Longing to get back to the U.S.?

There are good and bad aspects of living anywhere, I am sure (I'm an eternal optimist so I would find SOMETHING anywhere to be happy about) but I can honestly say that I am excited about eventually moving back to the US. I could live here happily I am sure and adjust to the small things that annoy me (because there are small things in the US that annoy too) but the US is definitely home to me.  Even if I didn't feel that way personally I would eventually live in the US because I have lots of family there (including older kids that will sometime have children of their own I am betting).

Vicki

At least if I was hit by something in the States I wouldn't have to worry that if I survived the crash I could get MRSA in the hospital.

If you could afford the hospital bill in the first place!

Thats what insurance is for.  Every job I have ever had in the U.S. has offered medical insurance.  Even my sister-in-law who worked part time in a retail store had health insurance and a private room that was paid for when she had her baby.

Thats what insurance is for.  Every job I have ever had in the U.S. has offered medical insurance.  Even my sister-in-law who worked part time in a retail store had health insurance and a private room that was paid for when she had her baby.

Then you're one of the lucky ones. Plenty of Americans aren't so fortunate. And, for what it's worth, there are bugs other than MRSA rampant in US hospitals -- my mother caught one. They're very widespread and extremely unpleasant.

I agree. It sounds like your beefs are more to do with big city living than the UK per se, Cat. Am I wrong?

Actually it isn't as I grew up in an urban neighborhood near NYC.

I could get MRSA in the hospital.

I've been in hospital here in the UK four times now.  One of them was a fairly long stay after the assisted delivery of a baby girl.  I never got MRSA.  On the other hand, one of my old university professor's husband had a heart attack at age 52 back in Austin.  He contracted MRSA and died in hospital there.  It's deffo not an MRSA-free zone. 

Then you're one of the lucky ones. Plenty of Americans aren't so fortunate. And, for what it's worth, there are bugs other than MRSA rampant in US hospitals -- my mother caught one. They're very widespread and extremely unpleasant.

I was one of the unfortunate ones.  Working a professional job (legal secretary) and unable to afford the medical to cover me and my two kids.  And making too much money to qualify for any government aid.  And no paediatricians taking on KidCare patients.

When I became a court reporter - supposedly to earn more money - I had to work nights at 7-Eleven to get insurance to cover us.  Kind of sad when 7-Eleven has a better medical plan than a worldwide legal firm.  

And I really don't see having to own a car as a plus, either.  I've gotten along just fine here in the UK for almost 3 years without having to drive myself at all.  My husband drives - or I use public transport or - gasp - walk.  Public transport where I came from was a joke, and the idea of walking anywhere in the Florida heat for longer than 10 minutes is a an even funnier joke.  Not to mention that the landscape just is not pedestrian-friendly.  

I've been to the hospital five times while in England:

An ectopic pregnancy, a car accident while 11 weeks pregnant, a dislocated shoulder from a horseriding accident and when both of my children were born.

I have to say that the care I received every time was very good.  I also know that service and care varies from area to area.  I was fortunate and was very well looked after.  I especially liked the doctor in casualty who put my arm back in place after the dislocation, but maybe it had more to do with the muscle relaxers and pain killers...  

Uh...if you check the web site for the CDC in Atlanta, There is widespread MRSA in the US. My M in law died a few months back from it after having a routine op for a hernia.

Even my sister-in-law who worked part time in a retail store had health insurance and a private room that was paid for when she had her baby.

Wow, my sister is a teacher and her husband an engineer and they have fantastic insurance.  But it only paid for a semi-private room - shared with one other person - for both of her deliveries.  If she wanted a private room, she had to pay extra.  It also didn't cover 'well baby' care. 

And now I see on a forum for repats that quite a few insurers are no longer covering maternity care at all.  In fact, Congress is having to consider passing legislation that will force them to. 

I also worked at 7-11 to qualify for Kaiser Permanente - which I really liked - after being injured whilst uninsured - my former employer didn't offer it - and having to file bankrupcy as a result.

Please.  MRSA is all over American hospitals.  It just isn't a political issue because the hospitals are not government run.  It is believed that 45-70% of the population carry MRSA on their skin.  If you are healthy you won't be symptomatic.  If you get sick, then in may cause problems.  A hospital in the US swabbed every patient who came into their ER for a month and 70% tested positive for MRSA.  It was harmlessly colonized on their skin.

Infection control doctor in the US once told me that any staff member who has worked in a hospital more than a few months has it colonized in their noses.

Sorry I just had to jump in an hijack the thread because it bothers me when people seem to think that MRSA is only a problem in British hospitals because staff don't wash hands, its not clean blah blah blah.  A bunch of twaddle.  Not that handwashing and cleanliness aren't important in a hospital, it is extremely important. But cleanliness and handwashing aren't going to get MRSA out of our lives totally.

Please.  MRSA is all over American hospitals.  It just isn't a political issue because the hospitals are not government run.  It is believed that 45-70% of the population carry MRSA on their skin.  If you are healthy you won't be symptomatic.  If you get sick, then in may cause problems.  A hospital in the US swabbed every patient who came into their ER for a month and 70% tested positive for MRSA.  It was harmlessly colonized on their skin.

Infection control doctor in the US once told me that any staff member who has worked in a hospital more than a few months has it colonized in their noses.

Sorry I just had to jump in an hijack the thread because it bothers me when people seem to think that MRSA is only a problem in British hospitals because staff don't wash hands, its not clean blah blah blah.  A bunch of twaddle.  Not that handwashing and cleanliness aren't important in a hospital, it is extremely important. But cleanliness and handwashing aren't going to get MRSA out of our lives totally.

Please, jump in.  It's an issue that gets my back up, as well - as though those of us in the UK are living in some primitive third world where the hospitals are filthy and we barely have indoor plumbing...

I had both my children in two different, lovely town hospitals where yes, I was allowed a private room and also was allowed to stay a week with each of them! (Try pulling that off in a US hospital - my cousin had to leave within 24 hours..).

It entirely depends on the hospital. You can't judge ALL UK hospitals by what you're seeing in London. That's a trifle unfair. And you'd be surprised how many people like sharing rooms when they've had babies - especially those who don't have close family and friends about. You might actually enjoy sharing your first labour experiences with fellow sufferers

Does anyone else actually remember the warnings from the health profession about 10 years ago ?

They were warning then about the over use of anti-biotics and the fact that this was likely to happen, I remember a programme about it.

As someone going back to the U.S, I have the same concerns about MRSA that side of the pond as this, believe me!

Does anyone else actually remember the warnings from the health profession about 10 years ago ?

They were warning then about the over use of anti-biotics and the fact that this was likely to happen, I remember a programme about it.

As someone going back to the U.S, I have the same concerns about MRSA that side of the pond as this, believe me!

I remember.  They sort of stopped prescribing antibiotics for every little thing in an effort to stall it happening, but it was already in motion.  The bugs are stronger and the people are weaker.  It was bound to happen.