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Original poster

The NHS in comparison to Spain is unfit for purpose . . .

265 replies

Lineofconcepcion · 03/04/2022 18:33

My partner was taken ill a couple of weeks ago, we're on an extended holiday to Spain and Portugal. We went to the nearest public hospital in Oveido. Within 5 minutes he was triaged, examined within half an hour, given iv painkillers within 40 minutes, seen by an a & e doctor within the hour. Diagnosed, put on an iv drip for antibiotics within another half hour. Completed this, had the cannula removed, discharged with a prescription all within 2 hours. I was allowed with him during the whole of the treatment/examination. Treated amazingly well, faultless, lovely staff, who uploaded Google translate, to communicate better. All this on a GHIC card.

If it had been the NHS we would have waited 12 hours to be seen, denied my entry to be with him and generally be pissed off by the lack of care.

Where has it all gone so wrong?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 03/04/2022 18:35

I agree. Spanish health care way surpasses our groaning NHS.

romdowa · 03/04/2022 18:38

In contrast the hse here in the Republic of Ireland makes the NHS look amazing . I recently received a letter asking me did I still want to be on a waiting list for a Dr that I was referred to 5 years ago 🤣 i lived for nearly 3 years in the UK and always found the NHS fantastic compared to the shit show here at home.
My neighbours 90 year old mother recently got an appointment for cataract surgery .... for 10 years time 🙈

Anycrispsleft · 03/04/2022 18:40

It's the same in Germany. The healthcare is so, so much better. It frustrates me so much when ppl in the UK resist change to the NHS because "you wouldn't want a system like the US" - well no, but a system like France, Germany, Switzerland or Belguim would be just fine.

thegcatsmother · 03/04/2022 18:41

Having lived in Belgium for 13 years, I have to agree...

bringmelaughter · 03/04/2022 18:45

The NHS in comparison to Spain is underfunded for it’s purpose . . .

There we go, I fixed the title.

CharityShopChic · 03/04/2022 18:46

@AnyFucker

I agree. Spanish health care way surpasses our groaning NHS.
Most other Western European countries do.

But thou shalt not criticise the NHS and the angels who work for it. It is a sacred cow. Just keep pouring in more and more cash, forever, and ignore all calls for reform.

Looneytune253 · 03/04/2022 18:47

Will you not have to pay for your care though? Maybe that's the difference whether you can claim it on insurance or not. Where health insurance is involved you're always gonna get a faster more intense service

soregums · 03/04/2022 18:49

My experience in Spain was horrendous. I was told I must have slept funny as I had horrendous shoulder pain and symptoms of ruptured ectopic. They refused to examine me, literally laughed at me for being dramatic and told me to take paracetamol. Fortunately I followed my gut, went straight to the airport and got next flight home. Went straight to NHS hospital where I was examined and scanned then taken straight to surgery where my Fallopian tube was removed as I was correct, I was having a ruptured ectopic. The doctor said I would literally be dead with 24 hours if I'd stayed in Spain. They drained almost a litre of blood that I'd already bled out due to the internal bleeding.

Original poster
Lineofconcepcion · 03/04/2022 18:50

No, there is a reciprocal agreement between Uk and Spain so it's free with a GHIC .

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 03/04/2022 18:51

My mum got ill in Australia on holiday recently. Sounds similar but she wasn’t as poorly. Saw a doctor within hours, ultrasound same day, results within an hour, prescription at the same time.

Her friend went to a&e this afternoon in an ambience here, been vomiting for days, dehydrated as can’t keep down water, been ill for two months, not been able to see a doctor. Still waiting to be seen 4 hours later.

LethargeMarg · 03/04/2022 18:54

I have honestly lost count of how many anti nhs threads there are on mumsnet at the moment. It really is worrying how much people appear desperate for it to fail and private healthcare to creep in.
The problem in the uk is no party is brave enough to up taxes to properly fund healthcare like they do on the continent.

LagunaBubbles · 03/04/2022 18:55

But thou shalt not criticise the NHS and the angels who work for it. It is a sacred cow. Just keep pouring in more and more cash, forever, and ignore all calls for reform

Have you any idea how nasty using that word angels is in the context of your post? I'm just an average NHS staff Nurse, I've did my best since I qualified in 2001 and the last 2 years have been especially difficult. And then there's people like you who clearly have an issue. I'm a Nurse. Not an angel.

CharityShopChic · 03/04/2022 18:55

It's pretty much failing already, @LethargeMarg.

CharityShopChic · 03/04/2022 18:57

I don't have an issue with most people who work for the NHS. Most of them are great. Some of them are average. Some of them are rubbish and incompetent. Just like any other organisation.

But even before Covid, and definitely now, you are not allowed to criticise the NHS and those who work for it.

DogsAndGin · 03/04/2022 18:57

The NHS is a death trap

LethargeMarg · 03/04/2022 18:59

I don't agree. My dad was on a ward and diagnosed with a broken hip four hours from my mum calling 111 five weeks ago. His care has been brilliant.
I'm a nursing student and every single lecture and seminar focuses on the importance of patient centred care . My colleagues and myself work with some of the most vulnerable and challenging patients weekends, nights for pretty low pay and it's emotionally and physically draining as we are so short staffed and no one is applying for the many advertised vacancies and these constant threads are a real kick in the teeth and not constructive at all .

OverByYer · 03/04/2022 19:00

The nhs is not under funded it’s badly managed and wasteful of its resources.

tothemoonandbackbuses · 03/04/2022 19:02

My recent experiences of the nhs have actually been the opposite I’ve been seen quickly, the staff have been brilliant and have gone out of their way (ie it wasn’t actually their job) to get me treatment sooner than I would have done otherwise

Private healthcare would be a disaster for many families especially those struggling with energy and food prices.

BambinaJAS · 03/04/2022 19:02

Oviedo?

Thats pretty out there in Asturias so you won't have much congestion.

Very different situation in more urban areas with a higher % of sicker and older folks.

Toddlerteaplease · 03/04/2022 19:03

Ugh the waste of resources is terrible. Thousands spent on computer systems that are used for a few month. The inefficiency is ridiculous!

BambinaJAS · 03/04/2022 19:03

@Lineofconcepcion

No, there is a reciprocal agreement between Uk and Spain so it's free with a GHIC .
Only for emergency care.
Hoppinggreen · 03/04/2022 19:04

I have used the public clinics in Spain a couple of times, it’s always been brilliant

Blossomtoes · 03/04/2022 19:05

Spain spends a higher percentage of its GDP on healthcare. It’s obviously going to be better. You get what you pay for.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/04/2022 19:06

That’s very lucky for your dad @LethargeMarg
You’ll know that doesn’t reflect the experience millions of people are having, hence the threads. You’ll have known what this thread was about and made a choice to click on it. You can’t complain about people discussing their own experiences because you find them upsetting. A lot of people are having a horrifying time trying to get the help they need and deserve when they or loved ones are sick, scared, in pain. They’re allowed to share that. You should be as angry as everyone else is at the horror show so many people are finding when they’re in desperate need.

thewooster · 03/04/2022 19:07

@Lineofconcepcion

No, there is a reciprocal agreement between Uk and Spain so it's free with a GHIC .
Is it free? Surely someone somewhere is footing the bill?