for thinking that it is ok that the NHS look after their own? Or do they not?

[GreenEggsAndSpam]

My personal experience of my DH working in the NHS is that once we are at the appt/treatment stage and medics see his NHS ID badge, we get speedier treatment, more time, better explanations (DH is not medically qualified himself). I got a private room after DC1 was born when I was not in clinical need of one (once he mentioned he worked for the NHS). Our concerns seem to be taken more seriously if DP takes the DC's to appts (and visibly wears his badge) rather than me, even when I am more clear and persistent than him in discussions etc.

Now, is it because there are pretty few perks to being an NHS employee, that the 'taking care of their own' seems like just the least people can do, or is it wrong and to be discouraged?

I am not suggesting that people are bumped up lists or that medical opinion is over-ruled in any way, just that some NHS staff will give a little more if they are dealing with colleagues...

[frogs]

My cousin is a specialist medical negligence lawyer with a top london law firm. She always gets the mega-kid gloves treatment, I think there must be some code they put in the notes.

[themoon66]

Well it doesn't work in my hospital

[pippibluestocking]

Must admit that an e-mail to a hospital complaints dept using my NHS Net address did seem to evoke an exceedingly speedy response. I think it works in some areas but not others, i.e. midwives were still crap at DD2's delivery, I don't think they would had given a flying F**K if I was Mother Theresa (which obviously I wouldn't have been!)

[cmotdibbler]

Depends. Some do, some don't. Where I used to work, staff unfortunate enough to need treatment (cancer centre) did get special treatment (always seen by consultant, not juniors), but I certainly didn't get better treatment at the general hospital, even when I was just nipping out of where I was working.

[NorthernLurker]

There are very few perks - all I've got is free scan pics with dd3 - the sonographer said they didn't charge staff. I do wear my badge for any appointments with the kids - not because I want better treatment or faster treatment but because I am a colleague and I want the person we're seeing to know that. I'm not looking for advantage - but it doesn't hurt either.

[SilkCutMama]

What I really hate is that a friend of mine who works for the NHS travels first class on the train - I always think " that is my bloody tax money paying for your fancy travel"


Bloody NHS - so wrong and yet so right (in so many ways )

[NorthernLurker]

How do they swing first class? O had to wait 8 weeks for them to pay up for one standard day return - and I walked at the other end and saved then the taxi fare!

[SilkCutMama]

NHS director - she would not make middle management in a "normal" profit making organisation

I look at her (so often) and knowing what she earns and how incompetent she is just feel very ....... can't find the words

[SilkCutMama]

NHS director - she would not make middle management in a "normal" profit making organisation

I look at her (so often) and knowing what she earns and how incompetent she is just feel very ....... can't find the words

[themoon66]

SilkCutMama - i've never heard of any NHS worker traveling first class, ever, and I've been in the NHS since 1983.

[RedHead81]

I had no idea that happened!

[blueskythinker]

It's not happening for my Mum at the moment - she is in dire need of a hip replacement, and can't even get seen by her GP, and her appt with orthopaedic people is going to be October at the earliest - despite being bed-ridden & in uncontrolled pain.

She is a healthcare professional in the NHS

[CurrantBM]

Yes, it does happen to a certain degree.

DH and I are both employed by NHS. The thing that annoyed me the most, was that when I went for antenatal checks, the first thing that flashed on the computer screen was "CBM's DH is a doctor".Why should this matter at an antenatal check?

I did also get private rooms with both DD's, DD1 was in SCBU with pnuemonia, and DD2 was an emergency CS. Not sure if this was the reason why, I suspect not.

[SilkCutMama]

Do you know any Directors?????
I can assure you they all travel first class and go on lots of training days and don't really earn their £?????????


(I hope to God my friend is not an MNer - she will never speak to me again)

[Millarkie]

I've never had any special treatment from working in the NHS (had loads of problems with ds's medical care and my own).
And in the area I work in I can guarantee that all patients are treated equally.
(And have never heard of anyone getting first class travel paid for them).

[morningpaper]

yes you are right

DH doesn't wear his NHS badge when he is being a 'customer' because he likes to see what the service is REALLY LIKE

then can take action with any difficulties etc.

[hannahsaunt]

I can't fault the treatment that me and mine have received through the NHS. There have been times where it has been known that dh works for the NHS and it can mean slightly different, though not necessarily 'better' treatment - we tend to end up with fuller, more medicalised explanations, for example. Only perk I can think of was the midwives being lovely to dh when I was in hospital being very ill whilst pg with ds1 - he would stagger off the ward at 10pm after a 36h shift and they would let him in to visit even though it was outwith official hours (and ply him with tea, toast and biscuits) or let him stay until 10pm so he could straight to work rather than home for an hour and back in.

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[SilkCutMama]

Like I said - my friend is a Director with the NHS- still doesn't sit right with me though. A public service and she goes first class

Mmmmm - not quite cricket

[emma1977]

To a small degree in my experience. Whenever I've been referred to hospital, they tend to make sure that I am seen by consultant and not a junior. I got free scan photos when expecting my ds. I've noticed that my notes are marked 'local GP' in red pen!

Apart from that, there was nothing else remarkable. I was on an open ward when I was admitted with pregnancy complications, postnatally and when my son was admitted aged 8 weeks. On each occasion, I bumped into many of my patients which was a little uncomfortable but bearable.

[StealthPolarBear]

Never had special treatment and don't know if I'd want to. Doesn't seem to fit with the NHS values. Don't think it's the same thing as "this person is a doctor so can use medical terminology with her"

[Pinkveto]

Try not to get special treatment, but it does become obvious fairly quickly I'm medical. I think actually medics are very bad at doing the normal thing with colleagues. I nearly ended up on HDU after a small bleed with first delivery simply because of being an anaesthetist. Totally inappropriate for me with otherwise normal delivery and virtually no risk of re-bleed, and as a use of resources.

[fledtoscotland]

wow - 1st class travel paid by the NHS. i dont even get my time back let alone travel expenses!

IME it makes no difference. you are seen according to need and the times that i have needed emergency care, i was too ill to actually say i was an NHS employee!

[Blu]

SilkCut - well I was chatting to our consultant about a conference she was attending in pursuit of her specialism, she was returning on an overnight flight fom the states and coming straight into clinic to see her current priority patients (she is in orthopaedic trauma / limb reconstruction)..and she was only allowed to travel economy.

[StealthPolarBear]

"seen according to need"
exactly