I still believe in socialised medicine, that is, healthcare available to all depending on need, not ability to pay. But over the past few years, being a patient in the NHS, dealing with the way the system operates has really worn me down. Ironically, I've also been working for the NHS throughout that entire period until recently, and know that it the NHS doesn't mean to be abusive to its patients, but is systemically poor.
I have a relatively rare medical condition. It is non-fatal, but certainly non-trivial as regards my quality of life. I have not been able to receive the medical treatment I want, and when I have asked them why I could not have a certain treatment, they have reacted in a dismissive manner, making me aware that it is they who decide my treatment. Though I have previously paid for private treatment not available on the NHS for my condition to which they did not react badly, I have suggested that suggested that I might pay for two other treatments that are available through the NHS (though not currently forthcoming) to which the have been nothing but obfuscative.
Previously, I had lost faith in both the GP system, and dentistry, as they deliver poor results. But today I realised that none of the three doctors currently treating me have worked with my condition for more than six months to now, and they still cite factually incorrect information despite my attempts to inform them. I had an argument today concerning a drug and its legality/availability. It began with my doctor claiming that it simply did not exist, and ended with her saying that 'it's not policy to prescribe it'. Why was it not policy? Because it needs to be self-injected, and the risks are too high. Word, I think I need to be sedated.
Sorry for the rant. Member of the Anti-Fabulousness League since 1987.
It's wrong to see anyone have to struggle through/with the system like that.
I'm hoping that in the rest of the UK the equality duties will start to have the same impact that they have in Ireland - public services are contracted out less and less to private sector organisations because they are not compliant with the duties. So more control and co-ordination remains with the public authorities.
I hope you make some headway soon. Ad astra per aspera
I'm kinda of the thinking that the problem is not enough in the way of provide/decider distinction, and the NHS just doesn't offer a way out of the problem. It always feels to me as though once you step into the GP's office with your symptoms, your choice is limited to either accepting or declining treatment, and little else.
I think that I'm of the generation which is going to find getting on with the current way of working to be very difficult. Member of the Anti-Fabulousness League since 1987.
I'm unfortunately starting university in six months time, so there's no going anywhere for the next few years.
How's healthcare in Slovenia? I've always fancied that country, as it's got everything in a neat little package. Member of the Anti-Fabulousness League since 1987.
there are no simple solutions, each worker in the system is as much a perpetrator as they are a victim and the service they provide is the result of the many little screw ups each of them perpetuates in the system. You only have to listen to nurses chatting as you wait for treatment to see how much they care and how much they just don't get they're responsible too.
I doubt the system can be reformed; no single person would have the authority who could spare the time to analyse what's happening and determine how to fix it. No Government would risk the threat of a failure of their initiative, so we have the gradual failure from lack of internal maintenance.
No wonder the government is privatising as fast as possible, they think they can fob off responsibility through a contract. But just like the railways the electorate will always blame them even if they cede complete control.
Jerome is right : Move to France. keep to the Fen Causeway
