NHS - anyone else scared about getting sick?!

[Hertsdad5]

I have seen firsthand how underfunded and at breaking point the NHS is and getting seriously worried if myself or family were urgently ill or it was something serious. My last trip to A&E was just horrific - it genuinely felt like I was in a bad episode of ER..no care or empathy anywhere.I have lived in 3 different countries but I honestly fear for my wellbeing in the UK right now. It’s silly but I’m tempted to move away again it’s so bad esp as I get older. Anyone else feel like this?

No. Have had to use GP, walk in and A&E during the past 2 months and had no issues.

Yes, is why I am still walking on a potentially broken foot. I don't want to go to A&E and spend most of a day there. I literally can't anyway.

That’s good to know - I’ve been to all three in last 12 mths and had shocking time but herts is very poor for healthcare / hospitals IMO. Kingston was so much better.

It’s terrifying. A few weeks ago I put £2k worth of private medical tests on my credit card because the NHS was taking too long to refer me and I wanted diagnosing asap. It was unsafe for me to wait the length of time the NHS expected me to wait.

I try not to think about it or worry about it as I would drive myself crazy, but yes it has crossed my mind a few times. I PRAY that I - and everyone I love, and am close to, doesn't get ill, and need hospital treatment.

My local A&E has said don't attend unless it is absolutely dire.

My GP practice is fabulous, despite all the pressures they are under. I would worry if I, or my loved ones needed emergency treatment. DH and I had Covid a couple of months ago and we were so ill. I was genuinely afraid that one or both of us might need an ambulance and die waiting for one, or waiting to get the care needed at the hospital.

I have been worried about this for months - yet last week when my DF was ill, I had no complaints. Ambulance came within about 40 mins, straight in at A&E, and he had all the tests/treatment required within hours.

I had covid recently
111 took 12hrs to cal back BUT things moved really quickly then and I was on antivirals 16hrs after the positive test which came by taxi
GP arranged a fit note
Covid at home team rang me and delivered an pulse/o2 monitor then rang me daily to check how I was
Can't fault it at all

No. I’m in the middle of chemo and my cancer treatment, plus the three related visits I’ve had to A&E in the last two months, has all been excellent. I couldn’t have wished for better care.

Im in third trimester atm of a high risk pregnancy and terrified tbh

Yes, I’m trying my best to keep make healthy choices, reduce stress, weight, blood pressure, salt, saturated fat, red meat etc and to exercise. From a health perspective it looks like you’re on your own unless you can afford private health care. Better to try to be fit and strong enough to support middle and old age.

GP practice also fabulous here, although hospitals extremely patchy.

No.

why wouldn't you take responsibility for your health anyway? Have you not always done so?

Yes.

And also, the things that might help me get better aren't accessible at the moment. You know those lower level ailments? Tweaking your HRT, checking whether the pain in my hands is arthritis (can't be treated) or rheumatism (possibly can be treated)- just not serious enough to ask for an appointment. I'll try in summer when hopefully the GP will be less busy.

I am seriously ill with aggressive breast cancer, and my care has been absolutely first class, from the moment I told the doctors receptionist I had found a lump

Yes definitely worried and Dh (hospital consultant) agrees we are right to worry. He calls our two local hospitals “the war zone”. Our Trust is one of the worst performing for emergency care which is quite depressing !🤦‍♀️

Our GP practice doesn’t have any available appointments for 5 weeks at the moment.

I ended up in hospital over Christmas, was admitted via A&E. I collapsed in the waiting room and ended up in resus. Was then blue lighted to another hospital
I honestly can’t fault the care I received. I’ve also been overseen by my GP, prior to this and since and again, the care has been faultless

My mum has been undergoing cancer treatment, has ended up in A&E twice, due to side effects, underwent complex surgery, 5 days in ITU and again, her care has been wonderful

Very mixed here, have cancer and asd child in hospital. Some has been really horrific, some has been fine.

My son has diabetes and had a serious hypo on Xmas day. The ambulance arrived within 5 minutes and the paramedics were wonderful

I think a busy A and E is always going to feel chaotic because you have everything from febrile seizures to broken bones to mental health episodes waiting in a room, and everyone's stressed because something scary has just happened.

@Nimbostratus100 breast cancer here too - and I agree, from the moment I called the GP about a lump I’ve been so well looked after. My GP could easily have fobbed me off as I’m in my 30s and was breastfeeding my 4 month old at the time but she didn’t, she was amazing. Wishing you all the best ❤️

Had to attend A&E last night with family member. 111 first for advice, excellent service and while A&E was clearly busy, the staff were calm, polite, caring and professional. This was in a large teaching hospital in Scotland

No. I am never sick, but if it happens then I'll just take my chances.
What will be, will be, so there is absolutely no point in worrying.