Just a few brief words on the NHS

Whitstabletangerine

Whitstabletangerine

Well-known member
Concerns of Covid19 being at the top of most peoples thoughts, just a few words on my experiences with the health service in recent weeks.
I have had four hospital visits along with several covid tests since early October and on every occasion to be first class in every way.
As an example yesterday I had a seven hour stint in the day surgery and from the moment I saw the first nurse along with others, doctors and anaesthetists and from recovery to leaving, the whole experience was first class, I did wonder how they manage to smile and keep going in the way they do working such long hours and the obvious dedication they have for the work that they do.
I spoke over the weekend to one of my old neighbours in the States, he was recovering from Cancer and although having company insurance he was having to pay 25% of his medical costs, I cannot recall how much the operation was but the chemo he was having was $10k a month and therefore costing him $2.5 k and only able to work part time, thus on a reduced salary.
We have something in this country, it is called the NHS, we may kick and scream at times but generally it is a service we just couldn't do without, it has to be protected..
 
It is not and will not be going anywhere. I remember news stories 20 years ago saying the NHS would be gone in months. It's still here and I can walk into any hospital and receive emergency treatment for example.
 
Sadly I disagree. The NHS is not fit for purpose anymore and that is not down to the front line staff as they are generally excellent - it is more about the population!

Having experienced the NHS and health care in other parts of the developed world I can say they NHS are very poor from my experience; the level of care available elsewhere can make the NHS look like the dark ages.

This will not be popular (and the US is a poor comparison for this) but sadly it is very true.

We champion the NHS, but it simply cannot cope with the fat, smoking and drinking population of the UK - which it was never designed for.
 
Whitstabletangerine said:
Concerns of Covid19 being at the top of most peoples thoughts, just a few words on my experiences with the health service in recent weeks.
I have had four hospital visits along with several covid tests since early October and on every occasion to be first class in every way.
As an example yesterday I had a seven hour stint in the day surgery and from the moment I saw the first nurse along with others, doctors and anaesthetists and from recovery to leaving, the whole experience was first class, I did wonder how they manage to smile and keep going in the way they do working such long hours and the obvious dedication they have for the work that they do.
I spoke over the weekend to one of my old neighbours in the States, he was recovering from Cancer and although having company insurance he was having to pay 25% of his medical costs, I cannot recall how much the operation was but the chemo he was having was $10k a month and therefore costing him $2.5 k and only able to work part time, thus on a reduced salary.
We have something in this country, it is called the NHS, we may kick and scream at times but generally it is a service we just couldn't do without, it has to be protected..
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Well said Whits 👏 and glad you’ve had such good experiences recently.
 
Whitstabletangerine said:
Concerns of Covid19 being at the top of most peoples thoughts, just a few words on my experiences with the health service in recent weeks.
I have had four hospital visits along with several covid tests since early October and on every occasion to be first class in every way.
As an example yesterday I had a seven hour stint in the day surgery and from the moment I saw the first nurse along with others, doctors and anaesthetists and from recovery to leaving, the whole experience was first class, I did wonder how they manage to smile and keep going in the way they do working such long hours and the obvious dedication they have for the work that they do.
I spoke over the weekend to one of my old neighbours in the States, he was recovering from Cancer and although having company insurance he was having to pay 25% of his medical costs, I cannot recall how much the operation was but the chemo he was having was $10k a month and therefore costing him $2.5 k and only able to work part time, thus on a reduced salary.
We have something in this country, it is called the NHS, we may kick and scream at times but generally it is a service we just couldn't do without, it has to be protected..
Click to expand...
Hear, hear...and paid for by the British public on the basis of progressive taxation. Apart, of course, from those with the wherewithall and the motivation to avoid paying their fair share.
 
C_C_C_Cider said:
If you have any complaints about using our dark ages NHS then please dont use it. Easy
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I try not too, as I have have top end private cover.

I think you miss my point though - the NHS should be MUCH better and the population should try and help out with the weight, smoking and boozing - and yes I am no angel.

If you think waiting lists of over a year (now) are acceptable and the amount of Cancer operations or treatment being cancelled are ok - then fair play.

I also nearly lost my Dad (god rest him) twice in the Vic and had to get hold of the CEO to make things happen.

The NHS cannot cope - whether Covid or not!!!!
 
seasideone said:
Sadly I disagree. The NHS is not fit for purpose anymore and that is not down to the front line staff as they are generally excellent - it is more about the population!

Having experienced the NHS and health care in other parts of the developed world I can say they NHS are very poor from my experience; the level of care available elsewhere can make the NHS look like the dark ages.

This will not be popular (and the US is a poor comparison for this) but sadly it is very true.

We champion the NHS, but it simply cannot cope with the fat, smoking and drinking population of the UK - which it was never designed for.
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We’ve had this debate before from seasideone slagging the service off he’s clearly anti NHS.
So the fat smoking and drinking population of the U.K. are the real problem then?
So WTF has it got to do with the NHS? You saying these people should not be treated if taken ill and should be just left to die?
Jesus wept the O/P more or less thanks them for pretty much saving his life and someone else shoots them down on the same thread, you couldn’t make it up. 🙄
 
We are so lucky to have a free health service. It's a pity more national services such as transport and water were in the public realm
 
Jaffa_The_Hut said:
We’ve had this debate before from seasideone slagging the NHS off.
So the fat smoking and drinking population of the U.K. are the real problem then?
So WTF has it got to do with the NHS? You saying these people should not be treated if taken ill and should be just left to die?
Jesus wept the O/P more or less thanks them for pretty much saving his life and someone else shoots them down. 🙄
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I think you miss the point here.

Any one can have a good day (apart from Tony Diamond!)

Everyone should be entitled to treatment, but the NHS was not originally designed for a fat, smoking and heavy drinking population - it was also designed for people to have died much earlier than they do now - as medical tech/drugs has increased life span (good thing!)

The front line people are generally brilliant but I maintain the NHS is not fit for purpose, especially when you compare to some places abroad.

Waiting lists of over a year and cancer treatments being postponed are not acceptable to me - are they to you?
 
seasideone said:
Sadly I disagree. The NHS is not fit for purpose anymore and that is not down to the front line staff as they are generally excellent - it is more about the population!

Having experienced the NHS and health care in other parts of the developed world I can say they NHS are very poor from my experience; the level of care available elsewhere can make the NHS look like the dark ages.

This will not be popular (and the US is a poor comparison for this) but sadly it is very true.

We champion the NHS, but it simply cannot cope with the fat, smoking and drinking population of the UK - which it was never designed for.
Click to expand...
You get what you pay for. I'm happy to wait a little longer and not have to fork out thousands. I have always had an excellent service btw.
 
seasideone said:
I try not too, as I have have top end private cover.

I think you miss my point though - the NHS should be MUCH better and the population should try and help out with the weight, smoking and boozing - and yes I am no angel.

If you think waiting lists of over a year (now) are acceptable and the amount of Cancer operations or treatment being cancelled are ok - then fair play.

I also nearly lost my Dad (god rest him) twice in the Vic and had to get hold of the CEO to make things happen.

The NHS cannot cope - whether Covid or not!!!!
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Blimey, 'top end cover' eh? There's a reason clinicians in the private sector are mandated to have personal insurance.

I also don't believe your CEO story.
 
seasideone said:
Just to add the NHS is NOT free - we pay for it from taxes!
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Ok, but I'd sooner my taxes go to towards free health care than paying the Torys mates for overpriced PPE or 12 billion for an out of date spreadsheet and malfunctioning track and trace.
 
seasideone said:
I think you miss the point here.

Any one can have a good day (apart from Tony Diamond!)

Everyone should be entitled to treatment, but the NHS was not originally designed for a fat, smoking and heavy drinking population - it was also designed for people to have died much earlier than they do now - as medical tech/drugs has increased life span (good thing!)

The front line people are generally brilliant but I maintain the NHS is not fit for purpose, especially when you compare to some places abroad.

Waiting lists of over a year and cancer treatments being postponed are not acceptable to me - are they to you?
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Are you not aware the whole world is in a crisis at the moment due to Covid-19 as not once have you mentioned it?
 
I’ve always had an excellent service. Even with the mental health side. Immediate response when in crisis and excellent follow up.
Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I’ve never been hung out to dry when I’ve needed to use the service. I’ve even been hugged in A&E by a nurse when really struggling, a random hug that I will never forget. She wasn’t even my allocated nurse and no words were said. What a truly wonderful lady.
I can’t criticise the service from my own experience.
 
Wizaard said:
You get what you pay for. I'm happy to wait a little longer and not have to fork out thousands. I have always had an excellent service btw.
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Many health services around the world are operating far better than the NHS during covid.

One of my distant relatives is waiting for a so called urgent cancer operation - it has been cancelled three times due to not enough staff - not the Vic.

The Vic LOST my dad (as in didn't know where he was) for 36 hrs

They Vic wanted to cut his leg off until I argued for something else they said would not work - and it did - THREE TIMES!!!!!!!!

My Grandad died on his own in there without them telling us

I also phoned to see how my Dad was one morning and they said he had sadly had a heart attack and died - then realised it was the wrong person they were talking about.

My Dad had bad Alzheimer's and went for the memory test - he asked three times why he was there - AND PASSED!!!!!!

Don't get me going on the availability of scanners etc - how many PET scanners are there in the NW?

I could go on.....

The NHS is poor compared to the better developed systems around the world
 
Shandypants said:
Ok, but I'd sooner my taxes go to towards free health care than paying the Torys mates for overpriced PPE or 12 billion for an out of date spreadsheet and malfunctioning track and trace.
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Wouldn't we all - no excuse for the NHS not being fit for purpose though!
 
Wizaard said:
You get what you pay for. I'm happy to wait a little longer and not have to fork out thousands. I have always had an excellent service btw.
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Sorry this comment is ridiculous.

Happy to wait? - when you have a tumour growing inside you that can spread and make you untreatable at any point - I would like to see you say the same.

That said, I hope it never happens to you 👍 but that is happening to people right now!!!
 
Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Really?
I’am waiting to see the Dentist, I’am waiting to see a specialist granted non are emergency but I can't due to Covid-19 it’s hardly a stupid comment.
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Yes it is - the fact the NHS cannot deal with real urgent stuff makes it not fit for purpose.
 
seasideone said:
Sorry this comment is ridiculous.

Happy to wait? - when you have a tumour growing inside you that can spread and make you untreatable at any point - I would like to see you say the same.

That said, I hope it never happens to you 👍 but that is happening to people right now!!!
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Yes, because Covid, which is an entirely different discussion.
 
I've been waiting for a hip replacement op at spire hospital, it got cancelled last April due to covid, not heard anything yet. If I have to wait to save lives then so be it. Ps going in as NHS patient
 
Lytham_fy8 said:
Yes, because Covid, which is an entirely different discussion.
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It should be able to handle the urgent stuff.

I understand the postponing of a knee op etc, but life saving cancer stuff NO.

If you think that is ok then fair enough - I personally think t makes the NHS not fit for purpose.
 
seasideone said:
Sorry this comment is ridiculous.

Happy to wait? - when you have a tumour growing inside you that can spread and make you untreatable at any point - I would like to see you say the same.

That said, I hope it never happens to you 👍 but that is happening to people right now!!!
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I've a tear on a shoulder ligament. Sore but I can cope. If I had a tumour they'd be doing something about it. To say otherwise is the ridiculous comment.
 
I've a tear on a shoulder ligament. Sore but I can cope. If I had a tumour they'd be doing something about it. To say otherwise is the ridiculous comment.

Reply as AVFTT went weird.....

It’s not ridiculous, sadly, I know three people waiting for cancer treatment including a distant relative as mentioned.

It is not acceptable and makes them not fit for purpose!
 
seasideone said:
I've a tear on a shoulder ligament. Sore but I can cope. If I had a tumour they'd be doing something about it. To say otherwise is the ridiculous comment.

Reply as AVFTT went weird.....

It’s not ridiculous, sadly, I know three people waiting for cancer treatment including a distant relative as mentioned.

It is not acceptable and makes them not fit for purpose!
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I know people with cancer having treatment. You can't judge the whole NHS based on hearsay from Singapore, with all due respect.
 
seasideone said:
Sorry this comment is ridiculous.

Happy to wait? - when you have a tumour growing inside you that can spread and make you untreatable at any point - I would like to see you say the same.

That said, I hope it never happens to you 👍 but that is happening to people right now!!!
Click to expand...
Can’t believe such a Silly comment.
Anything serious you go in and you get seen too without any issues, any delays are in people not reporting such conditions due to being scared to death if they go to hospital that catch Covid.
 
Wizaard said:
I know people with cancer having treatment. You can't judge the whole NHS based on hearsay from Singapore, with all due respect.
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It’s not hearsay sadly!

It’s also fairly obvious from the media that the NHS is not coping with urgent care.
 
Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Can’t believe such a Silly comment.
Anything serious you go in and you get seen too without any issues, any delays are in people not reporting such conditions due to being scared to death if they go to hospital that catch Covid.
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WOW

That’s simply not true - I know multiple people that are not getting what they need that would come under urgent care.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
I don't know anyone requiring 'Urgent Care' who isn't currently being sorted.... And I also know multiple people who are receiving the urgent care they require...

Any other British Residents wish to share their real life experience with our resident Ex-Pat?
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No point. Mind is made up and closed
 
Wizaard said:
No point. Mind is made up and closed
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Mind is not closed - just looking at the facts in front of me!

The reality is due to the lack of funding and pss poor management the NHS has been poor for many years.

Please note I do not include the front line staff in the above comment!
 
seasideone said:
We have many ways of communicating these days...whether you are a few miles away or thousands.

We do get all the news the UK gets - whether good or bad - who knows!
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Nevertheless, you are repeating what you've been told by the media rather than any actual real world experience.

Newsflash: not everything the media says is true.
 
Lost Seasider said:
Nevertheless, you are repeating what you've been told by the media rather than any actual real world experience.

Newsflash: not everything the media says is true.
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Which bit are you not reading or comprehending?

The vast majority - as stated in this thread - is based on real world experience.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
I don't know anyone requiring 'Urgent Care' who isn't currently being sorted.... And I also know multiple people who are receiving the urgent care they require...

Any other British Residents wish to share their real life experience with our resident Ex-Pat?
Click to expand...

At least it's taken his mind off Bury.
 
If people at the Vic communicated better,from dr/surgeon to admin,far more appointments would be made. I think they find it humorous phoning you to say there is a slot in two days time and then you get a letter on the day,saying its cancellled,giving you a date several months in advance. Only for that to be arranged many more times. A and E my lips are sealed for fear of onslaught by my son,my daughter,my wife works there posters.
 
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