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Original poster

Alternative to NHS?

113 replies

tex111 · 27/02/2006 18:18

OK, can someone educate me please. I'm American and I've been in the UK for 12 years. I've had my ups and downs with NHS during this time but now that I have children I'm finding it very difficult to put up with the long waiting lists for appointments, inability to get seen, overworked and often insensitive staff etc, etc. What are the alternatives?

We're fortunate enough to be able to afford private health and have a policy through DH's work but this only covers treatment. It does not cover 'investigation' or general healthcare. Is there such a thing as private A&E, private GPs, etc and how do I find them? What insurance companies provide such cover?

This has all come to a head after a very long day in A&E with 4 month old DD. She's been having blood in her nappy for ten days, this was my second trip to A&E and I've been disappointed in the treatment (or lack of it). What else can I do?

OP posts:

NHSjunkie · 01/03/2006 13:19

I disagree being a gp would make me more credable!

The most important credential I have is that I am a user of the NHS and my arguments are based on my knowledge of the politics of health.

NHSjunkie · 01/03/2006 13:22

Uwillie, yor view are a bit right wing for me, are you margaret thature per chance??

I belive in an eqquality health service and that just because a person has no money should not compramise the treatment they get. I right to adequate health care is a basic human right.

bundle · 01/03/2006 13:22

uwila, surely you mean you're a customer not a patient?

foxinsocks · 01/03/2006 13:22

yes but as uwila says, most of these practices have multiple GPs (certainly in these parts). Just as on a Monday night, we have family planning night (with a GP, nurses and family planning nurse) which is open till 8pm, GPs could (feasibly) do a Sat morning and then not do a Wednesday (or something like that).

In our practice, we have many women GPs, almost all of whom do part time hours (say 2 or 3 days a week so flexible working is obviously possible.

We used to have Sat surgery at our GPs but they stopped it. Luckily we have a fantastic refurbished local hospital which has a brilliant X-ray department, minor injuries and out of hours GP (well worth bearing this in mind Uwila, because it's not far from you!).

uwila · 01/03/2006 13:23

I did vote with my feet, NHSjunkie. I chose my GP based on the GP, not the recetionist. My last Gp was a real jerk, and I walked out and got a new one.

The GP has been good to me. I don't want anyone to thinkI'm having a go at her.

NHSjunkie · 01/03/2006 13:24

IMO the people who think they can buy their health, I feel they are sadly mistaken.

Health is something you have not something you buy.

bundle · 01/03/2006 13:24

uwila, what about if people who can afford to pay more get say cleaner water?

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 01/03/2006 13:26

I've had some brilliant experiences with the NHS & (to put it politely) some pretty crap ones too but I can honestly say that I've never had a member of staff be rude to me. And believe me when it comes to sick kids I can be a bit of a dragon!

I don't have personal experience of health service in other countries but I think that for a service free at the point of use - it's pretty good.

uwila · 01/03/2006 13:27

So you thinkit's a bad idea for people with money to buy their own goods leaving more for the less able?

Bundle, do you mean like Evian?

NHSjunkie · 01/03/2006 13:28

Bundle, do you mean evian on tap?

NHSjunkie · 01/03/2006 13:29

just because evian comes in a bottle does not make it better than tap water, just more convienient, same applies to healthcare.

uwila · 01/03/2006 13:29

So, NHSjunkie, what is your real screen name?

bundle · 01/03/2006 13:30

no i mean out of the tap, a two tier water system

NHSjunkie · 01/03/2006 13:32

private health care cannot cure the health problems of this nation. If you were to create a private HC system essentially IMO all the good drs and nurse would naturally go for better payn potentially leaving the NHS in dire straights, is this the way forward uwila or do we make an effort to improve the system we have?

uwila · 01/03/2006 13:34

So, uh...

What is the connectio to utilities? I was talking about trying to fix some problems in the NHS.

I wasn't aware that the water suppliers had a cutomer service problem. But, if I wanted to buy water, I could. Can't say I find the need to do that. But, I guess I could look into it.

NHSjunkie · 01/03/2006 13:36

I repeat :
just because evian comes in a bottle does not make it better than tap water, just more convienient, same applies to healthcare. private does not make it beter just more convienience, If thats whats important to you, knock yourself out.

I am interested in an institution that provides equal and quality health care free at the point of use and when I need it most.

KenningtonKitty · 01/03/2006 13:37

Tex111 - Looks like this has become a general discussion on GP's/NHS - However, I have used the Childrens A&E at St Thomas's 3 times and have found them excellent every time - always seen within 30 mins - this was before Evelina Childrens Hospital opened so we did spend time in the main hospital childrens ward which wsn't great (daughter had suspected meningitis yet wasn't kept isolated from other children !)

Have suggestions for 2 private GP practices in London - Cadogan Close Practice 020 7235 4842 and Westover House Practice 020 8877 1877 - Both recommended by a friend . Had friend with 5 month old who belonged to Cadogan Close and had a home visit - within 3 hours she had baby with Consultant Paed at Cromwell and was admitted so she was v happy with service (& baby now fine thankfully). However, does cost a fortune (monthly fee plus pay for call-outs) then your private health should cover hospital treatment.

bundle · 01/03/2006 13:38

trouble is, you think you can buy your way out of everything. sigh.

uwila · 01/03/2006 13:39

See now, that's a bit too leftist for me. (You may call me Maggie if you like, but no it isn't my name.)

Why is 2 tier bad? I hear this a lot and it seems to be a fundamental belief over here. I just wonder if you guys could explain to me why it is such a bad thing?

uwila · 01/03/2006 13:40

No, bundle, I can't buy my way out of much. You have misjudged my finances.

NHSjunkie · 01/03/2006 13:41

If in your next life you are a homless / poor elderly sick american then you will se why a two tiered system is bad!!!

uwila · 01/03/2006 13:43

Will I? But I've just been telling you how much better I like the US health system?

And it's not my impression that private health insurance if for the priviledged few in America. Every working and/or educated person I know has it.

bundle · 01/03/2006 13:46

no, i said you think you can (ie if you had enough money, you presumably would)

uwila · 01/03/2006 13:46

So, Bundle and junkie, what would you do about the failings of the NHS, or do you think it is flawless?

And I'm not saying the US system is flawless. I'm merely expressing that my experience of it has been better than my experience of the NHS.

bundle · 01/03/2006 13:47

it's the non-working/non educated people who we should be worried about in the states, uwila, that's the whole point. you really don't get it do you?

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