FabSwingers.com forum: NHS - is it a postcode lottery where you are?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

There's lots on the news about rationing in the NHS, I know someone with cataracts for whom they keep moving the criteria for the op. She's not on a waiting list as she can't ever get referred. So the real situation must be worse than reported.

A family member has a three month wait to see a consultant for an initial consultation. I do accept that it isn't a medical emergency.

The NHS have been brilliant for our family over the years , but it seems that they will soon be unable to operate if they don't get more budget or sort out where they have wastage of funds - not that I know where that would be.

What's it like where you are?

Sarah

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By *orkie321bWoman
over a year ago

Nottingham

I have a rare condition and waited 10 months to see a specialist in london. Then they kept cancelling my follow up appointments and my medication ran out (not that it was working anyway lol).

I have now been seen by a specialist closer to home and got an appointment within 3 months. Then they phoned me to bring it forward because they had a cancellation so i saw the doctor within 4 weeks.

Although the consultant in London is the foremost expert in the UK i chose to stick with the local hospital now. This doctor may have slightly less expertise but at least i can see him without being messed around. I also don't have the expense of overnight stay and travel.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had to pay for my own depression counselling.

A friend of mine 12 miles away had his fully funded.

Anecdotal evidence would suggest it's a bit of a lottery.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Northern Ireland....

I lost my sight due to diabetic retinopathy ( i have had surgery to regain my sight) i know from becoming friendly with the surgeon that there are literally 10's of thousands of people waiting for eye surgery in Northern Ireland but there are only 2 eye surgeons so its quite easy to work out the statistics and reasons for such long wsiting lists.

I have also been waiting 1 year and 7 months for surgery on my hand, again as a result of having diabetes for 36 years and again here in Northern Ireland there are 10's of thousands of people on the waiting list with only 2 specialist orthapeadic surgeons.

I say get rid of the health service as it is not fit for purpose and is struggling to cope with the ever increasing amount of people on the list. Pay for your own treatment through medical insurance. We insure our cars, houses, phones, pets and mych much more so why not insure ourselves...

Stevie

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By *ficouldMan
over a year ago

a quandary, could you change my mind?

I have to first say...

Thank-you to those staff in the NHS that work so hard, (especially the ones in A+E who made me smile and laugh) I have visited a few times in the last 9 years for a few different reasons.

It seems a lottery where I am as it is a teaching hospital and if the stats are to be believed 'dont have an operation'

I was referred by GP, Main issues seems to be waiting times to see consultants, I had numerous cancelled / moved appointments, plus the take one of these a day see you in 3 months waste of time consultation , then after countless appointments (how much is it per appointment?) over 4 plus years, finally had the OP my GP recommended at the start!

It seems to me (simplified) not just because of my own interaction but others I know also.

The biggest saving that could be made is TIME. That is stop procrastinating make a call, stick with it, help us all.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

West Cumbrians pregnant women could possibly end up having to do a 45 mile journey to the nearest maternity wards and that is a frightening prospect if you want honesty, our government is a fuking joke

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Next year we could be left without an a&e department which again means if anyone needs immediate attention chances are theyre going to die.

This is an outrage dont you think ?

Thats 45 mile journey on rural roads likely take an ambulance 1 hr and 30 minutes

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

All of you in England need to respond to the local consultations on your area's Sustainability and Transformation Plans. These will determine the priorities and budget for health and social care for the next five years for your area.

That's everything the local hospitals will do, the GPs, the pharmacies, social services are care homes.

"Ordinary" people rarely comment so the things that are important to you might get missed.

Do it now as they have to have the plans in by the end of October.

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Also, people who fail to cancel or tun up for their appointments make the system worse for all of us.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My brother lives in Germany where every worker has private health care. He is constantly telling me we would be better off being patients in Germany. I understand. I really do however I dont think the answer is for everyone to go private. I worked in the NHS for ten years. When it works, it is amazing. Sadly these days it needs more money, less beaurocracy and for the general public to accept that it cannot be all things to all men at its current level of funding. We need to educate people so that they make better use of drugs, GPs, A&E departments and play their part in helping it to run efficiently and more importantly to SURVIVE for future generations.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Why is getting a doctors appoitment like trying to shit through wood ?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Why is getting a doctors appoitment like trying to shit through wood ? "

Appointment

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By *aisyDDWoman
over a year ago

North West

"I had to pay for my own depression counselling.

A friend of mine 12 miles away had his fully funded.

Anecdotal evidence would suggest it's a bit of a lottery.

That's the same where I am. Cumbria has little to no mental health care. I'm going to have to pay for my own counselling. It costs 5 times what I earn an hour. I've not slept properly for about 30yrs. They give me sleeping pills but never any help. I had a chat on Facebook with a counsellor one evening and slept like a log. They seem to like the quick approach to stuff.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My brother lives in Germany where every worker has private health care. He is constantly telling me we would be better off being patients in Germany. I understand. I really do however I dont think the answer is for everyone to go private. I worked in the NHS for ten years. When it works, it is amazing. Sadly these days it needs more money, less beaurocracy and for the general public to accept that it cannot be all things to all men at its current level of funding. We need to educate people so that they make better use of drugs, GPs, A&E departments and play their part in helping it to run efficiently and more importantly to SURVIVE for future generations."

Every worker, would that mean mr or mrs depressed are left to die ?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Why is getting a doctors appoitment like trying to shit through wood ?

Appointment "

Im so glad mine has an online booking facility now so some jumped up receptionist doesn't try to play Dr on the phone anymore

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I had to pay for my own depression counselling.

A friend of mine 12 miles away had his fully funded.

Anecdotal evidence would suggest it's a bit of a lottery.

A listening ear can make so much difference

Hear if ever you need one, thats me being nice and no alterior motives of any description

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Why is getting a doctors appoitment like trying to shit through wood ?

Appointment

Im so glad mine has an online booking facility now so some jumped up receptionist doesn't try to play Dr on the phone anymore"

I get them told straight, stick to paper clips sweet heart and get the doctor to give me a call back and of course its an emergency or i wouldnt be taking your stuck up snotty attitude, you chose to spend ya day answering a bloody phone

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Why is getting a doctors appoitment like trying to shit through wood ?

Appointment

Im so glad mine has an online booking facility now so some jumped up receptionist doesn't try to play Dr on the phone anymore

How very considerate of you.

GPs are retiring and not being replaced so it is harder to get appointments when there are fewer people to do them and more people wanting them. Receptionists aren't being jumped up anythings but doing their job.

Complain to the practice manager rather than being rude to a frontline worker.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Why is getting a doctors appoitment like trying to shit through wood ?

Appointment

Im so glad mine has an online booking facility now so some jumped up receptionist doesn't try to play Dr on the phone anymore

How very considerate of you.

Complain to the practice manager rather than being rude to a frontline worker.

I agree and wouldn't be that rude but I don't like to be interrogated about something so personal and having her state "you won't get an appointment unless you tell me what's wrong" All that needs to be asked is do you need to see a Dr today and would you like to divulge what its in relation to.

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Why is getting a doctors appoitment like trying to shit through wood ?

Appointment

Im so glad mine has an online booking facility now so some jumped up receptionist doesn't try to play Dr on the phone anymore

How very considerate of you.

Complain to the practice manager rather than being rude to a frontline worker.

It's not her nosiness but instructions to help prioritize appointments. She is doing what she and many other reception staff have been told to do. You can politely decline to give the information but she still has to ask it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If i needed to tell a receptionist my problem id ring the council

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By *tep121Man
over a year ago

manchester

Closest hospitals to me are poor. Very poor. If u go to them, you'd be almost dead before they do anything. If u want to live, ud be dead by the time u get to a better one.

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By *i-cambsMan
over a year ago

March

My polish assistant and his wife returned home when she was 6 months pregnant as the care is better. She was a NHS nurse. I rest my case

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By *iercedItMan
over a year ago

Mcr

I have both my shoulders in bits, structurally they are toast, only the muscle from training holding it together. 2 yrs for an MRI, 2.5yrs for physio, 3 yrs for a surgical appointment.

Where as another groin injury, saw the consultant Monday, 6 days later ultrasound and lots ball fondling, and 3 weeks later in surgery. So a month from doctor to walking like John Wayne.

I figure they know what can wait, what is urgent, I also expect available money is applied to the urgent/wait equation and alters it somewhat.

If you/I don't like it, sadly private via insurance or payg is the only viable option.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The 'post-code lottery' and 'rationing' are both likely to get worse. Bottom line is the population is getting older and sicker and the system just isn't funded well enough to deal with it. We spend less as a percentage of GDP on health than most advanced countries.

Even the best hospitals in London are having difficulty coping with the pressure on resource (doctors, beds etc).

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By *acko9568Man
over a year ago

saltburn

I think there is a definite postcode lottery, with cataracts being a non urgent problem, mental health being an orphan care and doctors being put under mounting pressure, leading to the general public being forced to attend in ever increasing numbers. The answer, which I know is not popular is to increase funding through the tax system. I am sure that if the public knew that an extra percentage of their wages was going to fund the NHS frontline care services, and NOT the fat cat managers and paper clip shufflers, then the majority would accept that.

What IS obscene is that some staff, with no medical knowledge, are paid shed loads more than consultants

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By *xx1Man
over a year ago

Well.. I've been in the fab-lottery for 99 days and still haven't found the jackpot.

Question is... Do I still keep playing?

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By *enard ArgenteMan
over a year ago

London and France

I am so glad that I live in a country with a functioning health system.

Where I get an appointment with my doctor on the spot; and it's an appointment that lasts half an hour, if need be;

Where I see a specialist or consultant within a week of being referred .

Where , it I need tests; the consultant is present, and discusses the results the same day.

I have freinds who are dioctors and consultants in UK; they are without exception , at their wits end that the NHS system prevents them from giving the treatment that is necessary;

The NHS is, sadly, bankrupt . I cannot see how it can survive in its present format for more than 10 years at the most

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

I can see my GP any day of the week by just turning up and taking a seat.

Whilst I am waiting for an operation on my spine my GP has sorted a lot of things out with me over the phone to save me having to go in. I leave a message with reception and the GP calls back later.

I order my prescriptions online and they are delivered to me.

Lincolnshire has no facility for spinal surgery so I am having to go to Addenbrookes. Took a few weeks to see the surgeon, appt. was this Tuesday gone, and the op will be Dec/Jan.

Grantham A&E closes at night now and there is a huge protest about it.

But all in all I've done ok I think

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By *ango0505Woman
over a year ago

Dumfries

"Why is getting a doctors appoitment like trying to shit through wood ?

Appointment

Im so glad mine has an online booking facility now so some jumped up receptionist doesn't try to play Dr on the phone anymore"

"Jumped up receptionist" are merely doing what the GP's ask them to do and that is a very basic triage of patients conditions so they can be dealt with by the most appropriate person.

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