - my girlfriend's mother was recently diagnosed with cancer of the left kidney - she got an MRI appointment in 3 days.
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Posted:
3 days
Thats not even funny.
3 days
Thats not even funny.
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
That's about what we'd do here in the U.S.
Quote:
update on the German wait time for an MRI - my girlfriend's mother was recently diagnosed with cancer of the left kidney - she got an MRI appointment in 3 days.
That's about what we'd do here in the U.S.
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
SILVER Member
member
88 posts
Location: Nottingham (UK)
member
88 posts
Location: Nottingham (UK)
Posted:
Okay, I feel that I probably should stick up for the NHS a bit here. I admit it is a system pushed and has it problems; but it is stuck between political targets, patient expectations and a finite budget. It is still underfunded and understaffed; but the vast majority of people who work in it are really devoted people (considering the other jobs you could do for the same money and less stress) with some highly talented individuals. It accepts everyone and treatment is free; hence the long waiting lists.
Unfortunately MRI is one of those much wanted tests and a very expensive piece of kit; the demand on which is high. I blame all you Sunday afternoon footballers
Warrented I can't excuse the mistakes. It's not yet the perfect system, but it's a system that bloody well deserves to work!
Okay, I feel that I probably should stick up for the NHS a bit here. I admit it is a system pushed and has it problems; but it is stuck between political targets, patient expectations and a finite budget. It is still underfunded and understaffed; but the vast majority of people who work in it are really devoted people (considering the other jobs you could do for the same money and less stress) with some highly talented individuals. It accepts everyone and treatment is free; hence the long waiting lists.
Unfortunately MRI is one of those much wanted tests and a very expensive piece of kit; the demand on which is high. I blame all you Sunday afternoon footballers
Warrented I can't excuse the mistakes. It's not yet the perfect system, but it's a system that bloody well deserves to work!
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old hand
1,024 posts
Location: london
1,024 posts
Location: london
Posted:
sticks- your resting sats should not drop under 98 if you went to 80 in my hospital id be getting help fast ...... as for the NHS is far from perfect but its a free health service one not many countrys have, you can always opt out of N.I. and go private but thats real costly i could not afford it. i hope you feel better soon alice if it does get bad GO toA&E you should get seen it may take some time though
if cancer is involved they are normally fast (i know they are with kids but not to sure with adults) with MRI
sticks- your resting sats should not drop under 98 if you went to 80 in my hospital id be getting help fast ...... as for the NHS is far from perfect but its a free health service one not many countrys have, you can always opt out of N.I. and go private but thats real costly i could not afford it. i hope you feel better soon alice if it does get bad GO toA&E you should get seen it may take some time though
if cancer is involved they are normally fast (i know they are with kids but not to sure with adults) with MRI
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