Good things to say about NHS

If anyone has read my other posts, you know that one of my fav things about the UK has been the NHS. I have had awesome GPs and now I can extend my praise to the local hospital. I haven't been feeling well for most of December. First I had a headache that lasted a week, then a bad back ache for another week. Just when all that was clearing up right before Christmas, I had this excruciating pain in my stomach that lasted for several hours.

I had these attacks every few months since 2003, but hadn't had one since I got pregnant with Emily in 2005. My HMO in the states had never run any tests to see what was wrong. They just gave me Vacadian and sent me away. They had said it might be gastro-entreitis or gastric reflux disease or maybe even an ulcer, but never did any tests.

The Sunday before Christmas the pain woke me up at 5.00 and didn't let up until after 2.00pm. After that I just didn't feel very good. I hardly ate anything over the holidays. Then on Boxing Day I had another brief attack. I went to my doctor the next day. He said it might be ulcers, but it was more than likely my gall bladder. He put me on the list for referral and told me to go to A&E if I had another attack.

Over the New Years I was feeling worse and worse. I went back on the 2nd because I was nauseated and not feeling any better. The doctor gave me some meds for the nausea and said it was almost certainly my gall bladder. I went home and read about it on the Internet. I learned that the dark urine and jaundice I had were other symtoms. I called back but all they could do was schedule another appointment for the next day.

Then I called the NHS nurse line. They were really nice. When I saw the doctor the next day, he sent me to the hospital for blood tests. It took us longer to get to the hospital than to get the tests done. The pain was pretty bad then so I almost went to the A&E. Instead I went home and napped. Around 4.00 my doctor called and said that I needed to go to the A&E. We went and picked up a letter with the information and my blood test results in it to take to the hospital with us. We only waited less than an hour until they took us back. Now we did have to wait 3 more hours before I was seen by the doctors. They admitted me that night...and did surgery the next day.

One of the biggest differences in my experience between the US and the UK was everyone's bed side manners. I admit it I was a HUGE baby about the whole thing...I was really scared of being put to sleep. In my experience with the US, doctors would have been very condescending and acted as if I was being unreasonable. My doctors over here really took the time to listen to my fears...and they were very reassuring too. The junior doctor, the ultrasound doctor and the guy who drew my blood all went on and on about how great my doctor was, how he was one of the best in London, how if they needed surgery he would be the one they wanted. Although it didn't make me feel much better at the time, their understanding attitude really made the whole thing more bearable.

For the most part, the nurses although very over-loaded were really nice too. Even when they couldn't get something for me right away, they were really apologetic afterwards.

If we move back to the US in 2011 like DH wants, I think NHS will be the number 1 thing I miss most about the UK.

Being a Brit (and because both my parents are terminally ill and rely heavily on the NHS and get the best treatment) I'm quite proud of our NHS, I worked for them for a while too,  so I'm always glad to hear people praising it for a change.  Good to hear 

I forgot to mention...my GPs called my husband several times to check up on me while I was in the hospital. Can you believe that?

I like the fact that the meds were free.  After DD was born she needed medication for pink eye and thrush.  I couldn't believe it was free.  I stood there waiting for them to ask for payment.  They must have thought I was crazy.  Recently DS needed medication for his acid reflux and even with our insurance I had to pay 45.00 for it.

Just wanted to add another postitive experience with the NHS:

My brother-in-law broke his leg yesterday and needs extensive surgery on his ankle. The NHS has been fabulous! He'll be in the hospital until the swelling goes down and then they'll operate right away.

We've all been very impressed with the care and with the surgery being scheduled so quickly.

I also had a gallstone attack (pain second only to childbirth) and I called the out of hours number.  The doctor came to my house, gave me shots- morphine and anti nausea.  I saw a dr that week, he referred me for an ultrasound and now it's my choice whether I want it out or am willing to risk another attack.  I was very impressed with everything.

My husband has an eye condition which has always been well treated in hospital and with good follow up with specialists. And this is from a hospital with a bad reputation, but we've never had a problem at all....

I had really really severe tooth pain that came on suddenly one night ( I am no wuss when it comes to pain..but this was BBBBAAAADDDD!!) It was so painful I was in floods of tears..painkillers were not touching it at all!!! I rang the NHS direct number and kept appologising to the nurse at the end of the phone that I am ringing about toothache and not a heart attack or anything and i felt bad but the pain was unbearable and I was living on my own and in floods of tears...he gave me some advice on a combination of different meds to take without killing myself!! Which worked a treat..they knocked me out completely..and I said thanx...so I had great advice...but what I found sweet was the nurse called me every two hours throughout the night to make sure I was ok because I was living on my own....ahhh  I sent a letter to them thanking the nurse for great service.

Hi all,

I was reading through the boards and just couldn't pass up on an opportunity to give glowing tribute to our old NHS.

A few weeks ago I was having excruciating pains, visited my GP, she phoned my local hospital to tell them I was on my way, and after checking me over they kept me in for five days while they carried out tests.

I've been off work now for a few weeks but I'm still under investigation at hospital and liaising with work, hospital and my GP. I've also sent 'Thank You' cards to show my appreciation at how I've been dealt with.

Ten out of ten from me.

Touch wood... I've never had a bad experience with the NHS in 22 years. 

Flytec, sending a thank you card is a nice touch... I'm sure they don't get those often enough.

im sick with many things, uncontrolled diabetes , underactive thyroid, high blood pressure, anixiety disorder, now heel spurs which will require surgery.. so i love my gp, never had bad experinece, i still have blue cross blue shield in the states, they are ok but my copay is outrageous, i would rather stick to the nhs, no long hassles like at walgreens so see if my insurance is covering and such, i know yall know what imean, sick in themiddle of the night and get a prescprition, just to have the pharamacist say that my insurance dont want to cover it, anyways, i prefer NHS even when i used to pay for my meds i was ok, i mean i take about 8 differ types of pills.... i just seen on the news that ealing is listed as the worst one for care in the country, but i have been twice there to the a&e, and the dr on both occasions was so professsional and very kind.

I've never had a bad experience with the NHS either, although I haven't been sick much.

I thought NHS24 was quite good as well when I had a throat infection.  Got an appt with my local hospital right away (during a holiday weekend on a Sunday).

Another good thing about the NHS?  It exists.

My son had two shots today HepB (which they only give to high risk kids in the UK) and Hep A.  I have never missed my old GP and the old nurses that gave shots there more.  We had to go to the health department as we don't have insurance yet here.  That lady shouldn't work with kids.  No empathy goofy faces and no choccies.  I can't wait to find a decent Doctor here and have insurance.  We are going to have to sign up for Blue Cross at $315 a month.  A lot when you have no jobs.

My overall experience was great with the NHS.  I could have done without the MRSA and a few other things, but both my son and I are alive after a very harrowing experience so that says a lot to me.

My GP has really worked hard at getting me appointments quite quickly for outside referrals.  I need an ultrasound and got an appointment for two weeks later.  They always have appointments for the day and I can get in for regular (non-emergency) appointments around two days later if I want. 

Luckily I have never had to use the NHS much for myself (other than maternity care), but I was really blown away about my pregnancy experience over here.

Other than dealing with some incredibly nasty midwives at the hospital when I was in labor, the care I received was absolutely top notch. Excellent community midwife, fabulous delivery suite midwife. Even the weigh-in clinics where you and your baby go into be weighed, measured and you can ask any question you like.

Having the local health visitor call me and asking me if she can come to our house instead of us coming to her for our scheduled hv appointment because there are no free rooms at the surgery.... HOME VISITS? Would one ever receive such a service like that in the US?

The care and attention to detail my child and I have received from the NHS has been stellar. And I am very grateful for it!