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disappointed by health care

greener

greener

Well-Known Member
Messages
275
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi

I recently dealt with nhs to get a diagnosis. It took them 3 months to book me an appointment and after than another 3 months for a physio test.

Also I was not seen by the specialist but by a resident who didn't have a clue.

This is very disappointing and makes me really worry about the level of care I am paying for.

What do you advise me? Is there a solution? Can I give my nhs contributions to a private health care?

Any solution?
 
3 months to book an appointment, really? I'd have been down the surgery by the end of the first week to complain! Healthcare does vary but if you are not happy I'd say it's down to you to complain. We all have to own our health, I've learnt that pretty darn quick!
 
I'll probably sound like the bad guy here, but with the NHS being overburdened as it is, it's understandable why someone with prediabetes would be lower on the priority list. While that doesn't mean you don't deserve attention and care, it does mean that there are higher priority patients that rely on seeing their healthcare professionals to survive.

Furthermore, I'd like to think that the specialists are reserved for people with more complex situations like those on insulin, those who have developed complications, or those who are permanently disabled.

As far as devoting your NHS contributions to private healthcare...you're basically describing the US healthcare model :)
 
greener said:
Can I give my nhs contributions to a private health care?
Click to expand...

No you can't.

If you feel your wait was unacceptably long you could put a complaint in. However, do remember that the nhs triage patients on waiting lists - so it could be if your condition wasn't medically urgent 12 weeks is a standard wait.
 
greener said:
Hi

I recently dealt with nhs to get a diagnosis. It took them 3 months to book me an appointment and after than another 3 months for a physio test.

Also I was not seen by the specialist but by a resident who didn't have a clue.

This is very disappointing and makes me really worry about the level of care I am paying for.

What do you advise me? Is there a solution? Can I give my nhs contributions to a private health care?

Any solution?
Click to expand...

Whilst I have Scoobie powers, they don't seem to reach Planet Greener or your Doc's surgery so some things I'll make a judgement (or guess) upon. In order of your post here:

"It took them 3 months to book me an appointment and after than another 3 months for a physio test."
I would speculate you were referred, then spent 3 months meandering towards the upper reaches of you Physio Unit waiting list, and were then sent an appointment, another three months ahead.

I can only assume if the requirement for physio had been urgent, in the eyes of the medics, something might have happened faster.

Also I was not seen by the specialist
Specialist in what? Physio? Without knowledge of why physio was required there can be no judgement on whether this warranted a "specialist" opinion.

Can I give my nhs contributions to a private health care?
No. You can't. Assuming you are paying NI contributions, you are mandatorily making a contribution to the NHS. Once you reach a certain maturity, your requirement to make NI contributions stops. Income and other forms of taxation also apply, as you know.

Of course, you are at liberty to top up on the medical care you have by funding private medical insurance. It's not always expensive, but appreciating your expected standards of care and timeliness, you may find it so.
 
Wow! I'm impressed you got an appointment so quickly! 27 years ago I had to wait (in a lot of pain) for 6 months after diagnosis to get a physio appointment. 4 years ago my hubby fell off a ladder and injured his shoulder. He was told he couldn't be referred for physio as it was too costly and was given the name of a private physiotherapist which he would have to pay for himself. Forget my earlier advice on another thread to move house. I would stay where you are. You are getting a better service than in other parts of the country.
 
TorqPenderloin said:
I'll probably sound like the bad guy here, but with the NHS being overburdened as it is, it's understandable why someone with prediabetes would be lower on the priority list. While that doesn't mean you don't deserve attention and care, it does mean that there are higher priority patients that rely on seeing their healthcare professionals to survive.

Furthermore, I'd like to think that the specialists are reserved for people with more complex situations like those on insulin, those who have developed complications, or those who are permanently disabled.

As far as devoting your NHS contributions to private healthcare...you're basically describing the US healthcare model :)
Click to expand...

you assumed wrongly that my problem was diabetes related...
 
greener said:
Hi

I recently dealt with nhs to get a diagnosis. It took them 3 months to book me an appointment and after than another 3 months for a physio test.

Also I was not seen by the specialist but by a resident who didn't have a clue.

This is very disappointing and makes me really worry about the level of care I am paying for.

What do you advise me? Is there a solution? Can I give my nhs contributions to a private health care?

Any solution?
Click to expand...

Your questions re private health care were already addressed here

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/anyone-with-sleep-apnea.91967/
 
greener said:
you assumed wrongly that my problem was diabetes related...
Click to expand...
@greener
you posted your topic in "Ask A Question" sub forum.
the sub forum Ask A Question has the following information as to relevant questions to be posted in this forum

If you have a question relating to your diabetes, managing your diabetes or anything else that is diabetes related, ask the Diabetes Community here.

The person that replied to you has the right to make the assumption based on where you posted and the subsequent lack of information you gave in your topic.
 
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