We are so Lucky to have the NHS
Discussion
Had to take our little boy to the childrens A&E last night.
He's not been well for a couple of days but last night I realised his respiration was rapid (over 60 per min) and laboured and a high temp we were struggling to get under control.
Phoned Nhs Direct, who put me straight through to a nurse who after a few mins said go to a&e.
I did not even know we had a separate childrens a&e until we got there. (Though as one nurse said plenty do!)
There was some waiting around but not much. Our boy was admitted into there observation ward for the night where he had inhaler treatment, steroids etc. I stayed with him on the reclining chair still in my uniform which confused some as I year scrubs!
The staff were fantastic, the treatment prompt and our little boy is back home now hopefully on the mend.
Anyway to get back to my point, we should never forget how lucky we are to have this service (I know it's not always perfect) as my hubby and me said last night.
So this rambling post is (not only due to sleep deprivation on my part!) but also a huge thank you to all the staff I met last night, they helped put the minds of two worried parents at rest last night.
They also lent me a pair of replacement scrub trousers after my son threw up on mine
He's not been well for a couple of days but last night I realised his respiration was rapid (over 60 per min) and laboured and a high temp we were struggling to get under control.
Phoned Nhs Direct, who put me straight through to a nurse who after a few mins said go to a&e.
I did not even know we had a separate childrens a&e until we got there. (Though as one nurse said plenty do!)
There was some waiting around but not much. Our boy was admitted into there observation ward for the night where he had inhaler treatment, steroids etc. I stayed with him on the reclining chair still in my uniform which confused some as I year scrubs!
The staff were fantastic, the treatment prompt and our little boy is back home now hopefully on the mend.
Anyway to get back to my point, we should never forget how lucky we are to have this service (I know it's not always perfect) as my hubby and me said last night.
So this rambling post is (not only due to sleep deprivation on my part!) but also a huge thank you to all the staff I met last night, they helped put the minds of two worried parents at rest last night.
They also lent me a pair of replacement scrub trousers after my son threw up on mine
The NHS gets lots of stick but yes its the envy of the world.Lets just make sure the rest of the world dont get free NHS treatment(thats another story).Our daughter in law and her premature baby have just come out of intensive care after life saving treatment to both of them.It was discussed by the family "to go private" but right from the start it was obvious that the quality of care was second to none and no amount of expensive private treatment would have been any better. If you look back a few days ago on here there were people comparing notes on private Laser Eye Surgery,they were paying £000`s!!WHY? I had it all done on NHS perfect job,no waiting.Same with my hearing aids,NHS gave me £6000 worth of the latest digital aids,just like that.Then I could write a book on how they looked after my mum in the last few years of her life.Yes as tax payers we expect this and there is a lot wrong with the NHS but give them credit when its due.
Old Merc said:
It was discussed by the family "to go private" but right from the start it was obvious that the quality of care was second to none and no amount of expensive private treatment would have been any better.
I am happy to be contradicted but as far as I am aware there aren't any emergency pediatric or neonatal intensive care beds available in the UK private sector. The profit margins would be non existent IMHO. Glad to hear everyone above is doing well. The NHS has it's weak points but it is considered to be the most efficient health care service in the world. This really shocked me when I heard it, but what it means is that an awful lot is done with the money that goes in.
It would be a shame to loose it.
Antonia said:
I am happy to be contradicted but as far as I am aware there aren't any emergency pediatric or neonatal intensive care beds available in the UK private sector. The profit margins would be non existent IMHO.
Glad to hear everyone above is doing well. The NHS has it's weak points but it is considered to be the most efficient health care service in the world. This really shocked me when I heard it, but what it means is that an awful lot is done with the money that goes in.
It would be a shame to loose it.
I`m sure your correct.What was meant was that we had the resources but money could not buy the standard of care they had with the NHS. Glad to hear everyone above is doing well. The NHS has it's weak points but it is considered to be the most efficient health care service in the world. This really shocked me when I heard it, but what it means is that an awful lot is done with the money that goes in.
It would be a shame to loose it.
Pulse said:
And at the rate we're going, that isn't far off. The Tories may well and truly screw it up for everyone.
Please don't get into that side of it!The country is skint thanks to the last lot!We are talking here about the medical staff and the care they provide in the NHS.The NHS is here to stay.It will have to have some dreaded cuts.Do you know its the Worlds third largest employer? next is the Indian Railway and The Chinese Army! I didn't know that either till the other day. Fully applaud the sentiment of the thread and glad that Bex's little'un is ok. 
Old Merc said:
. . . Do you know its the Worlds third largest employer? next is the Indian Railway and The Chinese Army! I didn't know that either till the other day.
Would never have guessed that and dont doubt it at all! Having an enquiring mind may I ask where you heard that fact?Digger said:
Would never have guessed that and dont doubt it at all! Having an enquiring mind may I ask where you heard that fact?
Not sure where he got it from (so I can't link you to it), but it's certainly thereabouts - a huge employer. Easy to be a large employer though when you consider all of the hospitals, etc.OldMerc said:
If you look back a few days ago on here there were people comparing notes on private Laser Eye Surgery,they were paying £000`s!!WHY? I had it all done on NHS perfect job,no waiting.
You can't have vision correction on the NHS. You must have had a condition that could lead to vison loss.OldMerc said:
Then I could write a book on how they looked after my mum in the last few years of her life.
have you guys actually experienced any other health care providers than the UK?
Used to live and work in Switzerland. had a car accident. didn't have my medical card on me- didn't matter- an air ambulance arrived at the Super St Bernard pass- whisked me to hospital in Lausanne, and when i woke up i was in a clean quiet private room, which was comfortable and smart. Nurse arrived seconds after i woke up, spoke English, and they cared for me for 2 weeks as if i were at a hotel.
This all was paid for by medical insurance, for which i had paid a bit extra to get a higher level of care. This cost me the grand sum of £75/month. The lack of taxes MORE than made up for having to pay this.
My experiences contrasted severely with having a close relative have an accident in the UK- could not have been worse.
Our system is only the envy of people that know the cost of everything but the value of nothing.
Used to live and work in Switzerland. had a car accident. didn't have my medical card on me- didn't matter- an air ambulance arrived at the Super St Bernard pass- whisked me to hospital in Lausanne, and when i woke up i was in a clean quiet private room, which was comfortable and smart. Nurse arrived seconds after i woke up, spoke English, and they cared for me for 2 weeks as if i were at a hotel.
This all was paid for by medical insurance, for which i had paid a bit extra to get a higher level of care. This cost me the grand sum of £75/month. The lack of taxes MORE than made up for having to pay this.
My experiences contrasted severely with having a close relative have an accident in the UK- could not have been worse.
Our system is only the envy of people that know the cost of everything but the value of nothing.
t but then I moved to Greece....can't wait to be back in the UK to enjoy the NHS again!Antonia said:
I am happy to be contradicted but as far as I am aware there aren't any emergency pediatric or neonatal intensive care beds available in the UK private sector. The profit margins would be non existent IMHO.
You are spot on. A&E & ICU are a massive overhead which private hospitals do not have to carry. Indeed I have heard of occasions where a private hospital has messed up and the unfortunate patient has had to be rushed down to the nearest A&E to be treated. Private hospitals also don't have to bear the cost of training junior doctors.The private sector heavily cherry-pick their work, which is why they're such good businesses, and why they are able to seemingly offer you 'more' from your 'experience' with them, such as better rooms, or even better views. The strict criteria of procedures undertaken within ISTCs is evidence of this.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Wrong. I AM a Commissioner, and the ISTCs set the rules for who they will take, and who they won't. After all, they have guaranteed money from the government for a number of years. The rules are very strict, and they won't do anything too risky in case it costs them more.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff