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...

Cies - I didn't ask for the private room but I was creating about going home because I felt so shit having had no sleep from Sunday night through til Tuesday afternoon and had a migraine from the heat - I was threatening to leave, despite not having successfully started bf'ing. I said I woudl come back next day but I needed to go home RIGHT NOW. I think I was a bit manic. Anyway, they offered when they found out that I used to work there and that was through one of my old colleagues asking if they could come and see me, even though it was outside normal visiting hours, I didn't mention it. And they forgot to feed me a couple of times too but luckily I had lots of supplies with me.

The physio appt - my GP actually said to me that he would give me the referral card to take in myself, rather than him sending it, and told me to tell them that I was working downstairs and would be available if any cancellations cropped up, so I did. Probably wouldn't have crossed my mind otherwise.

I have also "taken advantage" of a lull in A&E when finishing on call to get checked for a back spasm that was causing breathing issues - as in I phoned them from the lab and said "are you busy" and they said "not really" so I said "can I come and see someone" and they said yes but you'll be in the queue (of course, didn't expect otherwise). I then got next day emergency appt with physio - but I think that would have happened with anyone in my situation.

I don't think anyone who works in the NHS does it for the perks (such as they are ) and most people who work there are dedicated professionals who would never try and "get one over" on anyone, or push themselves ahead at a patient's expense, and I think it is a bit poor to suggest that. It's a hard enough job with often too little reward, and anyone who works on the front line and in the support staff should be applauded for their contribution.

i did ask for a private room post delivery of ds2 - that was because i knew they were available and anyone can ask for them. Also i had had such an awful time in there after ds1 with children running about, no pivacy etc i really couldnt face that again. ALSO i knew that the rooms had TVs so my Ds1 would be occupied and not become one of those annoying children who was bored and so scaring all the PFB mummies to death . I also knew i would have visiters from work poppingin and so felt it would be nicer for the other patients to not be disturbed.

In regards to my childrens appointments - i work along side the consultants and so get to be seen quicker that way. I still have to go through the "system" of having a GP referal though and as my ds2 operation thats looming fast isnt urgent i have opted to wait the full 18weeks.

The most I got was speedy blood tests (worked in the labs), and a written apology when they cocked up my blood gas after DD - used to work with the guy who messed it up, he saw my name so sent up a note saying sorry and congratulations

I don't have a problem with NHS getting faster treatment etc. In the case of serious health problems they will not shove out a place (you won't get to the top of the transplant list because you are nhs), non-serious it wouldn't bother me.

Im a nurse practitioner and if ever me or my kids have needed treatment we have been treated quicker etc. I have worked at the same hospital for 20 years and so my face is quite well known and this helps. I certainly dont feel guilty as ive grafted my arse off over the years!!

Its just the same as getting discounts in shops you work in etc. My friend used to work at M & S and used to get ALL kinds!!

Some employees provide private health insurance and i don't feel jealous of them etc.

NHS staff get ABSOLUTELY NO official perks/bonus/vouchers etc, and so we do tend to look after each other out of general respect.

I think barnsley bell is missing the point - and to compare health to shopping discounts is ridiculous, and shows how much disdain your average NHS staffer treats patients/customer with.

We (normally, ordinary, tax paying people that is) dont get a choice as to whether we get better healthcare. We've all paid the same, we should get the same, full stop, isnt that the point of the NHS? If not then I dont see why my taxes should fund some peopl to get better treatment just because they work there.

and there are lots of perks in the NHS, just look at this thread!!

I take great offence at the comment that i or any other "average nhs staffer" treat patients with disdain. That is extremely offensive and not what these boards are about..

I am an extremely committed nurse practitioner with 20 years experience. I regularly visit my patients at home in my own time and patients ring me at all times of the day and night to discuss their anxieties with me.

I was voted nurse of the year for 3 years in arow for my dedication and standards of care.

I think the fact that my children and i maybe don't queue as long in a waiting room because a member of staff recognises me is hardly excessive. I and my family would go on the same waiting list as anyone else.

The trust i work for has an impeccable reputation and is full of hardworking, dedicated and professional members of staff.

Maybe your offensive attitude is what has led you to have experiences that have led you to this opinion.

Oh and by the way, I'm an ordinary tax paying individual too, although i'm not sure what that has to do with anything.

well given that you admit you get special treatment then you cant profess to understand the levels of service that normal people get? can you?

and there is plenty of evidence on this thread that plenty of nhs staffers and their families do jump queues.

I am sure you are a great nurse, i wasnt questioning you directly, but to compare healthcare to shopping vouchers is ridiculous.

I think it depends where you are and who you are.

Ive just got an appointment for an MRI scan in 2 weeks because the surgeon I was working with wrote the form for me. However, he couldnt get me in to see my consultant any quicker he said I would have to see my gp, or he would review the MRI himself (which is what Ive chosen).
When I had ds there were no perks from being nhs staff, I only got a private room in early labour because I said Id go home if they sent dh home.
We have Bupa for us all (although doesnt cover my brain scan as existing problem) so we use that for dh and the kids.

As nhs staff there are so few perks, compared to what dh gets from the privately owned company he works for (3 pay rises a year, car, free healthcare for the family).

IMHO its ok to bump staff up the list a bit or get them seen out of hours, but to take the place of someone who is in greater need is not acceptable

i'm with barnsleybelle - all the way.

I have never suggested i receive "special" treatment, simply had my bloods done a bit quicker or not waited as long at an OPA.

You speak as though i were taken through past someone who was ill.

Why do you think that i am not a "normal" person. I think you have deeper issues that you are taking out on me.

I would never suggest my patients were "normal" in comparason to me of my family. Each patient is an individual with individual needs and very few of my crtically ill patients are treated the same. So no, i can't " profess to understand the levels of service that normal people get", because i havn't a clue what you are talking about.

I found a breast lump this weekend. GP's surgery has a system whereby you phone at 8.15 for an urgent appointment, and if you get through in time, you are offered one the same morning. I could have done that, then waited for the GP's letter to be typed and sent to the breast clinic, where I would be seen within 2 weeks of the letter arriving. This option would have involved me cancelling a clinic this morning- thirty patients would have arrived at the hospital to discover the doctor wasn't there.

or, I could have arrived at work, picked up the phone to the Consultant in charge of the breast clinic, secured myself an appointment this week (in mine and he lunch break, so not jumping any queues) and carried on with my clinic.

The first option would have been fairer to the ordinary taxpayer , the second, I think, was fairer to my patients.

Tissy - sorry to hear that. Hope you are ok.

I worked in the maternity unit I had ds in and got a private room on the second night (none spare on the first) that was about it really, apart from a lovely colleague (HCA) fussing over me and bringing me mugs of tea and chocolates all night (which was nice).

There was one Gp on the postnatal ward I remember who had given birth to her first baby, she basically got looked over, everyone assumed she knew it all as she was a Gp. Obviously she didn't, she was in exactly the same position as any other first time Mum.

tissy- blimey what a shock!how are you you coping?one thing having professional abstraction and professionalism another thing when it is yourself

do take care

best wishes

yes obviously you weighed up options

• time off.pts cancelled appts.you wait
• prioritise and organise and no cancelled clinic

Tissy - hope all is well and you are in the clear. Well thought through re. time and patient management - and good post.

tissy - fingers crossed for

I think your attitude sums up my experience of how NHS professionals use this system - patients first, even when they are the patients.

Not read whole thread...

Silkcutmama seethinh about the first class train travel! I am a doc and when I have to travel away for courses I am only allowed second class and really don't see why it should be different for managers when all other staff travel with everyone else!

POersonally I think fair enough to get some speedier treatment and other perks like private rooms. Didn't get one after either of my boys were born (not enough and others with clinical need pipped me at the post which I think is fair cop) though... Although I did get seen by consultant at my antenatal appts but only because I asked.

My dh also got seen the next day when he was referred with a chest problem because GP said I was a doc in his referral letter.

Generally though I only mention who I am if I think it will make a difference - sometimes it can be a bad thing for people to know that you are medical as either they then don't explain stuff in enough detail (if it's a speciality that you don't know much about they presume you do for example) or else sometimes cut corners for embarrassment (for example not do internal exams where they actually should be done).

I've been treated a bit quicker in A&E when a patient punched me, but only so they could get my nose back on the grindstone fast! Cannot have taxpayers money been spent on my lounging about bleeding in A&E

In local NHS no-one gets to travel first class. Our new chairman received her standard class train tickets and sent them back saying there had been a mistake - she should have had first class. She was tolk that she would get standard class like anyone else. Don't tar all NHS with same brush.

panic over, benign breast cyst. I turned down the opportunity to have it drained with a needle.

tissy, that's a huge relief, so pleased for you. Will it drain off naturally over time? Don't blame you for choosing to miss out on the big needle .

I bet your patients would also be glad for you if they knew.

tissy - smashing,worry off your mind.great.now chop chop back to the coalface