ChaoticMusings

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

The NHS.

Digger · Admin

Syl wrote:
We moan enough about it, but sometimes they are brilliant.

So I had an eye test at Boots a month ago, they prescribed new reading glasses...they were useless, I could actually see better with my 10 year old specs.
i tried to get used to them, couldn't, so eventually I took them back, and after another eye test they decided I needed cataract surgery. I got a refund for my glasses (eventually, after a bit of a discussion) and last Thursday they referred me to a private eye hospital, even though I am having the op done on the NHS.
I went today for an assessment, and they are doing the op next Tuesday....a wait of. just. SEVEN DAYS.

-- Edited by Syl on Tuesday 12th of March 2024 07:01:53 PM

I hope all goes well for you.

Digger · Admin

Have you got blurred vision or is everything cloudy?

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Digger wrote:
Have you got blurred vision or is everything cloudy?

No, I can see fine, I need glasses to read, sew, close work, that's all. I don't wear distance glasses either, had no idea I had cataracts.

Might as well have them done though, left one first, right one when I come back from holiday.

Magica · Go Outside

Oh brilliant Syl, so fast. Hope all goes well xx

Maddog · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
We moan enough about it, but sometimes they are brilliant.

So I had an eye test at Boots a month ago, they prescribed new reading glasses...they were useless, I could actually see better with my 10 year old specs.
i tried to get used to them, couldn't, so eventually I took them back, and after another eye test they decided I needed cataract surgery. I got a refund for my glasses (eventually, after a bit of a discussion) and last Thursday they referred me to a private eye hospital, even though I am having the op done on the NHS.
I went today for an assessment, and they are doing the op next Tuesday....a wait of. just. SEVEN DAYS.

-- Edited by Syl on Tuesday 12th of March 2024 07:01:53 PM

Why so long? 😉

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
We moan enough about it, but sometimes they are brilliant.

So I had an eye test at Boots a month ago, they prescribed new reading glasses...they were useless, I could actually see better with my 10 year old specs.
i tried to get used to them, couldn't, so eventually I took them back, and after another eye test they decided I needed cataract surgery. I got a refund for my glasses (eventually, after a bit of a discussion) and last Thursday they referred me to a private eye hospital, even though I am having the op done on the NHS.
I went today for an assessment, and they are doing the op next Tuesday....a wait of. just. SEVEN DAYS.

-- Edited by Syl on Tuesday 12th of March 2024 07:01:53 PM
Why so long? 😉

Maddog · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
We moan enough about it, but sometimes they are brilliant.

So I had an eye test at Boots a month ago, they prescribed new reading glasses...they were useless, I could actually see better with my 10 year old specs.
i tried to get used to them, couldn't, so eventually I took them back, and after another eye test they decided I needed cataract surgery. I got a refund for my glasses (eventually, after a bit of a discussion) and last Thursday they referred me to a private eye hospital, even though I am having the op done on the NHS.
I went today for an assessment, and they are doing the op next Tuesday....a wait of. just. SEVEN DAYS.

-- Edited by Syl on Tuesday 12th of March 2024 07:01:53 PM
Why so long? 😉

I couldn't resist.

This is exactly what would have happened to you here.

You would be treated at a private facility very quickly, and the government would have covered it, due to you being a "senior"..

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
We moan enough about it, but sometimes they are brilliant.

So I had an eye test at Boots a month ago, they prescribed new reading glasses...they were useless, I could actually see better with my 10 year old specs.
i tried to get used to them, couldn't, so eventually I took them back, and after another eye test they decided I needed cataract surgery. I got a refund for my glasses (eventually, after a bit of a discussion) and last Thursday they referred me to a private eye hospital, even though I am having the op done on the NHS.
I went today for an assessment, and they are doing the op next Tuesday....a wait of. just. SEVEN DAYS.

-- Edited by Syl on Tuesday 12th of March 2024 07:01:53 PM
Why so long? 😉

I couldn't resist.

This is exactly what would have happened to you here.

You would be treated at a private facility very quickly, and the government would have covered it, due to you being a "senior"..

Really, I didn't know that, when do you become a senior in the US?

The private cost here would be around 4k for the two eyes.....but I wasn't in a rush, so it's a bonus that I am being seen to so quickly, in a private hospital, by the same surgeons who would be operating privately, and just as quickly.

Magica · Go Outside

Very pleased for you Syl x

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Magica wrote:
Very pleased for you Syl x

Thanks Mags. x

Maddog · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
We moan enough about it, but sometimes they are brilliant.

So I had an eye test at Boots a month ago, they prescribed new reading glasses...they were useless, I could actually see better with my 10 year old specs.
i tried to get used to them, couldn't, so eventually I took them back, and after another eye test they decided I needed cataract surgery. I got a refund for my glasses (eventually, after a bit of a discussion) and last Thursday they referred me to a private eye hospital, even though I am having the op done on the NHS.
I went today for an assessment, and they are doing the op next Tuesday....a wait of. just. SEVEN DAYS.

-- Edited by Syl on Tuesday 12th of March 2024 07:01:53 PM
Why so long? 😉

I couldn't resist.

This is exactly what would have happened to you here.

You would be treated at a private facility very quickly, and the government would have covered it, due to you being a "senior"..
Really, I didn't know that, when do you become a senior in the US?
The private cost here would be around 4k for the two eyes.....but I wasn't in a rush, so it's a bonus that I am being seen to so quickly, in a private hospital, by the same surgeons who would be operating privately, and just as quickly.

65, if you're healthy.

There are ways to tap into the system earlier if you are disabled.

Maddog · Go Outside

And I wouldn't be bragging too much about the NHS.

If it was working efficiently you would be treated in an NHS hospital.

And 20% of your population wouldn't be carrying BUPA now..

What you are experiencing is typical European Healthcare where the hospitals are private and make a profit, while the payment is often from a government insurance plan.

Ours is similar, except it's really only for the poor, disabled and elderly, as opposed to everyone.

The UK and Canada are the only two western countries that I know of, that really have government run Healthcare in that the medical professionals are part of the government..

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Maddog wrote:
And I wouldn't be bragging too much about the NHS.

If it was working efficiently you would be treated in an NHS hospital.

And 20% of your population wouldn't be carrying BUPA now..

What you are experiencing is typical European Healthcare where the hospitals are private and make a profit, while the payment is often from a government insurance plan.

Ours is similar, except it's really only for the poor, disabled and elderly, as opposed to everyone.

The UK and Canada are the only two western countries that I know of, that really have government run Healthcare in that the medical professionals are part of the government..

I think you hold the bragging rights here Maddog....or at least you think you do.

The facts are, we complain a lot about the NHS, or more particularly the GP side of it here....it is definitely not what it was or should be.

The NHS as a whole is still there to help everyone when needed. Have a car crash, a heart attack, an unforeseen accident, and we will be cared for without first proving we have insurance or providing bank details.

We also have a choice. We can go privately if we wish, either by having health insurance or paying as and when we need medical services.

On the whole, I, and I suspect most Brits, would choose our choices over yours.

Maddog · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
And I wouldn't be bragging too much about the NHS.

If it was working efficiently you would be treated in an NHS hospital.

And 20% of your population wouldn't be carrying BUPA now..

What you are experiencing is typical European Healthcare where the hospitals are private and make a profit, while the payment is often from a government insurance plan.

Ours is similar, except it's really only for the poor, disabled and elderly, as opposed to everyone.

The UK and Canada are the only two western countries that I know of, that really have government run Healthcare in that the medical professionals are part of the government..
I think you hold the bragging rights here Maddog....or at least you think you do.

The facts are, we complain a lot about the NHS, or more particularly the GP side of it here....it is definitely not what it was or should be.
The NHS as a whole is still there to help everyone when needed. Have a car crash, a heart attack, an unforeseen accident, and we will be cared for without first proving we have insurance or providing bank details.
We also have a choice. We can go privately if we wish, either by having health insurance or paying as and when we need medical services.
On the whole, I, and I suspect most Brits, would choose our choices over yours.

I know most Brits would choose the system that's all they know. It's kind of like the monarchy.

And no one gets asked anything when they receive emergency care here.

And of course you have the choice to go private. My point is, you wouldn't need that choice of you were happy with the NHS.

I'm 100% convinced that Brits will always support the NHS in the same manner that a woman supports a terrible husband. They are invested and aren't about to change now..

Maybe moaning about something isn't the best way to make things better?

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

I disagree that in today's society women will support a terrible husband, at least not for long. anyway...those days are in the past.
And if there was a referendum to keep or discard the monarchy, my guess is the majority would not vote to keep.

And yes, we Brits do support the NHS, and we do actually pay for it, it's not free for us that have contributed for decades by paying tax and national insurance.
It's only free for the work-shy, or immigrants who have contributed sod all.

But to clarify, in America if people need medical treatment and they have no insurance, they don't pay for emergency care?
I thought they did, unless they were poverty stricken.

Maddog · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
I disagree that in today's society women will support a terrible husband, at least not for long. anyway...those days are in the past.
And if there was a referendum to keep or discard the monarchy, my guess is the majority would not vote to keep.

And yes, we Brits do support the NHS, and we do actually pay for it, it's not free for us that have contributed for decades by paying tax and national insurance.
It's only free for the work-shy, or immigrants who have contributed sod all.

But to clarify, in America if people need medical treatment and they have no insurance, they don't pay for emergency care?
I thought they did, unless they were poverty stricken.

It is illegal in the US to deny emergency care to someone that needs it.

Last time I went in for kidney stones, they didn't bring up payment until after treatment, and even then, they just send you a bill..

You have been fed bullshit for years about our system..

Now, if it's a large amount it could bankrupt you.

You look at the NHS as a British institution that can't be replaced. You are emotionally attached to it, all while having a very poor opinion of the care it provides.

Brits are far less pleased with their health care than Americans, all while defending it..

Also, folks in Europe tend to be far happier with their health care and they don't have a nationalized system like the UK and Canada..

Theirs is typically more like ours, except they make your life a living hell if you don't buy health insurance..

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

It's true we moan about the NHS, from my experience it's more the GP's that are the problem.
They are the ones who are supposed to deal with general health, or refer the patient for further tests and specialised treatment.....and many don't.

I have had a knee replacement, ( the other one will be replaced this year) a hip replacement, physio for both, CT scans, and soon cataract surgery, without me ever seeing a GP....and no bill at the end.
I wonder how much that would cost you?

So emergency care isn't refused in the US, but what if a person can't pay the bill after the treatment?
We in the UK don't go bankrupt because we need medical care.

How many American citizens dont seek medical help for suspected cancers for eg, for fear of the cost?
Good health shouldn't be the prerogative to those who can pay a huge bill, or those who can afford hefty insurance costs.

Maddog · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
It's true we moan about the NHS, from my experience it's more the GP's that are the problem.
They are the ones who are supposed to deal with general health, or refer the patient for further tests and specialised treatment.....and many don't.

I have had a knee replacement, ( the other one will be replaced this year) a hip replacement, physio for both, CT scans, and soon cataract surgery, without me ever seeing a GP....and no bill at the end.
I wonder how much that would cost you?

So emergency care isn't refused in the US, but what if a person can't pay the bill after the treatment?
We in the UK don't go bankrupt because we need medical care.

How many American citizens dont seek medical help for suspected cancers for eg, for fear of the cost?
Good health shouldn't be the prerogative to those who can pay a huge bill, or those who can afford hefty insurance costs.

I have no idea what any of that would cost me. I pay for insurance and it's convoluted no doubt. Most of the bill would be covered..

I've never said that our care is cheap. We are the most expensive on the planet.

My point was, that it's fast and high quality.

And many folks would prefer to file bankruptcy and get great care, then to wait in pain for care that might be too late..

That's why Americans aren't as unhappy with their care. They know when it really matters, it will be there and we can always replace the money. We can't replace lives.

But I also will acknowledge that people put off care because they are worried about cost. The same as they don't buy insurance when it's readily available and affordable. They are making calculated decisions based on cost..

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Your system works for those who can afford it, obviously for the millions who can't, it won't work.
And who wants to be made bankrupt, even lose their homes, because they have fallen ill or met with an unforeseen accident?
No doubt the insurance companies in the US love people with your attitude.....they are the ones forking it in.

There has been a lot of news here lately about veterinary costs....which of course are not free. People either have insurance for their pets, or are met with huge bills by vet practices that charge astronomical fees, often hidden till the time comes to pay.

In the phone-ins I have heard this week, the majority have said they had to get into debt because the vets bills have run into thousands, and they were not insured because the costs were too high and they couldn't afford the premiums.

That's just for a pet, not for a human.