NHS

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ooid

Original Poster:

4,049 posts

99 months

Friday 13th December 2019
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Currently waiting in A&E at London hospital after literally refused to be seen in another one. (They said wait 7 hours or leave....)

I know Im not supposed to rant here at the moment but quite hopeless situation.

My wife got suddenly super ill midnight today, For the first time in my life I called an ambulance. It took them 50 mins to come ( i live london, Zone 2) and called them 4 times. She was semi-unconscious, loads of pain and fever, throwing up...We think it is something related to an earlier condition which she has not able to see a consultant yet as they put her in another 4 months waiting list..

The first hospital we went to was a disaster, 7 hours waiting and bunch of inadequate nurses can't even type her birth date right..

So after nearly 4.5 hours, we are in another hospital, my partner is in massive pain and waiting to be seen by a doctor.

Is this NHS? Is this supposed to be United Kingdom? A first world country? I never go to hospital as Ive been fortunate enough in the health side but I cant think of anyone with even worse conditions than us....

I will put my British passport on ebay tonight, not sure if it would worth a penny though...

National embarassment.


WonkeyDonkey

2,333 posts

102 months

Friday 13th December 2019
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And after tonight's result its only going to get worse....

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Friday 13th December 2019
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Would have got worse either way.

Brainpox

4,054 posts

150 months

Friday 13th December 2019
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Who did you vote for OP?

If you are waiting that long just think how many people were in a worse position... The nurse getting a date of birth wrong is a pretty minor thing given the ridiculous shifts they have to work and the people they have to deal with.

You have my sympathies OP but you aren't the only one with a bad experience and there will be more stories like it going forward. It is what happens when something is under-resourced and abused by people who don't need to be there.

Edited by Brainpox on Friday 13th December 18:42

numtumfutunch

4,704 posts

137 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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Sorry to hear about your wife and I hope shes better now

My experience of the NHS is a world of difference but admittedly I dont live in zone 2

When loved ones have needed it ASAP its delivered and with routine stuff have been seen and had operations within 2-3 months which seems reasonable I think

Its an interesting point you raise about nurses not getting the basics right and you have to wonder why

Its not hard to imagine that a nurse (or firefighter/teacher/binman/etc) probably doesnt make enough money to live in zone 2 let alone inside the A406 or M25 and so inner London hospitals possibly rely on overseas recruitment to fill hard pressed jobs with staff who perhaps dont speak English as their first language. And I dont think an understaffed and stretched casualty department is high on the list of desirable places to work even if it did pay a bit more......

Have you ever tried to get an appointment with a GP recently?

Because I have and its a bloody shambles which probably explains your 7h wait with people getting nobbed off and just arriving in casualty instead

Cheers

padgett

434 posts

229 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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I used a walk in clinic last week near Tottenham Court Road and was then referred to the opthalmic hospital near Marylebone.

At both places the service was amazing. The people were all incredible. Friendly, funny, gave me good advice and helped me out with a pretty horrible eye thing that was really freaking me out.

So I think you've just been unlucky. I for one now think the nursing staff deserve 150% respect for doing the job in difficult conditions for sod all money.

Crumpet

3,876 posts

179 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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It must really be dependent on where you live. Not that I’m a heavy user (touch wood) but for GP appointments it’s always same day and hospital appointments for wife and children are always reasonably sensible. Children’s A&E visits have always been sorted within an hour. My wife also got called in for a next day surgical procedure the other day so when they really need to do it they’re certainly able.

The NHS is great, but it’s not the envy of the world and there are definitely better ways of doing it.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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Really sorry for your situation OP.

As said, must depend on where you are and at what time.

Mrs 2SB broke her arm in January. We were seen within the hour, and the follow up care has been astounding.

Hope it all works out for you soon.

sawman

4,915 posts

229 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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Crumpet said:
It must really be dependent on where you live. Not that I’m a heavy user (touch wood) but for GP appointments it’s always same day and hospital appointments for wife and children are always reasonably sensible. Children’s A&E visits have always been sorted within an hour. My wife also got called in for a next day surgical procedure the other day so when they really need to do it they’re certainly able.

The NHS is great, but it’s not the envy of the world and there are definitely better ways of doing it.
So you get gp appointments the same day, kids sorted in a&e within an hour and next day surgery, but you think it could be done better??
What exactly do you want?!

(Not being confrontational, just interested to hear whats missing)

So

26,271 posts

221 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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NHS - loads of staff milling about, little sense of urgency, generally poor service, need to query everything,

Private - far fewer staff, far greater work rate, generally good service, usually a good experience.

The problem appears to be that the NHS is a sacred cow that no political party dare criticise and such a huge, complicated mess that mending it would be the work of a generation.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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So said:
NHS - loads of staff milling about, little sense of urgency, generally poor service, need to query everything,

Private - far fewer staff, far greater work rate, generally good service, usually a good experience.

The problem appears to be that the NHS is a sacred cow that no political party dare criticise and such a huge, complicated mess that mending it would be the work of a generation.
Pretty accurate description there. My wife broke her wrist earlier this year. The hospital lost her on their system three times, needing us to call to chase them up every time. Six months later we are still waiting for a physio appointment, as I daresay they have lost her again. Luckily, we have private healthcare cover, so one phone call and she had a physio appointment two days later.

Sheepshanks

32,528 posts

118 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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So said:
NHS - loads of staff milling about....
I must admit this befuddles me - one presumes they're doing something, but they make a great job of appearing to be doing nothing in particular, meanwhile the phone is ringing continuously and various alarms are going off.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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So said:
NHS - loads of staff milling about, little sense of urgency, generally poor service, need to query everything,

Private - far fewer staff, far greater work rate, generally good service, usually a good experience.

The problem appears to be that the NHS is a sacred cow that no political party dare criticise and such a huge, complicated mess that mending it would be the work of a generation.
That's a reasonably fair observation for an average visit.

But when required the NHS do it right and do it well.

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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I am glad I live up North, my experience with the local health service is generally good.

TCX

1,976 posts

54 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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No experience of using NHS in London,but one of the few times I've been in a and e was treated fantastically,didn't start off too well,lady at reception insisted on lots of questions,I hadn't come in ambulance,didn't appear too bad,but as both I and the bloke who'd driven me there,industrial accident,told her probs better see someone soon,which as soon as the triage nurse saw me was confirmed,mind you part of the excellent treatment could've been from the first doctor calling all the rest to come n see something quite interesting,the internal only just workings of an arm for all to see

bristolbaron

4,756 posts

211 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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My grandad spend the night on a bed in a hospital corridor last night after a fall. No rooms available and no bell so family stayed with him throughout the night for when he needed attending.
In general though, the NHS have been superb with him, he’s been in and out over the last 3 years due to lymphoma and is well looked after.
I had a 6 day stay earlier in the year due to colon removal and again the staff can’t be faulted. The only upside to private care would’ve been better food options, but that was easily sorted through family visits!
I do fear for the future of the NHS though, the bills we’d both have received without it probably would’ve taken the whole family down!

imperium

390 posts

83 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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Hope your wife gets better soon.

The NHS is a bit hit and miss in my experience. Some amazing staff, then some that can’t seem to carry out the most basic of tasks. I don’t have a great deal of confidence in the nhs tbh.

ooid

Original Poster:

4,049 posts

99 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
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Thank you for the health wishes, and sorry to hear those who had some recent/old experiences in the hospital. As I mentioned previously, I have been very fortunate with the health side myself (do not smoke, not a big drinker, no drugs, very boring type!..).

To give more info about the situation of one of the most terrible nights I have ever had again. When I called the ambulance, early friday 1.00 a.m., we just woke up to my wife's situation. She was in massive pain, a bit fever and throwing up. Shaking, and not speaking properly. She had previously diagnosed with Endometriosis, and been visiting her GP for the last few months, on/off but she still has not been able to get an appointment with a specialist. The MRI results took so slow, we actually had to ask the MRI results through Freedom of Information and got a private doctor appointment instead. Anyway, due to her symptoms, we thought this is probably related to her condition, and since she can't walk properly, I had to call ambulance right away. She could not walk to our car or leave the house. The ambulance literally took 40 mins or more. I have called them 4 times, the answer I've got "Sorry sir, we are so busy tonight, no ambulance is available!". It is absolutely nightmare to see your partner in pains, crying, screaming and can't get her to the hospital and your emergency service can't get you some ambulance in essentially central London!

The moment Ambulance came, they were doing immediately basic checks, and later pain-medication. in 30 mins or so, we have been taken to the closest A&E. (Newham Hospital). I have never been to this hospital before, so not sure what people would think or assume but as I mentioned in the first post, I have never seen such a bad place in my life, calling it a hospital is total crime all I can say. As soon as she was admitted, after a bit of paper-work with the ambulance team, the head-nurse said, the waiting period is 7 hours! yes, 7 hours! They can not be serious!? Forgetting the waiting times, even a healthy person might lose their state of health after spending at least 30 mins there. It was the dirtiest hospital/clinic I've ever seen in my life. There is no bed, quite small waiting room loads of people literally stacked together waiting to be seen. It literally look like one of the sad temporary hospitals you would see in Syria or Iraq in war zone, no joke.

I've asked the head nurse immediately that I need to take my wife to other hospital, as she can not wait that long and requested the record of medicines that given to her in the ambulance. (to show this to the next hospital). The -rude- head nurse first ignored me, then finally gave our records when I insisted. I kindly requested wheelchair, as I cant carry her to the exit door, she and her other colleague again dismissed me saying "I can not see any wheelchair here".. They were not even bothered to open the gates for us so that we could get out(the doors are locked, only opened by staff card), you could imagine my state, trying to carry my wife but I need their help to get out, I asked them again loudly, "for the sake of helping us please, can you at least open the door!". One of these nurses moved herself in discomfort and let me out, I told her she should be proud of herself today, that's it.

I drove to another hospital (Homerton A&E), which was about 20 mins drive. As I have been there before, I thought it would be O.K. We have been admitted immediately a very nice nurse came over and gave us a private room with a bed. Her blood, urine samples taken again and more painkillers given. After this, we had to wait about 3 hours to be seen by a doctor, which I find completely strange, and I do hope some one from NHS can actually give me some logical info, as the hospital/ward was not that busy?

A nurse keep coming every 20 mins or so checking us kindly, how we are doing but I've asked him when we could see a doctor. He said, they are busy but we are the next on line. The ward was not that busy, but there is a big circular work/desk arrangement in A&E layout, where all junior doctors/registrars (not so sure about their hierarchy?) and nurses seating and typing or recording their notes.. I've seen 2-3 junior or registrars there for this 2-3 hour period, usually doing some admin work or chatting quite casually. As I keep asking our nurse when can we see the doctor, they saw and heard me so I thought we would probably waiting for a senior doctor or consultant. Anyway, after nearly 3 hours wait, one of these young gentleman just came to see us! Of course that minute, I had no effort to argue with him or question what he was doing in there for the last 2-3 hours? literally this is for curiosity, are doctors supposed to fill and do their admins there, even though you have quite emergency patients waiting just opposite? This is totally bonkers to me hopefully someone from inside can give a logical explanation. The young doctor, just asked all the history of the events, took some notes, then he went to make some phone calls. I had to go out at some point to change our parking place, during this time my wife asked him for help to walk to toilet but he also dismissed. On my return, clearly there was a shift-change, and another senior doctor came in (female) and took a more hands-on approach with my wife. Took more tests, and checked upon us with new medicine until we leave, she was great. My wife would probably need an operation but since we still have not able to see her consultant she could not advise more but said we need to see the consultant with MRI asap. (Tell us about it, we are in the queue for months!)

I took the final pull, and taking loads of recommendation/experiences from friends/relatives, we just travelled to Turkey (Istanbul) today, and made appointment with a quite well known doctor in this field. The appointment was made quickly due to our friends/relatives, and I can only say we are lucky/fortunate to have this travel in short-time. I had no prior knowledge on this previously but clearly; Istanbul (Turkey) and Barcelona (Spain) just became the major popular cities for mainly British citizens to get their operations done, since NHS failing to act on them. The facilities are fantastic, doctors are extremely talented and well educated. I have also made appointments for getting a private health cover for both of us in the future in U.K., I'm afraid I have no believe or trust in the system anymore...

I will definitely send my experience to PALS system at Newham Hospital and Care Quality Commission but after seeing what is happening there and how actually they are being allowed to act/work in that way, I doubt any action would be taken.

Thank you for the best wishes again, I really would not know how to act or what to do if I have much more serious condition, such as a ill toddlers.

PS: Some one earlier asked me how did I vote? I'm sorry to say as much as we believe this is mostly related to politics and budget but in my experience what I've also seen doctors/nurses who have no empathy to patients, which is beyond politics but pure humanity. - "first, do no harm."

Edited by ooid on Sunday 15th December 01:15

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
quotequote all
bristolbaron said:
My grandad spend the night on a bed in a hospital corridor last night after a fall. No rooms available and no bell so family stayed with him throughout the night for when he needed attending.
In general though, the NHS have been superb with him, he’s been in and out over the last 3 years due to lymphoma and is well looked after.
I had a 6 day stay earlier in the year due to colon removal and again the staff can’t be faulted. The only upside to private care would’ve been better food options, but that was easily sorted through family visits!
I do fear for the future of the NHS though, the bills we’d both have received without it probably would’ve taken the whole family down!
Hope you are having a good recovery. The food is definately better with private though !
I've had a few procedures recently, all done under private healthcare, and been cc'd in on the invoices and they are pretty terrifying. Well into the thousands for the smallest operation.

technodup

7,576 posts

129 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
quotequote all
Brainpox said:
You have my sympathies OP but you aren't the only one with a bad experience and there will be more stories like it going forward. It is what happens when something is under-resourced and abused by people who don't need to be there.
The one thing it's not is under-resourced. It's been getting real terms increases since Blair.

It tries to do far too much. It's badly organised and inefficient. It treats people it shouldn't, from health tourists to Saturday night steamers to the very old and futile. It's got plenty of money, often spent in the wrong places.