To be totally fed up with the sorry excuse that is the NHS?

It’s a joke isn’t it. Imagine the poor fuckers who can’t advocate for themselves

Sorry for your experience OP but for those saying that the NHS is no longer fit for purpose etc I'd be interested to hear of ideas for a better system. It's the easiest thing in the world to find fault with things and even abolish them (Farage has made a good career out of it), but much harder to do the real work of building something better.

We have an increasingly old, frail and ill population. Healthcare that is free at the point of use paid for from general taxation is a miracle when it comes to trying to cope with that,.especially given how expensive care is now (technology etc).

Unfortunately because there are so many old and frail people, often those who are neither of those things suffer delays. But I'd like to hear of a better system than the one we have.

Sorry to disappoint you, but it already IS like this!

My FIL has something wrong with him and breathing difficulties, and the NHS were insisting on going through their check list step by step and ruling out anything else before scanning him. It was taking months and he was in pain and absolutely adamant it wasn't any of those things.

He paid for a private consultation, was seen the next week, given a scan that would have taken 6 to 9 months on the NHS, and they found a blockage that requires quite urgent surgery. The NHS now have him on the waiting list for surgery (he can afford to pay privately but the there is also a waiting list and would only make 2 weeks difference). Paying privately has prevented 6 to 9 months of pain.

So it's already a two tier system for those who can afford to pay.

The NHS is on its knees. Far too many over-paid middle management, drugs companies that are fleecing them for money, an obesity epidemic that is costing the NHS a fortune, and people who are abusing the system and clogging up appointments for no reason whatsoever just because they have health anxiety and think every little niggle is something wrong.

@Carlie97 that sounds absolutely awful! Personally I'd consider going private and somehow finding the money to pay for it. When you're paying, you don't get stuck in the system, and have people that actually listen to you.

YANBU, regarding the hysteroscopy (and biopsy), is there a reason that you would need a spinal anaesthetic instead of a general?

Like you, I cannot tolerate a hysteroscopy without anaesthesia and when these have been needed have had the procedure done as a day case with a general anaesthetic.

You can ask for a general anaesthetic, for example https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/hysteroscopy/hysteroscopy-in-day-theatres

Sorry op, truly very distressing, the nhs is fucked, has been for years, was a wonderful idea but sadly all these years on and it's not fit for purpose, the world has changed so much since it was set up.
I hope you find some strength to fight and if you can, push for more pain relief, disgusting and barbaric expecting women to just endure horrific pain.
I think we're already in a situation where the wealthy are insured and go private, and the poor are left at the mercy of the nhs, of which I've seen the best and worst, unfortunately it's a lottery as to what level of care you receive, and there's such entrenched back covering that it's impossible to get any accountability when you receive the worst of it.

Not great care, but what would you prefer? Do you think we should go to an insurance model? So you only get care if you can afford to pay? Most rational people would think the NHS needs better funding. Interested to know how tou
think this situation could be improved

Can you go private for any of it? You shouldn’t have to but I would be very tempted. The NHS is woeful. I know someone who received a cancer diagnosis via text the other day. Cruel doesn’t even come into it.

That sounds like a tough situation. But you have got this far. You are in the system and things are moving forward.

I always find it best to write things in a list as it makes me feel more in control. Anaemia is exhausting - which makes it harder to think.

The iron infusion will take a little while to kick in (couple of weeks?) - but once it does you should feel a little better and then able to more deal with each issue. You need to ask about follow up for this. As if they don't stop the root cause, this will keep happening so you need to keep your iron levels constantly topped up. Don't wait for the infusion - take iron tabs, ear iron rich diet etc

The main item is the cause of the anaemia. Sounds like you have an appointment for this. Ask them at that appointment how your iron levels will be managed whilst the solution is being found.

The endometrial hyperplasia appointment sounds frustrating but if it needs to happen, then speak to them about concerns and move forward.

Good luck!

I’m so sorry you are going through this OP. There needs to be serious changes made, but sadly, there is no political party willing to act. the NHS is a sacred cow and facing reality won’t win votes.