Wednesday 29 May 2013

You Can Pay? At Your Service, Ma’am. Riding the NHS Merry-Go-Round

For eight years you’ve been suffering the same health problem. Once a year, maybe twice a year. Not always to the same degree of seriousness but frequently serious enough to necessitate hospital admission for a night. Each attack frightened you but you always recovered. You have had many kinds of test, all of them thorough, highly involved and using advanced equipment. All of them expensive, although you were not asked to pay for them.

After eight years you have grown tired of the lack of progress. Nobody ever followed up on the tests, although each time you were put on a waiting list. Lately you were told that the time for ‘Plan B’ has come, but Plan B didn’t materialise. Instead you went on another waiting list.

Once again you found yourself in your GP’s surgery, complaining. “We can do nothing”, the GP said. “Once you’re on the waiting list you have to bide your time”. Ringing the hospital’s booking office didn’t help. “I can confirm that you are on the list, but I don’t know when you will have reached the top (or bottom) of the list. Try the consultant’s secretary.” The consultant’s secretary couldn’t help. “Yes, I can confirm that you are on the list. Ask your GP to write and state that your condition is worsening. That might expedite matters.” The GP said: “They always say that, but they take no notice. They get these letters all the time. I’ll write, but I can’t promise that it’ll help.”

“How much would a private consultation cost?” you asked on Tuesday.

Your appointment to see the consultant for as long as you need is on Thursday; letters have been written and are awaiting delivery; you have been given copies of all the relevant test results, neatly packaged, and waiting lists have shrunk to the point of non-existence.


36 comments:

  1. Its always been the same but be careful what you wish or pay for.
    If your quality of life is acceptable then do nothing.
    If it is unacceptable then think what being in their clutches might mean....

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  2. het zullen altijd moeilijke beslissingen blijven,heel veel sterkte.

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  3. So NHS can be a problem? That is the nightmare story we hear in this country about all the problems we will have with greater socialized medicine. Right now on this rich country we have a plethora of tests that doctors are willing to do for almost everyone. I think the worst part for you is not moving forward or being given a fair prognosis! Here's is hoping that no matter the cost, you are making some progress.

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  4. What? Complaining about the NHS? How can that be? After all, didn't the Olympics devote more time to their praises than they did the Queen? From my vantage point across the pond, it seems to me your system is working pretty well. Your experience in being served immediately if you pay is something that permeates every other facet of life. The VIP ticket if you will. It's a fact we can't seem to get through to the boneheads in Washington over here. The wealthy will always be able to go to whatever medical treatment they wish but that doesn't mean that those who are unable to pay should be left in the cold, unable to fend for themselves. The smart person, like you, will have a little tucked away for the times when you need a VIP ticket but otherwise, rely on the public health system without which, you might well be financially devastated.

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  5. no one will advocate for the patient like the patient or their family...ugh on the feeling of just sitting there and not knowing and having no movement...i am glad you are starting to see it...

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  6. Keep us informed about your progress and trying the new doctor outside the system. We here in the USA are facing Obamacare, which personally, I do not look forward to.

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  7. Now you have my attention. I just paid about $500 for drug prescritions this morning and that was the co-pay along with my insurance and the so-called prescription drug amount the gove supposedly coughs up. The cost for these 9 drugs (I only refilled three of them this AM) has gone up and up and the drugs are the same, same dosage, etc. I hate the pharmacos. At leaast you get free drugs under the NHS....I assume?? Dianne

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  8. I know you're not rich but, if you can afford a private consultation, it's the same as it is here in Canada. Up to the top of the list, see you in a day or two.
    I take several different medications for different health problems, and one of them isn't covered by the provincial health plan. And another has a higher dispensing fee than anything else, because so few people in the area require it, so the pharmacist has to cover the cost of bringing it in.
    All of these things notwithstanding, Friko, I am very glad you are going to consult an expert, someone who might be able to get to the heart of the matter, if you'll pardon the pun. I hope the results satisfactory to you, and your beloved, who is surely worried about you.
    Luv, K

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  9. It seems there are no perfect systems, after all. What good are all the free tests if no one ever looks at them? I'm glad you are going to see a private consultant and I'm praying you get an answer (a good, fixable one!)

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  10. It certainly sounds as though the NHS is a proverbial merry-go-round Friko.
    But I'm so pleased for you that you have made the decision to have a private consultation. This may well be a great investment.

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  11. Even with it's problems, national health care is still a better system than ours - so many of us are uninsured or underinsured, myself included.

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  12. I am old enough for Medicare in the US, and I still pay more than $200/month for the privilege of having it. If the government has its way, it will be gone and I will have nothing. I am glad you are going to see a professional even if you must pay for it yourself. At least you will have some movement and that will be worth quite a lot.

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  13. I was in the same position recently: I railed against it since all these years of paying National Insurance were meant to cover situations like this. But I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies: at least prescriptions are still free for the over-60s. I heard today that Hunt is floating the idea that we should each only be allowed a maximum number of visits annually to our GP: after that we have to pay for each visit. Dickensian times are coming back. I hope you manage to get sorted out!

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  14. It's far too big a gap - the quality of service between NHS and private. Hope they sort things out.

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  15. Whenever I tell anyone that someone has voiced an opinion against the NHS they suspect I am just exaggerating my bias. I am not a fan of my country's plans for health care in the future.

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  16. I do hope that your consultant can give you some answers to the questions you must have after waiting so long. I'm a staunch defender of the NHS, but have to admit that sometimes it really lets people down.

    My wait for cataract surgery is proving longer than I was first told, but that is just mildly irritating, not life-threatening or life-diminishing and I'm happy to go on waiting. Your case is very different.

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  17. Friko, I've read your post and am replying on Wednesday evening from over here in New York. So... you might or might not see this before your Thursday appointment.

    Whichever might be the case, I wish you well with the specialist doctor. May that doctor have lots of expertise, and the time to listen to you eloquent, expert, knowing verbal skills. Would it not be rather extraordinary if this doctor actually helped? My fingers are firmly crossed.

    Your continuing hospital visits, and waiting listings do present a particular set of facts to us across the pond. So many folks over here really have no medical care whatsoever available other than sudden visits to emergency rooms. A very expensive form of medical "after" care.

    Gosh...here's another topic we are going to perhaps chat about when we do eventually meet.

    Meanwhile...lots of love to you. xo

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  18. Fortunate that you can afford a private consultation. Hopefully you will find out what you need.

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  19. I just want the Americans to know that not every health care plan is as sluggish as the NHS. We in the Netherlands are fine with ours. You should not be afraid of Obama care.

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  20. I have heard so many things about NHS that are positive, at least in Frand and Holland/Netherlands; Canada, too. I'm sorry you're having that problem -- and I'm grateful you have the resource to have the private consultations. My hope is that you will find precisely what you mean and not any more waiting or ambiguous answers. You deserve to know about your body now -- not at the top of a list!

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  21. The NHS has been good to my family....but if one had to pay for health insurance there would not be the money to be set aside for when the fast track is necessary.

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  22. It's time, Friko. The NHS, like our provincial healthcare system, is good for the every day and the once-in-a-lifetime emergency, but for chronic and worsening conditions it can move at a glacial pace. I'm glad to learn that you will finally get some action!

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  23. I have heard both good and bad things about GB National Health plan. You don't have to worry about being able to pay for care but you have to wait. Here in the US, you do have to worry about how you will pay for services and even if you have the money, you still might have to wait a few months to see a specialist. Medical treatment and its cost is such a big problem here and everywhere and it seems to be getting worse.

    I hope you get a good doctor who will be able to help you.

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  24. I hope today's visit to the specialist makes you feel as though some progress is being made . At the very least , you'll feel that you're not just a number on a list that stetches to infinity .
    The Dutch system , though not cheap , is very good ... but , here too , having a stiff upper lip can be a drawback . In a busy department those patients who seem to be coping are left till last .

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  25. Health care seems to be a problem all over the world. So why is it that there's money for fancy buildings and sports arenas, an ever-increasing bureaucracy, thinly disguised political advertising and quick-fixes near election time, but not for health?? Weird, huh?!

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  26. Hi Friko - money says it all doesn't it .. so often we forget money opens doors.

    Having said that - I sincerely hope the consultant offers some help and a sensible idea can be found to ease this worry for you both ...

    Good luck for next Thursday .. I presume it's next week ... but perhaps today ..

    With thoughts ... Hilary

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  27. Sorry to hear about the farce, dear Friko. Being an Indian, I really don't have much to say - with nothing called 'health insurance', it all boils down to posh private hospitals or a doctor's personal clinic.

    Hope you get a good doctor without any more running about. Take care.

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  28. The NHS at least enables you to have basic treatment...and allows you to put rainy day money aside for private appointments if you want them.
    As another person commenting remarks, the stiff upper lip can lead to you being overlooked while the moaners and complainers get to the head of the queue.
    I hope you get some satisfactory answers.

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  29. We have medicare, medicare supplement, and Rx medicare... and it works well for us. Yes, we still have to pay, but it's a small amount compared to what some tests and treatments cost. And I don't know enough about socialized medicine to comment, but the idea of everyone having basic healthcare sounds good to me. That way, once everyone is covered, the ones who have the means (or the desire) can 'go the extra mile' and 'pay' for private care when needed.

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  30. I hope you get a consult soon and some answers. Seems like getting good health care is a trial everywhere these days. :(

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  31. Hope you soon get answers
    with the immune disorder I have
    and is affecting the quality of my life
    they do nothing but bloodwork
    unless something major happens
    So far nothing major
    just fatigue, not much appetite and
    a lot of sleepless and aching nights.
    I choose not to take anything for these.
    Just trying to do less, rest more some exercise and
    eat as healthy as I know.
    So fortunate do not have issues many have
    in their 70's.

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  32. I can't comment on that. We must have a completely other health system, I have never waited for a doctor in my whole life in Belgium since I am 14 ! Only when you have a yearly routine check up you may wait maybe 3 weeks at the most. And if one doctor has no time you just go to another, same with hospitals. It's your choice and it doesn't cost anything more. The only thing is you have to pay first and get your money back a few days later. That's to avoid that people run to the doctors for nothing !
    I am back from my tour around the UK and it was one of the best tours I have ever done in my life ! Well organized and we had such a beautiful weather up north. Even Nessie could take a sunbath.

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  33. Of course no system is perfect. I'd still far rather the Canadian healthcare system than never know if I am going to be able to afford treatment, or a life after said treatment.

    I hope all goes well for you. Please keep us posted.

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  34. I am wishing you well Friko - from my heart to your heart!

    (Oh yes, and no seeds - I would have told you of course. Anyway thank you so much for your effort!)

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  35. I wish I could fly you over here to my doctor for a procedure. I really do. We complain about our system, but I am thankful that anytime I call, I am in to see the cardiologist in a flash if they think something serious is going on. My episodes have not reached anywhere near where yours seem to be. I am wishing you well. I am hoping that this specialist will put you at the top of the list and that you don't have suffer from the frustration of having no action taken any longer. Maybe all of us should write a letter. Let's get blogland on this thing!

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  36. I'm reading backwards here but am glad you moved forward.

    =)

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