for thinking that it is ok that the NHS look after their own? Or do they not?

[GreenEggsAndSpam]

My personal experience of my DH working in the NHS is that once we are at the appt/treatment stage and medics see his NHS ID badge, we get speedier treatment, more time, better explanations (DH is not medically qualified himself). I got a private room after DC1 was born when I was not in clinical need of one (once he mentioned he worked for the NHS). Our concerns seem to be taken more seriously if DP takes the DC's to appts (and visibly wears his badge) rather than me, even when I am more clear and persistent than him in discussions etc.

Now, is it because there are pretty few perks to being an NHS employee, that the 'taking care of their own' seems like just the least people can do, or is it wrong and to be discouraged?

I am not suggesting that people are bumped up lists or that medical opinion is over-ruled in any way, just that some NHS staff will give a little more if they are dealing with colleagues...

I think it works that way a few places. I work for county council (social services) and seem to get a little more time with teachers, when i was popping in for appointment with my 2nd pregnancy, the respect and time seemed better than my first.

LOL you are having a laugh.i am NHS never received any preferential treatment.in fact got assaulted by pt and they left me and a collegue sat in A&E with all the drunks

I work in the NHS and don't think I've ever had any perks. Well, that's not quite true - I did get a bit rolls-royced with my maternity care (got allocated a brilliant midwife etc) but that was because I had actually worked extensively with that maternity unit, rather than because I worked in the NHS per se.

I'm sure it's true that you get treated slightly differently if people think you understand the system/culture/language etc, but I've also had the experience (more than once!) of being berated by a doctor treating me because I'm an evil pen-pushing manager.

I've never heard of anyone travelling first class, by the way. Honestly, whatever people's criticisms of the NHS, its staff generally work really hard for not much money.

I had to have some tests last year and the lovely consultant arranged it so I could have them done in a lovely private hospital. I don't think this was preferential treatment though .

well I don't work for the NHS but I am sure I get "special" treatment
ds's consultant cam to the hospital specialy to do 2 operations, the coincidence that both me and the other mum could only do it during term time as we had other dc's with sn.

My fil is an obs-gyn consultant so I got the private room and choice of collegue to anaesthtise and cut me open.
It was great!
Poor guy has worked in that dept looking at ladybits for 30 years. Surely it was the least they could have done for his family.
Didn't use gold thread though...

Never had special treatment. In fact I kept it quiet when I was in hospital with pg related illness that I am a nurse. Some nurses would deliberately talk over technically to me, ignoring the fact that I am not general trained and hence had little idea of what they were saying!

My former (now retired)HV happened to know me socially and was a real laugh. She felt a bit quizzing me about pnd when she knows that I assess women for pnd (amongst other things) all the time when I am at work.

My antental notes had "nurse lecturer" written on them and I have to say I got 1:! care througout the delivery of dd and an amenities room immediately and was never charged (usually £50 a night). I work for the same trust tho, don't know if that makes a difference.

So yes they did look after their own in my case and no I don't think YABU.

It annoys me a bit that they 'look after their own' but I suppose that's life

what's to be annoyed about?think about it,if nhs staff fast tracked means they see you quicker

It annoys me because it's to do with health which is hugely important to everyone and so special treatment for some seems so unfair. We're not just talking cash.

It's a little bit like saying teachers' kids would get extra tuition if their child had an important exam coming up.

NHS Directors do not travel 1st class

Consultants used to get 1st class rail travel; it was expected that you would do work, e.g.correspondence, dictation, reading results etc whilst on the train, and standing in a corner of cattle class wasn't exactly conducive! Not any more though.

I got free scan pictures and a private room for dd's elective section, but the downside was the room was miles away from the nurses station and people used to avoid me- I even had to walk out of my room to find someone when they forgot to bring me lunch one day.

When dd was ill with her chest, we had a single room, but I think that's normal for babies if available. I did however have the indignity of being spotted by most of my junior staff with my nork hanging out, whilst trying to persuade a very wheezy baby to feed- a nurse came in to do obs and left door open on way out!

DH once "jumped the queue" for his hernia op- surgeon had a cancellation, and as they knew he never has breakfast (works in the theatre) he was able to jump on the table virtually there and then!

It must seem to some that we get preferential treatment, but it doesn't work out that way. I'm hobbling about waiting to see a surgeon for an op on my foot. He knows who I am, the waiting time guarantee is 18 weeks, it's 17 weeks since the referral went off, and I've not heard anything yet!

definitely no 1st class travel

I have been sorely let down by my local mental health service

after all the years service I have given!

My BF is married to a senior surgeon and got very short shrift tbh
SIL (ina different hospital) treated like a queen

ScottishMummy - I would not be seen quicker if an NHS member of staff has been fasgt-tracked - especially if it was my place in the queue that they had taken.

maybe they would return to work quicker and see others though!if staff arent off sick,promptly seen

If you pay for the initial consultation as a private patient then you can get seen quicker, as long as you have the money. This applies to anyone, whether they work in the NHS or not. If you stump up the £100 or whatever you can be seen the next week.

I don't buy it ScottishMummy. I'd be furious if I was bumped for a NHS staff member.

However, most of the preferential treatment mentioned here isn't about being treated quicker, it's more about getting a better service e.g. private rooms, free scan photos, being treated like a human being. I think we all as tax payers should receive the same level of care.

lighten up everyone i am speculating.anecdotal opinion.not factually based.

i have never been given preferential treatment and ive worked for the nhs for 18 years.
none of my coleagues have either that i am aware of.

i received a work related injury and got triaged like everyone else.ok.no special dibs

put yer teeth back in, i was speculating what if

but hey

the only feree at the point of need health serice in teh world

fuck been in nhs too long

lol "put your teath back in"