Are people dropping like flies . . .

My standard of care has been quite good since I've been here - every bit as good as in the US if not better....

Also, every NHS Trust has something called a Patient & Public Involvement Forum which is an independent forum with statutory powers to monitor their Trust. The minutes of every forum are public record and, should you be so inclined, can be accessed via the "knowledge management system" on this website: http://www.cppih.org/ppi_new.html

There are mechanisms in place to deal with monitoring the NHS's performance and lots of means of making complaints, etc. - all of which are public record. I work for a mental health advocacy group and am directly involved with the Patient & Public Involvement system and am constantly trying to make people aware that there are ways of getting involved if you're truly concerned with the care the NHS provides! 

I, again, see the NHS as a beautiful thing. I, too,  have had poor experiences in the US and those such experiences were costing me a fortune. I like the attitude that if you are not crazy about your GP, you go find a new one and this is no different whether you're in the US or the UK. How many people in the US have been forced to use in network doctors to keep their out of pocket expense lower and they really do not like such doctor?I am about sick of defending the UK healthcare system to people here in the states that know absolutely nothing about it, have never used it or will never use it. It's crazy how many people have so many opinions about so many things that they know nothing about.

I am about sick of defending the UK healthcare system to people here in the states that know absolutely nothing about it, have never used it or will never use it. It's crazy how many people have so many opinions about so many things that they know nothing about.

AMEN!!

I am about sick of defending the UK healthcare system to people here in the states that know absolutely nothing about it, have never used it or will never use it. It's crazy how many people have so many opinions about so many things that they know nothing about.

This is what bothers me.  

I do understand though that some people just have had crap luck and crap doctors.  Having them no matter where you live or reading too many stories about the wrong leg being amutated or gloves left in a patients stomach, might tend to make you a bit leary.  

I think the thing is that as patients we do need to stand up for ourselves and our bodies.

Research and knowledge are power are important and you have to sometimes be willing to fight.

I urge people who have had bad experiences to stand up for themselves whether its the NHS or an HMO or the most expenisve doctor.  Hold them accountable.

This is what bothers me. 

I do understand though that some people just have had crap luck and crap doctors.  Having them no matter where you live or reading too many stories about the wrong leg being amutated or gloves left in a patients stomach, might tend to make you a bit leary. 

I think the thing is that as patients we do need to stand up for ourselves and our bodies.

Research and knowledge are power are important and you have to sometimes be willing to fight.

I urge people who have had bad experiences to stand up for themselves whether its the NHS or an HMO or the most expenisve doctor.  Hold them accountable.

Exactly!

I have pretty much begun telling my American naysayers that they are right. People in the UK are just dropping like flies!

I am about sick of defending the UK healthcare system to people here in the states that know absolutely nothing about it, have never used it or will never use it. It's crazy how many people have so many opinions about so many things that they know nothing about.

I can relate!  Before we moved over our pediatrician was like "Ohh, England-you know they have socialized medicine, right?"  (Insert evil music here).  
My daughter's Geneticist, on the other hand, was very positive and stated that we would be surprised at the level of care she received in the UK.  He was right.  We have been so pleased with the care our daughter has received.  No more jumping through insurance hoops, enduring yearly reviews for treatment/care (yep, she still has an imprinting mutation on one of her chromosomes), making sure that we did not go over our limit for various treatments, etc.
I'm sure that they will be bumps on our medical journey, but so far I'm happy with her care.  

Oh I completely forgot about our pediatricians response. I think I called to request medical records, said we were relocating to England and the respose was "good God, why?" and then followed up with "Please make sure you spend enough time looking for a doctor. Many do not specialize in pediatrics and this can be a problem."

Yes, American doctor and there are no children currently living in the UK. They have all dropped like flies along with the rest of the British population.

I, again, see the NHS as a beautiful thing. I, too,  have had poor experiences in the US and those such experiences were costing me a fortune. I like the attitude that if you are not crazy about your GP, you go find a new one and this is no different whether you're in the US or the UK. How many people in the US have been forced to use in network doctors to keep their out of pocket expense lower and they really do not like such doctor?I am about sick of defending the UK healthcare system to people here in the states that know absolutely nothing about it, have never used it or will never use it. It's crazy how many people have so many opinions about so many things that they know nothing about.

I guess I just have questions about the NHS because I have NOT experienced it and many Americans on here have had complaints about it.  I suppose after seeing some people complain, it's hard not to be skeptical.  And I do realize there are going to be bad experiences in both systems and part of this forum is to be able to discuss problems, grievances, etc....   

Also, in America, we're tend to be brought up with the attitude "You get what you pay for."  And while I realize that the NHS is paid for indirectly through people's wages, etc... it's hard to believe that it would compare to a very good private insurance company in the US.  But from the sounds of many of your posts, it does provide good health care. 

I guess since the life expectancies are the same in both countries for both men and women and the infant mortality rate is even lower in the UK than the US, this would prove that the NHS system must be working just fine.  (I was using that to explain it to my mother.)

I'm glad that everyone has such good things to say about the NHS and it's very reassuring to know that I'll have health care no matter what when I make the move. 

I am really glad to hear that some folks have had really great experiences especially those who need special medical attention!!

I should also say that my previous post on the BP experience was not the first bad experience with that GP...it was the last and it finally made me realize she was not a competent doctor. I am sure there are many great GP's out there. Again, my experiences were not life threatening.....its just that I was a bit leery to begin with and she did nothing to make me feel confident. Its a shame because I was actually very happy to have a woman doctor.

Oh I completely forgot about our pediatricians response. I think I called to request medical records, said we were relocating to England and the respose was "good God, why?" and then followed up with "Please make sure you spend enough time looking for a doctor. Many do not specialize in pediatrics and this can be a problem."

Yes, American doctor and there are no children currently living in the UK. They have all dropped like flies along with the rest of the British population.

   
What they fail to tell you is that if you have a child that needs additional care they WILL see a pediatrician that, dare I say it, are more capable than some of their US counterparts!  At least that has been our experience. I'm quite content with having our 'ordinary' daughter see a GP/health visitor.

It irks me the way the MRSA thing seems to get blown so far out of proportion over here (UK).  Guess what?  Hospitals in the US have problems with MRSA too -- it's a common bug & many healthy people are carrying it around without knowing or being bothered by it.  The only thing is that the UK media has a absolute feeding frenzy over MRSA, which I've not observed happening (with this particular issue) in the US.

While I've never really needed the NHS since I've been here (I've been very healthy), and it's obviously a good thing in essence, I think one of the problems with it many people have are the waiting lists. Sometimes you have to wait months, even years, to get an appointment for certain things... I've met people who have been on those huge waiting lists. I've also heard that asylum seekers get to jump the queue as well, which lengthens waiting lists even further -- Britain has one of the highest number of asylum seekers in the world. By that the time you actually get an appointment, it could too late if something is seriously wrong with you. 

I think the problem with the NHS is that it's overburdened and understaffed, and to be a nurse is undesirable because there are many cases of patients abusing hospital workers. They just said on the news the other night not to come in unless you're seriously ill. I'm just thankful I've never had anything wrong with me that would make me HAVE to go to the doctor since I've been here, except for getting a prescription for birth control pills and antidepressants.

It irks me the way the MRSA thing seems to get blown so far out of proportion over here (UK).  Guess what?  Hospitals in the US have problems with MRSA too -- it's a common bug & many healthy people are carrying it around without knowing or being bothered by it. 

Didn't one of the BeeGee brothers die of it in the US?  Could've sworn Robin did.  Maybe it was Maurice?

At any rate, one of my prof's husband did - in the US, following treatment for a heart attack.  He was 53.

It was Maurice but I can't remember if it was MSRA, just heard it was complications.

I've also heard that asylum seekers get to jump the queue as well, which lengthens waiting lists even further

Is that confirmed or just a rumor....I do hope its just a rumor because that is OTT crazy.

Is that confirmed or just a rumor....I do hope its just a rumor because that is OTT crazy.

Rumour.