To wonder if he wasn't the Duke of Edinburgh

[sitandnatter]

They may not have bothered to unblock the coronary artery and just given less care letting "nature take its course". Of course I wish him well, he's 90 and I do enjoy his unpolitical correctness, he's one of the more amusing Royals. However, I tried and failed to get one old lady into hospital when she had a water infection, lived alone and couldn't even stand up, she's 88 and a sweetheart. The next day she had a fall, got hurt and was then admitted.

The Duke's had a stent inserted last night after having chest pains which can lead to heart/failure/attacks. When my mum needed one they cancelled her operation four times. It was after the fourth cancellations I had to get a patient support group brought in and the final cancelled operation was put back on and she was finally stented.

I hear over and over that when you get to over 80 the NHS don't seem to care any more.

AIBU to ponder if we are truly still managing to offer the NHS from cradle to grave, and that if some people's graves arrive quicker than others depending on their status, wealth?

I would imagine he has private medical care so the question wouldnt arise.

Well must ninety year olds aren't still working

When I'm 90 I wouldn't want to be traipsing around the world shaking hands
And has he ever been able to have Xmas day in his pjs

You can ponder it all you like. People will have stories which agree with your theory and stories which disagree with it, you will certainly never manage to prove either way that if Joe Bloggs had presented at the hospital with exactly the same symptoms he wouldn't have got the same treatment.

No it is on an individual basis. I've worked within a primary pci service (emergency stents) and we had many 'elderly' patients on the table. It generally has a good outcome and is lower risk than a bypass etc.

I'm not a fan of Phil (not at all actually), but if somebody has an otherwise decent quality of life it would be completely wrong to "let nature take its course".

Well, I certainly hope that they would do what they could. I thought unless there is a DNR order that they aim to save the life? I live outside the UK though, so not sure how it works there.

Does the UK have private insurance people can buy on top of regular insurance everyone gets?

I can't possibly imagine that the Duke of Edinburgh is reliant on NHS funding decisions.

He arrived at hospital by helicopter for a start!

I seriously doubt the NHS is treating him, tbh.

But you raise a good point about the terrible state of elderly 'care' in this country. I have several stories from my own family alone where elderly people have been treated disgustingly - and in one case actually died because of it.

No, my 90 year old great uncle has recently received extensive NHS treatment for an acute condition. And is now back at home.

My aged mother's treatment also was carried out on time.

But they are both in one NHS area. The "postcode lottery" isn't just rationing, it's also management standards. I am really the old lady you knew was failed by the NHS where she lives, and do wish that all areas did indeed function as well as the best.

I also have some in date experience via charity work of two other NHS areas. Both have treated over 80s in a timely and effective way (multiple admissions etc); but have been aware of difficulties in admissions in younger age groups.

So I'd agree performance is patchy and sometimes apparently substandard. But I don't see it as "privilege-based". Once admitted, the triaging by clinical need is done effectively.

I don't know, we have had private cases in our cath lab. The doctors performing the procedure are the same NHS or private. As for aftercare, put me on an NHS cardiology unit where they deal with post pci recovery and it's. Implications day in/day out please.

'it's complications'

Sorry fat fingers.

I've just googled - Papworth Hospital does have a private wing. I should imagine the Duke of Ed will be in that for simply for privacy/security issues and so bodyguards etc intrude onto the fewest number of other patients.

yy to TeaCider's post about preferring NHS for any extensive procedures - well pretty much anything really.

Agree with patchy. Where we live in London the medical care is fantastic (nursing can be pretty rough and standards of cleanliness leave much to be desired though); where my mother lives it is all pretty dire.

As far as I have been able to see emergency medical care is generally very good one just needs someone to be on the ward on one's behalf to keep an eye on nursing standards, cleanliness, and ensure the patient is comfortable.

My grandma had her second stent on the NHS at 88.

I didn't work, much as the doctors suggested it wouldn't but she still wanted to give it a go, so they explained the risk factors. She had it and despite everyone's best efforts she died a few months later.

They really couldn't have done any more than they did for her and we have no complaints as far as she is concerned.

She certainly didn't have status or any great wealth!

I do agree it's patchy though

From the reports in the press it would seem that he has had a primary PCI (ie emergency unblocking of the artery and insertion of a stent). I would assume all units offering this service work on the same protocol as we do - if there is an indication for treatment then it is carried out - regardless of the patients condition.

I actually feel sorry for him as most people in his position would have their wife/ partner at their side for support. He gets to go on his own most probably due to security issues. It's crappy to be away from your loved ones whether your privileged or not.

Around here the helicopter turns up for acute problems like heart and head injuries (east Anglia)

Stents are often done very quickly. DH had chest pain recently, I couldn't believe how quick and brilliant they were at all the tests and preventative treatment. Thankfully it wasn't heart and no stent needed.

DH is a cardiologist. For well people in their 90s, angioplasty is the norm. It's regarded as a minor procedure.

It wouldn't be performed as part of a wider decision to DNR, eg an elderly person in a home with dementia.

My auntie got an emergency stent a few years ago she was in her late 60s at the time , she got it right away , so it does happen , and hes the duke of edinburgh he will have private health care , and as hes an active royal i dont really think you can deny him treatment ,

wonlylegs i agree with you its not as if the queen can pop in at visiting time with a bag of grapes and a puzzle book can she , goodness even on breakfast news it was reported 1 of the princes were going to visit him this afternoon , Hope hes better soon cant be nice being in hospital at christmas for anybody ,

I agree wonky , after all her maj can hardly sit by his bedside holding his hand & drinking tea all day like the rest of us would can she?
Hopefully she'll be able to put off some of her duties today & he'll be back at Sandringham for their usual family gathering.

Wether you like him or not he's fab for 90 & works hard and he's a beloved hubby, dad,grandad & great grandad to a large family who'll be worrying like anyone would.

Must be a nightmare for the hospital staff though, with all the security I bet the hospital is crawling with high-ups & hospital managers who usually aren't seen for dust over the holiday!

oops i did meanwonkylegs

I bet if he spends Christmas day in hospital he's not stuck in a busy noisy ward struggling to find some dignity and privacy.

I wondered that OP - my grandmother was certainly advised not to undergo heart surgery at 86.

not that i know but perhaps the stent and heart surgery is an option for the elderly ?