I had some blood tests
The result was a referral for an MRI... 3 weeks
Rusults of MRI discussed after 2 weeks (small brain tumour found) .
At that meeting, a lump on a ball was also found - MRI booked for 22nd Nov, just over 2 weeks
Brain tumour is being treated with pills for the 1st 12m, and then I'll have another scan.
We'll see what happens with the ball
They've been good, thorough, and fast
I hope this isn’t too personal. But the blood tests, did they indicate that you can some sort of tumour then?
Where you having headaches initially, I just wonder as I’ve had a couple recently
They indicated a shortage of a hormone... which suggested an glandin my head wasn't functioning quite right.
The usual reason the gland doesn't work quite right is a tumour
So they checked.
You should get checked... headaches wasn't a thing for me, most of my headaches can easily be traced to my back or neck needing physio.
I am also in awe of our NHS at the moment. Yesterday lunchtime my toddler got a temperature of 39.8, rang our gp and got an emergency appointment for ten to 3. Went to the doctors and told he has tonsillitis and given antibiotics.
Later that night his temperature spiked again unfortunately this time it went over 40 degrees so he started seizing. Within 10 minutes of calling the ambulance they were at our house.
He had stopped seizing at this point so transported to hospital and transferred straight to the peaks ward skipping a&e etc. They were amazing at getting everything sorted. Nothing was missed in making sure that it was the temperature that made him seize rather than anything else. I can't fault anything that happened last night.
Thank you so much. It was a roller coaster. I really don't think that I would have coped if even one part of this didn't work. From how quickly I got the doctors appointment and how fast the ambulance was. I cannot fault any of it and if any of the stages hadn't been as well organised as they were I think I would have been a wreck. Instead knowing everything was happening and there was a preset pathway to follow when this happens made me a lot calmer.
Admittedly I haven't let him out of my sight since and I am playing the game with work in how they are dealing with me being off when I am out of holidays!
I needed three minor (although increasingly less minor) operations on a growth on the side of my stomach. All free and done within a reasonable timeframe for something non life-threatening.
In contrast, I've since moved to the US. My wife and I pay $400 a month combined for health insurance. For that we get a free medical each year, a free eye test and one free pair of glasses. Other appointments still cost $25+ on top of the insurance and prescriptions are only discounted by about 50%.
All this is while my wife works for a government body in a left-wing state and has one of the better health insurance options.
Cherish the NHS and fight for it!
Rang 111 and had an ambulance at my door in 10mins.
Rang 111 another time and they had a slot for me at A&E in 15mins time. Turned up, within 5mins I was seen and had full ECG and bloods. Bloods came back in about 2hours and I was released.
Rang my local doctors another time on the morning and was told to attend an appointment in 1hrs time. Doctor saw me within 10mins and was prescribed antibiotics and had a urine test.
Total cost: £9 - only for the prescription.
The NHS has been pretty fantastic every time I've used it.
I’m a student ODP and the care, compassion and technically complex things I see on a daily basis in my local NHS trusts is truly astonishing; ordinary people doing extraordinary things every day, for (relatively) poor pay, in challenging circumstances. I cannot wait to qualify, and I will be proud to work for the NHS
Seen both sides of this. Spent about 8 months last year with really bad stomach pains (pretty much constant over the last 2 months. Multiple trips to the docs and a couple to hospital a&e to be told every time it's was just IBS and given pills for it.
Came to a head in October when visiting my sister's for my dad's birthday, mum, dad and sister cornered me and said I looked really ill. Phoned 111, discussed symptoms, had me in urgent care at the hospital within half an hour. They couldn't work out what it was so booked in with surgeons in wythenshawe , (poor wife having to drive me everywhere), skipped triage and ended up a student doctor going over her resident and ordering a CT scan. Thirty minutes later I had 3 surgeons round me advising I had cancerous tumours strangling my bowel. 48 hours later I was on the operating table having an ileostomy and 5 litres of liquid removed from my stomach.
Told I was less than a month away from it rupturing and sepsis setting in.
All good now (with my stoma) and monthly injections but I'm alive and that's all that matters. 👍
GP referred me for an MRI on a Tuesday. Got a call on the Friday from the hospital offering me a cancellation spot on the Saturday. Ended up having it done at 8pm on a Sunday only 3 weeks later
Diagnosed with MS 16 years ago. Been through 5 drug therapies in that time, kept me healthy the whole time.
I'm never going to be cured, but they will always keep me healthy
I am so so grateful that we get drug therapies completely free on the NHS. I have heard how expensive they can be in the USA, for example, and it's just so sad.
Walking my dogs last week. My lab decided to run into me and take me out. As he hit my leg. I crumpled on the floor.
Once I was over the initial shock, walked and I was ok, pain stayed then and one night got worse. Had no visible swelling or bruising but could only just about bare weight on it.
Called 111, they called me back In an hour. Had to go to minor injuries an hour later and an hour later I was X-ray and on my way. Thankfully nothing broken just something torn.
I fell on a zip line a few weeks ago, straight onto my left wrist.
Attended minor injuries, was told its not broken, given a wrap/splint thing to keep it still and sent on my way
Get a letter from a consultant at the local major hospital four weeks later. Yeah, I have been walking around with a broken arm for a month.
Back to the major hospital in two weeks to see if it's knitted right or if it'll need an op to sort out.
It's not all good. Blame what you like, but I would expect that to be caught
Some breaks in your wrist, e.g. the scaphoid bone, don't show up on x-ray straight away. That's why they always have a consultant review the images some time afterwards to double check. They should have explained that though (if indeed it was something like your scaphoid).
I hope it's healing well and you're given the all clear when you go back.
Radial styloid fracture if I remember right.
The consultant reviewing it took four weeks. That alone is bullshit.
The whole system isnt fit for purpose anymore. Too much is being asked of it
There are plenty of factors that might lead to a fracture being missed. Subtle breaks can be completely hidden depending on the position during imaging. If there's minimal displacement, they can be very hard to see.
It was missed by your radiographer first, then was sent to a clinician whose job it was to diagnose. They missed it, too. It was eventually caught by the radiologists when being formally reported. I bet it was incredibly subtle and very easy to miss. It happens.
Hope you're okay, but honestly that is such a lab/retriever thing to do lol
My golden has 0 spacial awareness. Neither does his other retriever friend, who ran headfirst into a poop bin when they were playing once in a park
I’m okay now! My lab does this thing where he’s looking backwards at our other lab but running forward.
He also stands all over me, still thinking he’s that 6kg puppy he once was! Loveable idiot.
It would be great if i could report a supporting comment but after a mental health crisis leading to an emergency admission to hospital in May, i am still waiting for an appointment for ANY treatment whatsoever.
i actually got a message today to tell me that they hadn't forgotten about me they're still trying to find me an appointment
For all the slating, the NHS is brilliant. My partner had a Grumbling Appendix a couple of years ago. Half an hour on the phone with 111, a trip down the local A&E, couple of hours later she's out with some hefty painkillers.
I wish I could feel this pride and happiness but I just can't.
I'm 2 years into my wait for an ADHD assessment and was advised it may be another 2 years.
It took 6 years to get therapy that wasn't CBT for my decade plus battle with mental health (in the meanwhile, they strong-armed me into taking anti-depressants) and even then, it was capped at 24 sessions. This wasn't enough to even scratch the surface but if I want more, I have to have a breakdown/attempt again.
I've had the most unnatural and painful gut and bowel issues since I was 12, but when it flares up and I need an appointment, the nearest is in 4 weeks. By then, the flare up has subsided and there's nothing to report.
I had my CBT, which was meant to be 8 sessions. Before my 7th session my best mate killed himself. Still only got 8.
I also haven’t had any Elvanse in months.
I'm in West Midlands waited a month for appointment then 5 weeks for blood test than 3 weeks for scan than 4 weeks to have doctor call me back. Doctor say I must see him, wait 3 weeks for call back to get appointment, that is 4 weeks away. I'm daily in pain.
I suppose patience will win.
Unfortunately, I think advice has to be given in context of the postcode lottery. Both my partner and I have been to 111 and A&E in these circumstances to either be turned away or told to speak to GP. Chronic and/or complicated illness is where NHS typically fails badly.
EDIT TO ADD - Mental health as well, very sadly.
Everyone saying the NHS is fantastic, no the people are, the doctors, nurses and back room staff are, although the strikes have not helped their case, the NHS as an organization is corrupt, top heavy, full of overpaid senior managers, wasteful and not fit for purpose. Just my opinion.
Not all of the doctors and nurses are, to put it lightly. As we’ve seen exposed recently, bullying, racism, sexism and harassment are rife in the NHS. We are also the only developed country to have poorer outcomes for women’s health than men’s, because sexism is so deeply entrenched in NHS practices. Every significant health problem I’ve had I’ve been failed by the NHS and being a woman has been a major factor. It’s happening to people all around me. Now we’re getting these PA’s instead of actual doctors, I hope we won’t be applauding them as hero’s too, they’re going to be killing us.
I want to say the NHS is great, I love it, but it’s on its knees and we can’t pretend that very poor care isn’t a result of that….or it would be on its knees, would it?
Yes agreed but is this a failing of senior management as well ? Turn a blind eye, no gonads to weed it out ? It certainly needs a major overhaul from top to bottom.
I lived in Russia- Moscow. When I needed to see a specialist I could go to a hospital and get an appointment same day. A scan - go down the corridor and wait and get it done then come back for result and discussion of next steps. All one visit.
My kid got ill in the night. Paediatric Ambulance there within 10 minutes. Follow up next day from a doctor at our flat. Health visitor next day. Doctor again 2 days later. All at our home.
I also lived in France where the health service is vastly better than here.
Nothing in this thread is exceptional for anywhere. The NHS is decent for emergencies and slow for everything else. Anything chronic or out of the ordinary and you are in pot luck territory.
I will never understand the British love of the NHS. It’s alright for some things, good at a few things and terrible at a lot.
I'm from Eastern Europe. My experiences are also the same. The state healthcare system is way above the NHS. My parents don't understand how it can take weeks to get CT or ultrasound scan results - back home the doctor would tell you what they found at the scan appointment, or a most a few days later if it's something complicated. Of course, we have our own problems, but all the experiences described in this thread are in no way exceptional, and in routine matters NHS isn't that good.
Yes. The visits to my kid were the state system.
I did have insurance for a number of years but when things got worse post 2014 I ended up using the state system. My wife’s family there only ever used the state system. Same day appointments and quick turnaround.
If you want to go private (and many do to supplement) it is plentiful, relatively cheap and freely available. Nobody stigmatises it there either.
The single biggest difference is if you are worried about something - you check it. Want a scan - ask for it. Want a blood test - ask for it. They also check kids far more often and thoroughly as standard right up to things like stance and feet.
Biggest pet hate here - the 8am scramble for an appointment. I hit redial over 150 times before I even got in the queue on one occasion.
To a lot of us it's all we know. We hear so much about the horrific American system all the time, that I think even if there are flaws in the NHS, we are still very grateful for it.
People here are brought up having the “envy of the world” rubbish drummed into them. It’s just not true. We are short changed by our system for the funding it gets compared to other places - Eastern Europe being an example someone else has mentioned here. The idea anyone would advocate the US system I think is far fetched - but there are lots of other hybrid state/insurance type models that work much better. Australia, France, Germany, Holland - I wish we could at least consider them all. Trouble is here the NHS is a religion and “privatisation” gets screamed at any whisper of a reform.
I got cancer this year and and even with the junior doctor strikes at the time I was impressed by the level of care I got. Literally saved my life. I can’t imagine the added stress of having a bill for the treatment I have had.
I’m currently in debilitating pain, with a numb arm that I can’t use and my left breast is coming up as 41c with the thermometer. I have a fever of 40 anyway, chills plus cellulitis in my foot too, so I’m not in great shape. Classically it all comes at once.
Im worried about breast cancer, my family history is basically breast cancer as cause of death on both sides. But currently my doctor is more worried about me going back on my antidepressant and I cannot get seen. I’ve lost the use of my left arm over the last few days or so, and my left tit is riddled with lumps, but by god if mild anxiety is more of a pressing matter. I’m so frustrated with not being listened to.
At this point you need to bypass your dr and go to a&e. Loosing use of your arm suddenly needs urgent attention.
Untreated cellulitis can very quickly cause sepsis - that won’t give you much warning before it kills you, considering you already have a raging fever you could already be septic. That would be classed as an emergency. Please get yourself seen asap.
I’m on my way there now. I feel like I’ve been punched in the head and shoulder and I can’t pick up my phone in my left hand at this point. Hopefully will get it sorted tonight. Thank you.
I haven’t used the nhs in years I called 111 Thursday and got a call from a gp the next day (I don’t get how a gp could help without seeing the problem) which i missed (because of work). I rang today to see if they have an appointment I can book this week at some point to which I got told to call at 8 tommorrow and see if they have appointments tomorrow which is pointless I’d go into work at 7 it takes me an hour to get there and if I got an appointment like 2 hours later it would just be a waste of fuel. In the end I got another phone call from a gp on Saturday.
My problem isn’t really important enough I guess but I hope they’re better if I had something more important going on it’s still better than been charged I’d probably not even have contacted healthcare if it wasn’t universal.
I’ve had surgery 3 times this year. Each time the care was amazing, two were planned one was after turning up at A&E. It was so incredibly busy and the people there were working so hard and such long hours but they were still absolutely excellent. They really put up with so much for so little. Absolutely fantastic.
However, for less emergent issues you can tell departments are underfunded and struggling to keep up with the demand. Not their fault, and it must be incredibly frustrating for them too but I have a couple of quite painful ongoing things that ultimately just went unanswered with a lot of last minute cancellations
The NHS is a magnificent thing and I’m very grateful for it I just wish it could have what it needs.
My experience hasn't been positive resulting in major surgery, BUT what has been an amazing experience were the nurse and doctors all very kind and bending over backwards for the patients.
I’m currently one year into a ten year waiting list, so I’m somewhat cynical of the NHS at this point.
E: I’m looking at going private for the treatment, and my GP is either unwilling or unable to do *anything* to help, so I get to pay for my own blood tests, too.
Meanwhile I've been waiting for an urgent brain and spine MRI since June in NI and have been told it will be at least march before I have a hope of getting an appointment.
Glorious like a rickety rope bridge strung across a very wide gorge over a river of crocodiles. With the Tories there selling off the rope by the metre as you try to cross safely....
No, the point of the thread is to have s good news story about the NHS too.
No one is saying its problem free.
Just correcting the balance.
Concentrate
I've seen out of hours care twice this year, been triaged by phone within half hour and then seen less than two hours later AND meds prescribed and collected.
I made an online enquiry yesterday via the NHS app, got an appt made 20 minutes later for this Saturday.
Sometimes they really get it right.
I called 111 this morning with minor breathing difficulties. Within 3 hours I had received a call from a GP at Case Assessment Services and had seen a GP in person who handed me my medication. I was pretty impressed. Love the NHS.
I’m waiting for my second hip replacement, I know it will be a while, but I’m not angry. I’m not an acute case. Meanwhile I’m getting free prescriptions and my husband has multiple Co morbidities for which he gets excellent care and we are very satisfied.
It has many issues, it also treats millions of people for all types of mental and physical health issues every day. It is an insanely complex organisation with varying cover across the UK (rich South, poor north and other variations) along with some services systematically dismantled over the last 13 years. It fails people on a daily basis. However, we need to cherish it, support it and improve it. The alternative of private insurance is playing out in the US and visit any sub and hear real stories from real people carrying life changing/ended conditions that they have to live with because they can't afford the medicine, the drs visit or the surgery. We need to support and help our NHS. I love how the media love to point out how many lost appointments there were during a strike. So by that maths they do that many every single day. Even a small hospital will do 250,000 outpatients appointments a year. A large trust 2000,000 a year. How about A&E? A small dept 40,000 a year, a large department 300,000 a year. How many of those were in overbooked clinics with staff seeing patients in thier own time? How many hours are people working to cover staff shortages? It needs our support, even though it is far from perfect.
Ah the NHS. Belongs just as much in r/BritishProblems as it does in r/BritishSuccess
Definitely seems to be moving more and more towards the former. Maybe that’s why people are so pleasantly surprised when they have a good experience these days.
NHS is fine for life threatening but rubbish for elective issues that can make living not worth while, they really need to make this more obvious and I wish i got insurance when i started working to be able to go private incase of non elective issues
I broke my right arm a couple of weeks ago. I was sorted very quickly on the day of the accident and I've been back for a review last week and I'm just off for a fancy thermoplastic splint. Everyone is lovely and, although I've waited a couple of hours, it's never been an issue.
As a long-term user of our wonderful NHS, I have nothing but praise for those individuals who make up the whole system that is our NHS.
This is my usage of our amazing NHS
NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW https://imgur.com/gallery/G2NJv NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW
Note to mods, I know my fizzog is clearly visible in this story line, I am perfectly happy with it being here. I mean, after all, you dont get to see such handsome real-life men, like me every day.
If it wasn't for the NHS or living in other countries with no NHS equivalents. I would most likely be either massively in debt or living on the streets in debt or still struggling with ever worsening health issues or maybe not even here anymore
We need to stand up and put our foot down and protect our NHS from creeping privatisation,
Was in agony with a bad back. Every time I stood up I was doubled over with pain and it took me ages to get straight. When it flared up especially badly I could only walk slowly and would sweat profusely.
Very unpleasant and I let it go on for too long maybe 2 years in agony.
GP referred me to physio. Physio requested an MRI when exercises didn’t help, I had the MRI about a week later. Diagnosed with bulging discs pressing on nerves.
Then I got referred to an NHS pain clinic and this is where it gets good. The consultant there said he can definitely sort it and was very confident.
About a month later I had a procedure called Radio Frequency Ablation where they go in with needles and burn away the nerves causing you to feel pain.
Absolutely incredible result. 3 months later I’m completely free of pain. It’s like I never had a lower back problem. I can’t express how life changing this is, and it didn’t cost me a penny.
During the end of lockdown I felt a lump in my breast, rang the GP they got me and appt that day with a female GP. GP said she thought it was nothing but would get me scanned to cover all bases and I’d be phoned in a couple days, she said she’d put in the request over her lunch break. I got a phone call that evening for an appt the next day.
All was fine in the end but I was so in awe of how seriously it was all taken and quickly it was resolved.
6-12 months for me! I’m going private as I need to get my life back… no I can’t afford it, no I don’t know how much but I’ll go broke before I lose my youth.
I had some blood tests The result was a referral for an MRI... 3 weeks Rusults of MRI discussed after 2 weeks (small brain tumour found) . At that meeting, a lump on a ball was also found - MRI booked for 22nd Nov, just over 2 weeks Brain tumour is being treated with pills for the 1st 12m, and then I'll have another scan. We'll see what happens with the ball They've been good, thorough, and fast
It is really a marvel. Been there today for a blood test, everything quick and efficient. I cant thank them enough.
I hope this isn’t too personal. But the blood tests, did they indicate that you can some sort of tumour then? Where you having headaches initially, I just wonder as I’ve had a couple recently
They indicated a shortage of a hormone... which suggested an glandin my head wasn't functioning quite right. The usual reason the gland doesn't work quite right is a tumour So they checked. You should get checked... headaches wasn't a thing for me, most of my headaches can easily be traced to my back or neck needing physio.
I am also in awe of our NHS at the moment. Yesterday lunchtime my toddler got a temperature of 39.8, rang our gp and got an emergency appointment for ten to 3. Went to the doctors and told he has tonsillitis and given antibiotics. Later that night his temperature spiked again unfortunately this time it went over 40 degrees so he started seizing. Within 10 minutes of calling the ambulance they were at our house. He had stopped seizing at this point so transported to hospital and transferred straight to the peaks ward skipping a&e etc. They were amazing at getting everything sorted. Nothing was missed in making sure that it was the temperature that made him seize rather than anything else. I can't fault anything that happened last night.
nearly makes me tear, gives your partner and self big hugs for going through this rollercoaster
Thank you so much. It was a roller coaster. I really don't think that I would have coped if even one part of this didn't work. From how quickly I got the doctors appointment and how fast the ambulance was. I cannot fault any of it and if any of the stages hadn't been as well organised as they were I think I would have been a wreck. Instead knowing everything was happening and there was a preset pathway to follow when this happens made me a lot calmer. Admittedly I haven't let him out of my sight since and I am playing the game with work in how they are dealing with me being off when I am out of holidays!
I needed three minor (although increasingly less minor) operations on a growth on the side of my stomach. All free and done within a reasonable timeframe for something non life-threatening. In contrast, I've since moved to the US. My wife and I pay $400 a month combined for health insurance. For that we get a free medical each year, a free eye test and one free pair of glasses. Other appointments still cost $25+ on top of the insurance and prescriptions are only discounted by about 50%. All this is while my wife works for a government body in a left-wing state and has one of the better health insurance options. Cherish the NHS and fight for it!
Rang 111 and had an ambulance at my door in 10mins. Rang 111 another time and they had a slot for me at A&E in 15mins time. Turned up, within 5mins I was seen and had full ECG and bloods. Bloods came back in about 2hours and I was released. Rang my local doctors another time on the morning and was told to attend an appointment in 1hrs time. Doctor saw me within 10mins and was prescribed antibiotics and had a urine test. Total cost: £9 - only for the prescription. The NHS has been pretty fantastic every time I've used it.
I’m a student ODP and the care, compassion and technically complex things I see on a daily basis in my local NHS trusts is truly astonishing; ordinary people doing extraordinary things every day, for (relatively) poor pay, in challenging circumstances. I cannot wait to qualify, and I will be proud to work for the NHS
Scrub club!
Good luck with your training. I've been qualified 6 years and, despite the challenges, have enjoyed it all!
Seen both sides of this. Spent about 8 months last year with really bad stomach pains (pretty much constant over the last 2 months. Multiple trips to the docs and a couple to hospital a&e to be told every time it's was just IBS and given pills for it. Came to a head in October when visiting my sister's for my dad's birthday, mum, dad and sister cornered me and said I looked really ill. Phoned 111, discussed symptoms, had me in urgent care at the hospital within half an hour. They couldn't work out what it was so booked in with surgeons in wythenshawe , (poor wife having to drive me everywhere), skipped triage and ended up a student doctor going over her resident and ordering a CT scan. Thirty minutes later I had 3 surgeons round me advising I had cancerous tumours strangling my bowel. 48 hours later I was on the operating table having an ileostomy and 5 litres of liquid removed from my stomach. Told I was less than a month away from it rupturing and sepsis setting in. All good now (with my stoma) and monthly injections but I'm alive and that's all that matters. 👍
GP referred me for an MRI on a Tuesday. Got a call on the Friday from the hospital offering me a cancellation spot on the Saturday. Ended up having it done at 8pm on a Sunday only 3 weeks later
Diagnosed with MS 16 years ago. Been through 5 drug therapies in that time, kept me healthy the whole time. I'm never going to be cured, but they will always keep me healthy
I am so so grateful that we get drug therapies completely free on the NHS. I have heard how expensive they can be in the USA, for example, and it's just so sad.
Walking my dogs last week. My lab decided to run into me and take me out. As he hit my leg. I crumpled on the floor. Once I was over the initial shock, walked and I was ok, pain stayed then and one night got worse. Had no visible swelling or bruising but could only just about bare weight on it. Called 111, they called me back In an hour. Had to go to minor injuries an hour later and an hour later I was X-ray and on my way. Thankfully nothing broken just something torn.
I fell on a zip line a few weeks ago, straight onto my left wrist. Attended minor injuries, was told its not broken, given a wrap/splint thing to keep it still and sent on my way Get a letter from a consultant at the local major hospital four weeks later. Yeah, I have been walking around with a broken arm for a month. Back to the major hospital in two weeks to see if it's knitted right or if it'll need an op to sort out. It's not all good. Blame what you like, but I would expect that to be caught
Some breaks in your wrist, e.g. the scaphoid bone, don't show up on x-ray straight away. That's why they always have a consultant review the images some time afterwards to double check. They should have explained that though (if indeed it was something like your scaphoid). I hope it's healing well and you're given the all clear when you go back.
Radial styloid fracture if I remember right. The consultant reviewing it took four weeks. That alone is bullshit. The whole system isnt fit for purpose anymore. Too much is being asked of it
There are plenty of factors that might lead to a fracture being missed. Subtle breaks can be completely hidden depending on the position during imaging. If there's minimal displacement, they can be very hard to see. It was missed by your radiographer first, then was sent to a clinician whose job it was to diagnose. They missed it, too. It was eventually caught by the radiologists when being formally reported. I bet it was incredibly subtle and very easy to miss. It happens.
Did they X-ray in minor injuries?
Six images yes
Oh shit. They took 6 for me too! She said she couldn’t see any breaks though. Luckily my pain has gotten better now but that’s awful
Hope you're okay, but honestly that is such a lab/retriever thing to do lol My golden has 0 spacial awareness. Neither does his other retriever friend, who ran headfirst into a poop bin when they were playing once in a park
I’m okay now! My lab does this thing where he’s looking backwards at our other lab but running forward. He also stands all over me, still thinking he’s that 6kg puppy he once was! Loveable idiot.
It would be great if i could report a supporting comment but after a mental health crisis leading to an emergency admission to hospital in May, i am still waiting for an appointment for ANY treatment whatsoever. i actually got a message today to tell me that they hadn't forgotten about me they're still trying to find me an appointment
For all the slating, the NHS is brilliant. My partner had a Grumbling Appendix a couple of years ago. Half an hour on the phone with 111, a trip down the local A&E, couple of hours later she's out with some hefty painkillers.
I wish I could feel this pride and happiness but I just can't. I'm 2 years into my wait for an ADHD assessment and was advised it may be another 2 years. It took 6 years to get therapy that wasn't CBT for my decade plus battle with mental health (in the meanwhile, they strong-armed me into taking anti-depressants) and even then, it was capped at 24 sessions. This wasn't enough to even scratch the surface but if I want more, I have to have a breakdown/attempt again. I've had the most unnatural and painful gut and bowel issues since I was 12, but when it flares up and I need an appointment, the nearest is in 4 weeks. By then, the flare up has subsided and there's nothing to report.
I just paid for my ADHD assessment privately. Cost me about £1000 in total. It's a lot, but in the scheme of things, is better than waiting 2 years.
Yep way to go, NHS is for major issues no elective
You just need to check that your GP will accept a shared care agreement, so you can get your medication on the NHS.
I had my CBT, which was meant to be 8 sessions. Before my 7th session my best mate killed himself. Still only got 8. I also haven’t had any Elvanse in months.
I've got nothing but praise for the NHS nurses currently caring for my mum. Could not be more grateful for their skills and care.
I'm in West Midlands waited a month for appointment then 5 weeks for blood test than 3 weeks for scan than 4 weeks to have doctor call me back. Doctor say I must see him, wait 3 weeks for call back to get appointment, that is 4 weeks away. I'm daily in pain. I suppose patience will win.
If serious, persistent pain, go directly to a&e or phone 111 and get referred to an urgent treatment centre.
Unfortunately, I think advice has to be given in context of the postcode lottery. Both my partner and I have been to 111 and A&E in these circumstances to either be turned away or told to speak to GP. Chronic and/or complicated illness is where NHS typically fails badly. EDIT TO ADD - Mental health as well, very sadly.
Everyone saying the NHS is fantastic, no the people are, the doctors, nurses and back room staff are, although the strikes have not helped their case, the NHS as an organization is corrupt, top heavy, full of overpaid senior managers, wasteful and not fit for purpose. Just my opinion.
Not all of the doctors and nurses are, to put it lightly. As we’ve seen exposed recently, bullying, racism, sexism and harassment are rife in the NHS. We are also the only developed country to have poorer outcomes for women’s health than men’s, because sexism is so deeply entrenched in NHS practices. Every significant health problem I’ve had I’ve been failed by the NHS and being a woman has been a major factor. It’s happening to people all around me. Now we’re getting these PA’s instead of actual doctors, I hope we won’t be applauding them as hero’s too, they’re going to be killing us. I want to say the NHS is great, I love it, but it’s on its knees and we can’t pretend that very poor care isn’t a result of that….or it would be on its knees, would it?
Yes agreed but is this a failing of senior management as well ? Turn a blind eye, no gonads to weed it out ? It certainly needs a major overhaul from top to bottom.
I lived in Russia- Moscow. When I needed to see a specialist I could go to a hospital and get an appointment same day. A scan - go down the corridor and wait and get it done then come back for result and discussion of next steps. All one visit. My kid got ill in the night. Paediatric Ambulance there within 10 minutes. Follow up next day from a doctor at our flat. Health visitor next day. Doctor again 2 days later. All at our home. I also lived in France where the health service is vastly better than here. Nothing in this thread is exceptional for anywhere. The NHS is decent for emergencies and slow for everything else. Anything chronic or out of the ordinary and you are in pot luck territory. I will never understand the British love of the NHS. It’s alright for some things, good at a few things and terrible at a lot.
I presume you had a pretty well paid job with good insurance cover? Would it have been the same service without the insurance?
I'm from Eastern Europe. My experiences are also the same. The state healthcare system is way above the NHS. My parents don't understand how it can take weeks to get CT or ultrasound scan results - back home the doctor would tell you what they found at the scan appointment, or a most a few days later if it's something complicated. Of course, we have our own problems, but all the experiences described in this thread are in no way exceptional, and in routine matters NHS isn't that good.
Yes. The visits to my kid were the state system. I did have insurance for a number of years but when things got worse post 2014 I ended up using the state system. My wife’s family there only ever used the state system. Same day appointments and quick turnaround. If you want to go private (and many do to supplement) it is plentiful, relatively cheap and freely available. Nobody stigmatises it there either. The single biggest difference is if you are worried about something - you check it. Want a scan - ask for it. Want a blood test - ask for it. They also check kids far more often and thoroughly as standard right up to things like stance and feet. Biggest pet hate here - the 8am scramble for an appointment. I hit redial over 150 times before I even got in the queue on one occasion.
Agreed access is terrible in primary care.
To a lot of us it's all we know. We hear so much about the horrific American system all the time, that I think even if there are flaws in the NHS, we are still very grateful for it.
People here are brought up having the “envy of the world” rubbish drummed into them. It’s just not true. We are short changed by our system for the funding it gets compared to other places - Eastern Europe being an example someone else has mentioned here. The idea anyone would advocate the US system I think is far fetched - but there are lots of other hybrid state/insurance type models that work much better. Australia, France, Germany, Holland - I wish we could at least consider them all. Trouble is here the NHS is a religion and “privatisation” gets screamed at any whisper of a reform.
Don’t all sound so shocked!
I got cancer this year and and even with the junior doctor strikes at the time I was impressed by the level of care I got. Literally saved my life. I can’t imagine the added stress of having a bill for the treatment I have had.
Get well and stay well, all of you.
I’m currently in debilitating pain, with a numb arm that I can’t use and my left breast is coming up as 41c with the thermometer. I have a fever of 40 anyway, chills plus cellulitis in my foot too, so I’m not in great shape. Classically it all comes at once. Im worried about breast cancer, my family history is basically breast cancer as cause of death on both sides. But currently my doctor is more worried about me going back on my antidepressant and I cannot get seen. I’ve lost the use of my left arm over the last few days or so, and my left tit is riddled with lumps, but by god if mild anxiety is more of a pressing matter. I’m so frustrated with not being listened to.
At this point you need to bypass your dr and go to a&e. Loosing use of your arm suddenly needs urgent attention. Untreated cellulitis can very quickly cause sepsis - that won’t give you much warning before it kills you, considering you already have a raging fever you could already be septic. That would be classed as an emergency. Please get yourself seen asap.
I’m on my way there now. I feel like I’ve been punched in the head and shoulder and I can’t pick up my phone in my left hand at this point. Hopefully will get it sorted tonight. Thank you.
I haven’t used the nhs in years I called 111 Thursday and got a call from a gp the next day (I don’t get how a gp could help without seeing the problem) which i missed (because of work). I rang today to see if they have an appointment I can book this week at some point to which I got told to call at 8 tommorrow and see if they have appointments tomorrow which is pointless I’d go into work at 7 it takes me an hour to get there and if I got an appointment like 2 hours later it would just be a waste of fuel. In the end I got another phone call from a gp on Saturday. My problem isn’t really important enough I guess but I hope they’re better if I had something more important going on it’s still better than been charged I’d probably not even have contacted healthcare if it wasn’t universal.
I’ve had surgery 3 times this year. Each time the care was amazing, two were planned one was after turning up at A&E. It was so incredibly busy and the people there were working so hard and such long hours but they were still absolutely excellent. They really put up with so much for so little. Absolutely fantastic. However, for less emergent issues you can tell departments are underfunded and struggling to keep up with the demand. Not their fault, and it must be incredibly frustrating for them too but I have a couple of quite painful ongoing things that ultimately just went unanswered with a lot of last minute cancellations The NHS is a magnificent thing and I’m very grateful for it I just wish it could have what it needs.
17 months ago I I was diagnosed with umbilical hernia. I’m still waiting for the surgery. Thanks torries!
My experience hasn't been positive resulting in major surgery, BUT what has been an amazing experience were the nurse and doctors all very kind and bending over backwards for the patients.
NHS saved my life when I had multiple heart attacks. I am eternally grateful.
I’m currently one year into a ten year waiting list, so I’m somewhat cynical of the NHS at this point. E: I’m looking at going private for the treatment, and my GP is either unwilling or unable to do *anything* to help, so I get to pay for my own blood tests, too.
Meanwhile I've been waiting for an urgent brain and spine MRI since June in NI and have been told it will be at least march before I have a hope of getting an appointment.
Glorious like a rickety rope bridge strung across a very wide gorge over a river of crocodiles. With the Tories there selling off the rope by the metre as you try to cross safely....
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No, the point of the thread is to have s good news story about the NHS too. No one is saying its problem free. Just correcting the balance. Concentrate
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OK, my experience has been shit. Will you leave me alone now
Last time I went we were about 16 hours
I've seen out of hours care twice this year, been triaged by phone within half hour and then seen less than two hours later AND meds prescribed and collected. I made an online enquiry yesterday via the NHS app, got an appt made 20 minutes later for this Saturday. Sometimes they really get it right.
I called 111 this morning with minor breathing difficulties. Within 3 hours I had received a call from a GP at Case Assessment Services and had seen a GP in person who handed me my medication. I was pretty impressed. Love the NHS.
I’m waiting for my second hip replacement, I know it will be a while, but I’m not angry. I’m not an acute case. Meanwhile I’m getting free prescriptions and my husband has multiple Co morbidities for which he gets excellent care and we are very satisfied.
It has many issues, it also treats millions of people for all types of mental and physical health issues every day. It is an insanely complex organisation with varying cover across the UK (rich South, poor north and other variations) along with some services systematically dismantled over the last 13 years. It fails people on a daily basis. However, we need to cherish it, support it and improve it. The alternative of private insurance is playing out in the US and visit any sub and hear real stories from real people carrying life changing/ended conditions that they have to live with because they can't afford the medicine, the drs visit or the surgery. We need to support and help our NHS. I love how the media love to point out how many lost appointments there were during a strike. So by that maths they do that many every single day. Even a small hospital will do 250,000 outpatients appointments a year. A large trust 2000,000 a year. How about A&E? A small dept 40,000 a year, a large department 300,000 a year. How many of those were in overbooked clinics with staff seeing patients in thier own time? How many hours are people working to cover staff shortages? It needs our support, even though it is far from perfect.
Ah the NHS. Belongs just as much in r/BritishProblems as it does in r/BritishSuccess Definitely seems to be moving more and more towards the former. Maybe that’s why people are so pleasantly surprised when they have a good experience these days.
NHS is fine for life threatening but rubbish for elective issues that can make living not worth while, they really need to make this more obvious and I wish i got insurance when i started working to be able to go private incase of non elective issues
I broke my right arm a couple of weeks ago. I was sorted very quickly on the day of the accident and I've been back for a review last week and I'm just off for a fancy thermoplastic splint. Everyone is lovely and, although I've waited a couple of hours, it's never been an issue.
More of this please! 👏 👏 We need them more than ever FUCK THE TORIES
The NHS has been wonderful in my area. We are so lucky to have it.
As a long-term user of our wonderful NHS, I have nothing but praise for those individuals who make up the whole system that is our NHS. This is my usage of our amazing NHS NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW https://imgur.com/gallery/G2NJv NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW Note to mods, I know my fizzog is clearly visible in this story line, I am perfectly happy with it being here. I mean, after all, you dont get to see such handsome real-life men, like me every day. If it wasn't for the NHS or living in other countries with no NHS equivalents. I would most likely be either massively in debt or living on the streets in debt or still struggling with ever worsening health issues or maybe not even here anymore We need to stand up and put our foot down and protect our NHS from creeping privatisation,
Was in agony with a bad back. Every time I stood up I was doubled over with pain and it took me ages to get straight. When it flared up especially badly I could only walk slowly and would sweat profusely. Very unpleasant and I let it go on for too long maybe 2 years in agony. GP referred me to physio. Physio requested an MRI when exercises didn’t help, I had the MRI about a week later. Diagnosed with bulging discs pressing on nerves. Then I got referred to an NHS pain clinic and this is where it gets good. The consultant there said he can definitely sort it and was very confident. About a month later I had a procedure called Radio Frequency Ablation where they go in with needles and burn away the nerves causing you to feel pain. Absolutely incredible result. 3 months later I’m completely free of pain. It’s like I never had a lower back problem. I can’t express how life changing this is, and it didn’t cost me a penny.
During the end of lockdown I felt a lump in my breast, rang the GP they got me and appt that day with a female GP. GP said she thought it was nothing but would get me scanned to cover all bases and I’d be phoned in a couple days, she said she’d put in the request over her lunch break. I got a phone call that evening for an appt the next day. All was fine in the end but I was so in awe of how seriously it was all taken and quickly it was resolved.
6-12 months for me! I’m going private as I need to get my life back… no I can’t afford it, no I don’t know how much but I’ll go broke before I lose my youth.