Brilliant NHS

Yes, I have had some excellent care recently from the NHS but when my dentist found a suspicious growth inside my cheek, and put me on the 2-week pathway, I discovered that the wait was actually going to be 3 months. I therefore paid £3,000 privately and after biopsies, MRI and CT scans I actually saw an NHS consultant after "only" 8 weeks. My private biopsies and scans saved the NHS both time and money and my treatment was excellent.

Just after the end of Radiotherapy I was sent to A&E (after ringing 111) and after 10 hours in the worst A&E in the country (Stepping Hill, Stockport) I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and given medication. I was told I would be referred to a Cardiologist and got a letter telling me that the wait would be "up to" 22 weeks". I am now 48 weeks on and no appointment. The online checker still says 22 weeks. The medication hasn't totally dealt with the symptoms of A-Fib but my GP says I just have to wait. Unless, of course, I pay for another round of private treatment.

Thank you so much!
Asa GP I am often really distressed by the moans on this platform. We try really hard , you know.

Thank you Mirren, we know you do.

Quality of service does seem to be a post code lottery
I saw a GP just before Christmas .I received medication, exercise and a referral to the hospital. I went for the appointment on 30th December .
With another problem I saw a GP just after Christmas and was given an appointment for 3rd January but due to weather I had to defer it to 8th and then 15th. That evening I had an email from the consultant with the diagnosis. The significant phrase was "non cancerous. Something often occurring in old age".
My OH had a GP appointment then a scan and an urgent operation within 2 weeks.-- To save his life. He is still with us 18months later.
Thank You NHS,

Yes Mirren - although I’m not a Doctor, I have many in my immediate family, and they work really, really hard. I’m always annoyed at the criticisms of the NHS. Try living in countries, where you pay for every service or have to take out Health Insurance with high premiums.

Mirren

Thank you so much!
Asa GP I am often really distressed by the moans on this platform. We try really hard , you know.

I think most of us accept that most GPs are hardworking Mirren. This thread is about the NHS in general.

What you call “moans” are very important to patients and families and we should have the right to complain about poor treatment or care.

I always thank NHS staff for good service whether they are doctors, nurses, cleaners, ward assistants or admin staff.
Equally, I will also call out any poor service because that should be highlighted. Every time I visit our health centre, dentist or hospital I get either a questionnaire or text to review it, so I do.

Our GP service has been excellent but our neighbour has not been fairing so well in hospital. He has been in for about three months and whilst there he has caught Covid, a stomach bug, a chest infection and the latest, flu , at the beginning of this week. He is very poorly. Imagine his wife’s surprise when , with no prior discussion of how she will manage, they told her today that he would be coming home at 8 am tomorrow. This is for someone who can barely walk and will need a bed downstairs. Whatever team who coordinates these things failed to contact her so that suitable arrangements could be made!

Faring, not fairing! Autocorrect is so annoying.

Nandalot

Our GP service has been excellent but our neighbour has not been fairing so well in hospital. He has been in for about three months and whilst there he has caught Covid, a stomach bug, a chest infection and the latest, flu , at the beginning of this week. He is very poorly. Imagine his wife’s surprise when , with no prior discussion of how she will manage, they told her today that he would be coming home at 8 am tomorrow. This is for someone who can barely walk and will need a bed downstairs. Whatever team who coordinates these things failed to contact her so that suitable arrangements could be made!

That is the hospital discharge team, but the wife has right to and should have refused to have him home until a care package and aftercare was in place. They may however have asked him if had someone to look after him at home and if he answered yes, that is it, they will get him out as sharply as they can, as they obviously need the bed These things must be talked about when admitted, so there is time to plan.

Such a huge dollop of reassurance for your husband Kitty I’m really pleased for you both tonight. You can drop your shoulders down from beside your ears.

I just feel sad taking of my own dear man who, with the best of intentions, was ‘fobbed off’ for eight months. “You must be bleeding from somewhere. It’s a mystery” etc. in the end I cried because his symptoms were so much worsened. He was put on the HSC205 pathway (2 week wait for Highly Suspicious of Cancer). Endoscopy done that Saturday morning and sadly the ‘scope couldn’t get past the ‘large mass’. Our world has tipped upside down ever since.

Oh god I’m crying now. Sorry.
I don’t want to spoil your joy. It just triggered my emotions.
I’m feeling a bit raw tonight.
Cancer sucks in a person, a household, a family.

Can’t complain hubby last Friday had rang for routine appointment. Git it that day because of a cough and generally feeling unwell sent straight to A& E because some pain in his chest. Sat all day but were seen ecg and bloods done X-ray etc just a chest infection and lots of waiting about but all done got home within five hours. Peace of mind. I also had a problem night before Christmas Eve because my hearing aid completely dead. Rang ent that I go to about aid. on Christmas Eve hopefully to get an appointment for after Christmas. I got an appointment that day new hearing aid replaced and was home with best Christmas present ever- my hearing! Excellent service!

Thank you mirren for all you do. 🙌

fgt2, sorry to have dragged that up for you. I had an inkling of what you have been through. Sending you hugs - I know you are feeling vulnerable tonight. ❤️

I have just been reading about how upsetting it is for NHS nurses to have to cope with patients on trolleys in corridors and how they can't do their job properly because they are so under staffed.

Why anybody wants to be a nurse I'll never know but thank goodness they do. They are overworked, underpaid and in my opinion, under appreciated.

kitty mt abject apologies I’m just a bit shaken up tonight.
But I am truly DELIGHTED to hear of your Good News. xx

Sending a 🤗 FGT2

I hope I’ve not spoiled this thread with my outburst.
Please ignore me and carry on. x

The NHS has saved my husband twice. Once from prostate cancer (10 years in remission now) and this year from that horrible virus. They saved my brother who had a massive stroke and my brother in law from skin cancer and a stroke. We are grateful. No complaints here.

Oh FGT , you are so entitled to feel as sad as you do and my heart goes out to you and your DH. Your experience is medicine failing you and yours very badly: I can only send you a virtual hug .
A friend presented with a small lump, which was removed, but followed up with a body scan revealing a much larger problem.
Weeks on, major surgery has happened, and she is recovering; the NHS at its best.

It’s over 18 months ago now, but I was profoundly grateful to the NHS - 111, ambulance crew, hospital - when I was suddenly taken very ill and ended up in hospital for 3 weeks.

My only very minor gripe was over a snippy little HCA on that first night. Otherwise everyone from consultants to cleaners was very kind.

Nothing but praise for my local health services. Phoned local surgery 1430 on a Friday. Was called back and offered a 1500 'squeeze in'. Ambulanced straight to my regional hospital and had major surgery at 1100 on the Saturday. Now in slow but sure recovery. Thank you all parts of NHS.

That is brilliant news kitty, good that you DH got looked at so quickly, especially as I am in the same area as you and that it turned out to be nothing too serious.

Unfortunately and sadly NHS cannot be “fixed”. The business model upon which it operates is not longer fit for purpose. But because politically it’s such a hot potato’s no politician or government is prepared to change it to something more realistic and workable. And yes we will have to pay for it or at least some of it it. But then we already are. Paying for it that is Or rather for its shortcomings. And the stories here are a witness to this fact.