To worry about not being able to see a paediatrician on the NHS?

[RevoltingPeasant]

Okay, so talk some sense into me, please.

I grew up in the US with private health insurance (obv). My sisters and I saw a paediatrician until we were in our late teens - in fact our 'family doctor' (GP) would not take patients under 16. I think this is normal in other countries as well - my German friend says the same.

We also got check ups really regularly, at least once a year but often more, and especially when we were babies. In fact, my younger sister's extremely aggressive abdominal cancer was first spotted when she was still pre-verbal, just during a routine check up. A few more weeks and it probably would have been untreatable - we are super lucky she lived.

DP and I are planning a family now, so I'm looking into these things, and have been told by friends that it's not normal to take DCs to a paed in this country (except in serious cases in hospital) and that check ups aren't regular if there aren't obvious symptoms. I find this worrying in a general sense, and also because with my family history, there is an increased chance that any baby of mine will develop that form of cancer.

Am I just being extremely precious?? Suffering from culture shock? Or this is genuinely a real gap in the NHS? It just seems.... negligent to me, not to give children routine preventative medicine, especially when they are too young to verbalise properly.

GalloweesG your post again illustrates more ways the NHS fail people

My son has a very serious medical condition and sees a paediatric doctor on a regular basis.

My daughter meanwhile has never needed to see a doctor since she left hospital after birth (besides regular vaccines).I see enough doctors with DS that I would find any extra appointments for DD intrusive and frankly pointless.

If there is something wrong with your child they will be treated. If they were not treated it would be neglect. But they are, so YABU. If a child has cancer there will be symptoms and furthermore if there is a history they will be more aware and will probably check out any of your children, even if it's just to say there is nothing wrong.

Some cancers are genetic, some are not. I would mention it anyway in your medical notes and speak to your (potential) midwife about your concerns.

YAB totally U particularly coming from the USA with that attitude.

I have an American friend whom I met at college and she went home after her MA. She was unemployed for a bit after being made redundnant and she was terrified of her or her DD falling ill as she couldn't afford to see a doctor. She lost her insurance when she lost her job. She got a kidney infection once and it cost her over $100 to see a doctor for about 10 mins and about $40 for a prescription. Same story when her DD broke her arm.

Had she been British and in the UK her DD and her would have received all of that care free.

There's also nothing to stop you taking your children to a paediatrician for routine check ups but you have to get a GP to refer you and you'll have to pay.

Holidaysoon, actually the HMO that I currently have with all these problems is a state subsidized healthcare for low-income people. So, in essence it is running with the same limitations as the NHS. I actually also carry another insurance for the family that has a huge excess ($20,000), but I keep it for the possibility of major medical catastrophes where I really will need to be able to pick my doctors and not wait for referrals. It is not cost effective to use it for every day care.
I prefer the American system because I have choices. I once calculated how much I paid in income taxes in the UK vs. the USA and then added in my healthcare costs in the usa. The total payment out was the same (as I pay far less taxes in the usa than in the uk even at my pathetically low income), but in the US I can choose my gp. If I want one near my work instead of my home, I can do that. If I prefer a female gp, I have that choice. If I wanted someone who spoke my native language (not actually an issue for me, but very important for others), I can choose that. In general, both systems suck for the poor and uneducated and/or shy.

FWIW, I never see our GP for DS's care, we have open access to our local hospital so that we can see a paediatric doctor immediately.

All on the NHS, I know many people with DS's care in America, who have a much lower life expectancy and often have to forgo some treatments as the medication costs/ insurance costs are so extortionate.

*with DS's condition.

You can choose your GP practice here too Sofia. They changed the rules recently and most practices have both male and female GPs you can request to see when booking.

A1980 there is insurance in every State to cover poor children (and poor adults too). You also do not lose your insurance when you lose your job (there are very strict laws preventing this). You just must pay for it yourself. It sounds like your friend needs to do a little research on the options available to her in her time of need.

^ She was out of work for a long time a couple of years........ She couldn't afford to pay for the god damn insurance once she had lost her job....!

That's nice to hear Reindeer....It's been 6 years since I lived in the UK and that was one thing that really irritated me. The relationship between a doctor and patient is very personal and very important. The gp that my children currently have is very odd and many people don't like him, but I think he is fabulous because he completely understands my ds (and he reminds me of my absent minded father). I am thrilled that I am in a position to choose him (even with my state subsidized HMO).

OP - I prefer my child to be routinely seen by a consultant paediatrician. I take him (now a toddler) a couple of times a year for a general review. For me it is a great opportunity to have a lengthy chat about any issues I want to discuss. I believe in preventative medicine and in being pro-active (I see the paediatrician privately). He is an expert in his area, and has NHS as well as private practices.
I also have a great GP surgery that I use for visits to see the duty doctor, but our appointment times are much shorter than when I see our paed.

Riven - you seem to have my line of thinking, having a genuinely medically ill child, like myself, I too am questioning why anyone would want to put their children through such unnecessary procedures?

DD will not see a doctor unless she is ill. It is just a waste of resources otherwise.

A1980, if she was out of work for that long, why didn't she apply for Medical or the health insurance for poor children (called different things in each State)? It irritates me when people claim that there are no safety nets for people in need in the USA. There are plenty. They are just different than those in the UK. Not better or worse, just different.

I think a lot of the OP concerns are a cultural difference. She has grown up with endless (possibly unnecessary) specialist doctors appointments. The problem with a lot of specialists is that they treat the part of the body, rather than the human being.

Having a GP who treats the entire family is more holistic. The doctor will understand how Mum's depression is linked to her toddler's developmental delay. He will realise that a child's behaviour problems might be a bi product of the mother's pregnant. Having a GP treat you can avoid bad interactions with medication as she will know that the a particular anti biotic will stop your contraceptive pill working.

When we get to see specialists they are best in their field because there are far fewer specialists. Only the best get to be consultants.

With any system there are always downsides. Most GPs are very experienced with children. If you are concerned you could ask for a GP with a specialist interest in paediatrics.

Sofia I agree with you, you must have confidence in your GP. Plus many people work long hours now, hence why the UK felt that people should be able to have a GP that is convenient to them, rather than the closest in their catchment area to their house.

thanks Sofia it's an important point about how much we all do actually pay for the NHS

personally (and it's a tiny thing) it annoys me seeing people tell each other the NHS is free actually it costs those who do pay a huge wack

i do have to ask (and please don't think I'm prying) you havn't gone from paying a huge amount of tax in the UK to paying a tiny amount in the US have you?

One of the things that i think people in the UK find difficult to get our heads around is the insurance tied to your job thing others have mentioned, I know my cousin had worrying times when her dh lost his job and they were relying on hers for insurance (she has great insurance through work but was worried about loosing her job and of course couldn't change job until he got another) hence the France/ OZ system where your insurance is separate has it's attractions

I'm not quite sure why people view the US system as concentrating more on preventing illness.

When I worked in the US it would cost me $100 dollar for a doctors visit. I wouldn't go unless I was on death's door. Surely this leads to instances where things that could have been treated much earlier escalate into things that are more serious? Not really preventative at all

I am not sure who said their children had blood tests every month. I don't know anyone who has a healthy child who has blood tests every month or even every year. Babies get seen every few months (same as in the uk, just that in us they are seen by pediatrician not hv) and then when older they get seen once a year. My kids' annual check up consists of making sure their eyes, nose mouth, lungs, heart, reflexes are working properly. Checking they are up to date on their jabs and seeing if the parents have any concerns. In my case, there is a family history of men having strokes at a young age in my husband's family, so gp here, referred ds for a blood test related to this. Otherwise, no blood drawn except in the case of illness requiring blood tests.

Riven, kids in America don't get sore throats, they get strep throat, sounds much more serious that way

Ive got 3 dd's and seen a pead loads through the doc refering me to the childrens ward. If the doc thinks you need a pead he will send you to the pead. I seen is throat specialist on Monday and a sleep sleep specialist on Thursday. DD's sorted now.

Had i had to pay for them to see the pead, they would not have been seen.

I have 2 walk in centres near me one which is 24 hours. If you cant get to docs you got to them and if needed they will refer you to the childrens ward.

I remember 2 years ago dd1 had a really bad chest infection, she woke up hallucinating and gasping for breah. Within 30 mins the emergency doc was there and i was whisked to the childrens ward and seeing a pead within 10 minutes.

Yeah sometimes they get things wrong but you dont have to worry about access to medics be they docs or peads.

sorry to post and run guys but i've gotta go

excuse typos

You mentioned your German friend OP - yes, they do have an excellent and efficient health service but they pay much higher taxes than we do for the privilege. According to my German friend that is.