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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to get a bit fucked off at having to protect the NHS?

634 replies

Santaclauswhosthat · 25/04/2020 23:19

This is a healthcare system I've paid into all my life. I don't think everyone who works in it is a hero and the vast majority of them aren't underpaid. It's ranked 16th in the world and has the worst cancer outcomes for any developed country. It's not very good. Nonetheless it's the only healthcare system open to me right now. But I can't access it. My operation had been cancelled and I can't get a consultant appointment. The GPs aren't seeing patients face to face. I've already had one tumour removed that was on the turn. I'm worried that I may have another. I have no way of finding out if this is the case. A family member has already died of covid 19 after being denied treatment for three days during which repeated calls to the ambulance service were made whereupon his mother was told she should only ring again if his lips turned blue. He is dead. Right now. The NHS didn't protect him. It isn't protecting me either. What is the point of the NHS, exactly? Most clinics are closed or running at half mast. GPs aren't seeing anyone. NHS staff get shopping hours and free food and fuck knows what else and we are all dying protecting them.

OP posts:
Catkin8 · 25/04/2020 23:31

Yes, YABU, but you're grieving so it's understandable.

AnneLovesGilbert · 25/04/2020 23:33

You’re having a really tough time, I’m sorry Flowers

Complexico · 25/04/2020 23:33

GPs aren't seeing anyone.

I am not sure this is true across the board; our GP are seeing people, however, they have implemented a telephone triage system. Then you get a video conference, and then, if needed face-to-face appointment.

I am sorry for your loss.

Greysparkles · 25/04/2020 23:34

Who's decision do you think all those things are?
They're certainly not made by front line medics.
You're mad at the wrong people

Midsommar · 25/04/2020 23:35

Bloody hell OP, you've been to hell and back.
Don't really have any advice or anything but I couldn't just "read and run" as others put it.
Sending you a big fat cyber hug. Sorry for the utterly shit time you're having at the moment Flowers

andhessixfeetten · 25/04/2020 23:35

Treating it asa religion/the staff like saints is a mistake. Yanbu, press for treatment.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 25/04/2020 23:36

Yes, I agree. NHS needs to start remembering who they are there for.

Bairnsmum05 · 25/04/2020 23:36

I'm so fucking honoured to get a shopping hour, I feel so privileged. 🙄You are being very offensive to the wrong people.

EdwynCollins · 25/04/2020 23:36

Sorry for your loss
Not allowing people into hospital earlier, like Boris got, stinks. The decision has been made from above, it isn't individual trusts or the ambulance service. IMO it is to show we have capacity and deny how much austerity has damaged our NHS. Germany has better outcomes and people are seen earlier. Our services are coping because massive numbers of people are being denied a service. It's tragic OP, my heart goes out to you

1ForAllnAllFor1 · 25/04/2020 23:38

Oh I’m so sorry OP. This is very overwhelming for you. I can’t believe how much you have been though.

CalmYoBadSelf · 25/04/2020 23:38

I'm sorry you are having such a horrible time but I don't think we can just blame the NHS. We've all paid in but, relative to other countries who are doing healthcare better, we haven't paid in nearly enough. If we want the NHS to perform better and provide the standard of care you want, we all need to pay more

DesignedForLife · 25/04/2020 23:38

I’m sorry for your loss.

You are angry and grieving.

Just because mistakes can be made it doesn’t mean it’s a bad service.

There are a few people working for the NHS that are overpaid, not lots, and they mostly sit on fancy chairs. Doctors and surgeons are worth every penny because lives are in their hands. Nurses and other staff are not paid enough.

It’s very very worrying people not being able to access routine care. But not sure what the better option is?

BanKittenHeels · 25/04/2020 23:39

I’m not going to debate the pros and cons of your argument but I want to say I’m sorry for your loss and for the rough time you are going through.

acquiescence · 25/04/2020 23:41

I’m sorry for your loss.

How much do you think you have ‘paid in all your life’ to the NHS? Enough to cover all your appointments? Your operation? It is very unlikely.

You are not being asked to ‘protect us’. It is to protect everyone. NHS shopping hours are busier than at normal times, it’s to give us a chance to go around our unsocial shifts. We are not getting ‘fuck knows what else’. It’s hard work and stressful and healthcare colleagues are dying too. I don’t in any way think my colleagues are heroes but we are working hard and deserve the same respect than anyone working hard in this situation does. Teachers, supermarket staff, postmen deserve respect. A lot of health care workers are risking their lives so much more than the general public due to a lack of PPE and regular exposure.

GP surgeries are open, you have to call them and will be triaged.

Maybe try directing your anger towards the government that has been in power for the past 10 years and consistently cut funding to many, many areas of the NHS. This is the reason why routine appointments are not continuing and why delays occur for emergencies.

RealLifeHotWaterBottle · 25/04/2020 23:42

I'm so sorry for your loss. You're right to be angry, but I'd direct it at the politicians and decision makers not the NHS workers.

You've had a lot to deal with from the sound of it, it truly sounds awful.

NailsNeedDoing · 25/04/2020 23:43

Yanbu. It’s not the fault of the individuals that should be doing the operations and treatments, but it the fact that those things have stopped happening completely is outrageous, and is as big a risk to life as COVID.

1Morewineplease · 25/04/2020 23:43

I hear you, OP.

EL8888 · 25/04/2020 23:43

Fine, don’t then and watch it properly fall over. Which will have implications for everyone. I appreciate you are going through a tough time but the NHS has been chronically underfunded for years. So something like this literally brings it to it’s knees

SouthsideOwl · 25/04/2020 23:46

I'm sorry for what you're going through OP.
Personally, I feel we should move to a segregated CV system asap.
YANBU

WTF12345 · 25/04/2020 23:47

I'll queue for the supermarket, you go and look after my patients on coronavirus ITU in full PPE for 12 hours a day!!!!!! FFS!!!! 😡😡🤬🤬🤯🤯😫😫😤😤

Looneytune253 · 25/04/2020 23:49

To be fair though even countries with 'paid for' health care are struggling with their hospitals etc and some in a worse state than us. If everyone carried on as normal there wouldn't be enough room on the hospital wards for all the poorly people so we do have to protect the NHS. Give your doctors surgery a call they are still seeing patients when needed and cancer treatment has not stopped what ever you've heard.

Greenmarmalade · 25/04/2020 23:51

I’m so sorry.

You’re totally right that you’re being neglected and the response to your relative’s illness is really shocking.

There are so many flaws in the nhs. So many failures. We should celebrate the people who are working hard in awful circumstances, but never forget that it needs a massive overhaul. And a load more cash.

goldfinchfan · 25/04/2020 23:51

I think the Govt is using us, the public, praising the NHS to distract from the fact that they have run it down to the bone in the last 10 years.

Yes the medical staff are great but the system is not.
I also need help I cannot get.
For years I have heard there is no money etc etc.
YRNBU because you are hurting and you have been let down.
In recent years the NHS has "killed" 3 members of my family by not listening to them and then not treating them in time.

ishouldnotsayit · 25/04/2020 23:51

I personally agree doctors aren't seeing anyone because they decide on the phone whether to see you. I can't get my daughter seen because the doctors at my surgery are too important to risk themselves by doing face to face appointments. I can't have my tests because Coronavirus is more important. It is very tough.

Spoke to a consultant friend on the phone this morning (she does specialist surgery) and he's not been working for a few weeks ( still paid) they don't need them in as all operations cancelled. It's ridiculous really. No one wants to go in for a routine op and catch corona but I feel for you OP. Your loss sounds a horrific situation, I had no idea people are being treated like this or not treated. I'm very sorry Thanks

NoMoreDickheads · 25/04/2020 23:53

So sorry for your loss. xxx Flowers

You're not completely BU. I've had very unpleasant experiences in the past. I'm left wing and other lefties often try and deny how shit the NHS and some consultants, doctors, nurses and HCAs are. They sometimes kill people or really damage people's health by fucking up and being shit. Some outright delight in being obnoxious bullies.

I've had some less bad experiences over the last year or so.

Wishing you the help you want soon to ensure your peace of mind. xxxxx