Hospital appointments.

[tea4too]

I had a conversation recently with someone who lives less than 10 miles from us. His experience and subsequent opinion of the NHS was pretty poor and I had a lot of sympathy for how he feels, but my own experience, both recent and in the past has been totally different. I have never struggled to get a GP appointment, blood tests have been organised within 24 hours and a recent x-ray within a couple of days. I don’t doubt some people have genuine cause to complain, but equally some of us have every reason to think the NHS is pretty brilliant. Tx

Edited May 4, 2016 by tea4too

[caramac]

Our surgery is open every evening until 8, but it is fully staffed. We're lucky. Unfortunately, as more GPs retire or leave and aren't replaced the situation will get worse for everyone. There are so many unfilled vacancies and no one wants to take them, sadly. We have friends who are GPs and they have had unfilled vacancies for up to two years now. They can use locums, but that's so expensive and not good for continuity of care.

 

Whilst it may look as though funding is increasing, as a proportion of GDP it's actually falling. Take that, plus the cuts to social care (charities, elderly residential and nursing care etc) and the cuts are real.

Mental health services, in particular for children, are in a parlous state. It can take two years for an ill child to be even offered an assessment and the toll on the child and their family can be enormous. Not only that, but the risks of more serious mental health problems and relapse is far greater than if they have early intervention. That's poor on a personal level, but the economic impact can be huge too - long term mental health input, hospitalisation, inability to work or study. The charities which used to support these families have also had their funding cut, so they're don't have the resources to help anymore either. The child or young person often has to reach crisis point (and A&E) before they're offered anything.

[bell123321]

I wish I was that lucky! We do not have any walk in centres and only have gp or a&e. When I had a stomach ulcer was told I had to wait 3 weeks for an appointment. I ended up going to a&e I was in that much pain. Called last week for a non emergency appointment again 3 weeks. My father who is in a completely different location always has to wait 2-3 weeks. On his most recent appointment the evening before his appointment he got a call telling him they had to cancel his appointment could he re-arrange for 2 weeks later. He ended up telling them not to bother and he will put up with the constant pain as he has such difficulty getting appointments.

 

The he only positive experience lately I have had is I only had to wait 5 months for my knee op recently which I thought was impressive for the nhs. However after the op they couldn't tell me if it was a success or not as consultant went home at 4pm and I would have to wait 8 weeks later on my follow up appointment lol.

 

I am glad you have had such a good experience but myself, family and friends do not. (Wish we did)

[tea4too]

As I said @bell123321 I know people have genuine issues. My old neighbour, who moved no more than 10 miles away has struggled too. Maybe we are just lucky but I have genuinely never felt fobbed off, and the couple of times an appointment wasn’t available straight away the doctor called me back after surgery was finished to talk over my worries. The NHS has problems and I am not trying to defend things that don’t work or have gone wrong, just giving credit where it’s due.

[bristolman]

As I said @bell123321 I know people have genuine issues. My old neighbour, who moved no more than 10 miles away has struggled too. Maybe we are just lucky but I have genuinely never felt fobbed off, and the couple of times an appointment wasn’t available straight away the doctor called me back after surgery was finished to talk over my worries. The NHS has problems and I am not trying to defend things that don’t work or have gone wrong, just giving credit where it’s due.

 

No it isn't that you are just lucky, unless the rest of us are lucky as well. I do feel for those people who have had bad experiences but like you I just like to give credit where it is due and for us at least we have no complaints at all.

[beach pig]

I wish I was that lucky! We do not have any walk in centres and only have gp or a&e. When I had a stomach ulcer was told I had to wait 3 weeks for an appointment. I ended up going to a&e I was in that much pain. Called last week for a non emergency appointment again 3 weeks. My father who is in a completely different location always has to wait 2-3 weeks. On his most recent appointment the evening before his appointment he got a call telling him they had to cancel his appointment could he re-arrange for 2 weeks later. He ended up telling them not to bother and he will put up with the constant pain as he has such difficulty getting appointments.

 

The he only positive experience lately I have had is I only had to wait 5 months for my knee op recently which I thought was impressive for the nhs. However after the op they couldn't tell me if it was a success or not as consultant went home at 4pm and I would have to wait 8 weeks later on my follow up appointment lol.

 

I am glad you have had such a good experience but myself, family and friends do not. (Wish we did)

 

If you still have your leg, it's a success :laugh:

[bell123321]

If you still have your leg, it's a success :laugh:

 

 

:laugh: Haha thats true, I do for the time being unless they decide it needs chopping off when I see the Consultant next week lol

 

I also agree credit where credit is due and I am glad people have had good experiences.

[Fisher1]

No it isn't that you are just lucky, unless the rest of us are lucky as well. I do feel for those people who have had bad experiences but like you I just like to give credit where it is due and for us at least we have no complaints at all.

 

The rest of you are lucky as well! It really seems to be a lottery just now, and my complaint is not with the NHS as such. I am so grateful to the NHS for saving my husbands life back in 1981 and for not making us bankrupt in the process, which would probably have been the case had we lived in the U.S. Once you get into the system you are unlucky if you don't get excellent care. It's getting into the system that is worryingly slow and patchy, from obtaining an ambulance in a crisis to finding a GP when you need one to getting diagnostic tests when you need to. The NHS is creaking and somebody needs to do something about it before it's too late.

[bristolman]

The rest of you are lucky as well! It really seems to be a lottery just now, and my complaint is not with the NHS as such. I am so grateful to the NHS for saving my husbands life back in 1981 and for not making us bankrupt in the process, which would probably have been the case had we lived in the U.S. Once you get into the system you are unlucky if you don't get excellent care. It's getting into the system that is worryingly slow and patchy, from obtaining an ambulance in a crisis to finding a GP when you need one to getting diagnostic tests when you need to. The NHS is creaking and somebody needs to do something about it before it's too late.

 

Yes unfortunately for some these things are a worry. We have had no issues at all getting into the system and we have had less issues overall compared to our experiences in Australia for instance. I do agree though it's 1000 times better than what many in America have to endure.

[Bungo]

No it isn't that you are just lucky, unless the rest of us are lucky as well. I do feel for those people who have had bad experiences but like you I just like to give credit where it is due and for us at least we have no complaints at all.

 

Who are "the rest of us"? Just because you have been lucky it doesn't mean the "rest of us" are. I have honestly never met anyone in real life that has such an easy time getting appointments as you appear to have. Most people I have met in real life have exactly the same problems with getting appointments as I have had for the entire 39 years I have lived in the UK - and no none of them would be using the same doctors as me. I think the NHS needs a total rethink.

[Fisher1]

Who are "the rest of us"? Just because you have been lucky it doesn't mean the "rest of us" are. I have honestly never met anyone in real life that has such an easy time getting appointments as you appear to have. Most people I have met in real life have exactly the same problems with getting appointments as I have had for the entire 39 years I have lived in the UK - and no none of them would be using the same doctors as me. I think the NHS needs a total rethink.

 

 

I think think the point at issue here is that there shouldn't be a 'rest of us'. We are supposedly all in this together and the same care should be available to the same standards nationwide. It isn't.

[caramac]

Part of the problem comes from the constant 'rethinking'. Nothing ever has time to bed in and work before the next government comes in wanting to make its mark. So much money is wasted on rebranding and change from politicians who have little or no experience of working in the field. Then, when it doesn't work, or isn't given time to adjust, off they go again.

Rethinking is a constant state.

[Harpodom]

There are so many factors to consider when deciding on a move back to the UK, I don't think the issue of medical care should even be on the list. If you have a chronic illness, you'll get adequate care in both countries. If you're seriously ill, you'll get adequate care in both countries. If you want more than that, there's always the option of private health insurance in both countries.

 

Having said that, access to a doctor certainly does depend on your location. I have yet to see a doctor in Southampton after a year! I am asthmatic and need monthly prescriptions. I registered with a doctor (the only one taking on new patients in my area) and asked to make an appointment to set up my prescriptions. Instead, I got a brief phone call with a doctor who, sight unseen, wrote the prescriptions I asked for.

 

About six months ago I had an attack of cystitis. I was in pain and needed an urgent appointment. Again, I was given a phone "appointment" instead of a face-to-face consultation, was given a prescription and that was that.

 

A few weeks ago, I felt the dosage of my asthma medication wasn't quite right and rang up to get an appointment. On explaining my issue, I was referred to a nurse instead - she asked me a few questions and agreed that it should be changed. Two days later the new prescription was ready to pick up.

 

Bottom line - it is working, but it does seem a little weird that this doctor's practice is merrily prescribing things to me even though none of their doctors has never met me or taken any kind of medical history. That wouldn't happen in Oz.

that sounds a bit dodgy, the GP prescribing drugs to a patient they've never even met....its not the Himalayas FFS, it's not too much to expect the doctor to see you IMO, especially for a first time appointment

[Peach]

A friends FB status from 24 hours ago "Getting an appt with the doctor or nurse is getting to be a joke at our local surgery now". She lives in Royal Wootton Bassett.

[bristolman]

that sounds a bit dodgy, the GP prescribing drugs to a patient they've never even met....its not the Himalayas FFS, it's not too much to expect the doctor to see you IMO, especially for a first time appointment

 

I can't say I have ever heard of a doctor prescribing drugs unseen, it certainly wouldn't happen here I don't think.

[bristolman]

Who are "the rest of us"? Just because you have been lucky it doesn't mean the "rest of us" are. I have honestly never met anyone in real life that has such an easy time getting appointments as you appear to have. Most people I have met in real life have exactly the same problems with getting appointments as I have had for the entire 39 years I have lived in the UK - and no none of them would be using the same doctors as me. I think the NHS needs a total rethink.

 

I'm not going to apologise because I don't experience the same issues as some others. Even when we lived in Bath years ago we never had problems getting to see our doctor.

[bristolman]

Anyway the point of this thread was to let people know that despite the scare stories about the NHS, Doctors, dentists and whatever things are nowhere near as bad as some would like you to believe. Of course the system is overworked, that is the same everywhere but funding is increasing and satisfaction with the NHS is high and dissatisfaction is very low. So please anyone thinking of returning don't worry, you will be able to see a GP or dentist or specialist. Oh and of course things vary from area to area.

[Harpodom]

There is the small matter of a recent general strike of hospital doctors, which would suggest not everything is rosy with the NHS

[bristolman]

There is the small matter of a recent general strike of hospital doctors, which would suggest not everything is rosy with the NHS

 

Who said everything is rosy with the NHS ?

[Harpodom]

Who said everything is rosy with the NHS ?

 

Well you're implying that it's business as usual, which it clearly isn't. Morale among junior doctors has never been worse, prompting many to pack their bags for Aus

[bristolman]

Well you're implying that it's business as usual, which it clearly isn't. Morale among junior doctors has never been worse, prompting many to pack their bags for Aus

 

No, not at all. I have said not to believe the scaremongering. Doctors and nurses have always gone in both directions, loads of Aussies here.

[Peach]

No, not at all. I have said not to believe the scaremongering.

 

Yes, don't believe the scaremongering, provided you're going to live in Bristolmantopia. Everyone else may experience the issues others have spoken of.

[bristolman]

Yes, don't believe the scaremongering, provided you're going to live in Bristolmantopia. Everyone else may experience the issues others have spoken of.

 

It's a shame you always have to get personal, it's possible you may have valid opinions but we will never know. Of course some may experience issues just as we did in Australia.

[Peach]

It's a shame you always have to get personal, it's possible you may have valid opinions but we will never know. Of course some may experience issues just as we did in Australia.

 

Hardly personal, you've stated the NHS is great where you are, therefore it must be great across the UK. The experience of others doesn't agree with your assumption.

[bristolman]

Hardly personal, you've stated the NHS is great where you are, therefore it must be great across the UK. The experience of others doesn't agree with your assumption.

 

I made no such assumption.