[Closed] NHS rant

Hang on a minute! Doesn't that make you one of those health tourists? Those benefit scroungers I've read about in the Daily Mail? I've heard that you're personally costing 'hard-working' families £34,560, 673.954.00 each!!!! And thats why we all have to end up with no public services, and live in workhouses, eating stale bread for ever! I bet you're one of those bloody Muslimists too, aren't you?

Worse, welsh.
I have only worked 23 years in the uk and paid into the system for that long.
I only moved to vienna when I got sick.

How do they normally contact you when you're abroad?

Edit: it goes without saying that this must be incredibly frustrating for you and do hope that something gets worked out so you get the help you need.

Perhaps you should find a doctor more local to you than Wales.

I hope you didn't make the long journey from Vienna to Wales just for the appointment too....that would be an awful waste of money and time.

This means nothing to me........

Oh, Vienna

So, we've got the OP and his doctor. Is there a third man in this story somewhere?

Have you tried getting treated in Vienna using an E111 card? Might be worth a try, their health system might be better than ours..

I organise my appointments in advance. Then travel over specifically for treatment. If I go a bit crazy I can contact them by phone.
I'm just annoyed nobody bothered to call me when they knew he was gone.
I would not have come to uk if I had known this.

Sandwich - Member
Oh, Vienna

Sorry, what has Rigsby's cat got to do with this?

So, we've got the OP and his doctor. Is there a third man in this story somewhere?

I imagine, if there is, he will be quite disdainful of cuckoo clocks.

Have you tried getting treated in Vienna using an E111 card?

I would give that a whirl.

The doctor has gone only you and I
No appointment for me
No appointment for me
Oh, Vienna

You choose to live in Vienna and choose to be treated in north wales.
When it doesn't quite work out as you had hoped you feel the need to bitch about it on the unterwebs.
poor you.

^^^bit harsh isn't it?

I think the OP raises a valid general point that doctors seem to arrange their time on the premise that their time is invaluable but that everyone elses is worth nothing. Which at first glance seems like a fair enough idea to reduce budgets, but all it means is the patients get hacked off at having their time wasted and so don't be as diligent in cancelling/moving appointments in the future.

If the NHS showed people more respect then it would help.

I have tried for 3 years to get a good doctor. Mental health is not so easy. I have tried many in austria to no avail.
I have paid my nhs contributions so have no qualms in using the nhs.
The amount of stress knowing you're seeing your psychiatrist is unbelievable and unless you're mentally ill you cannot understand.
To be told the day before the appointment the doctor left 3 weeks ago is just shit.
End of.
EDIT: I was 3 weeks in a mental institute in Vienna, Didn't work

I imagine the doctor had quite a lot of patients. How quickly do you feel that they should all have been rung to inform them that he'd left?

Giving patients a days notice that there appointment was cancelled isn't great, but if your local it isn't really an inconvenience.

Your problem is that you're not local.

So his secretary has had no time in 3 weeks since he's left?
She must have been so busy making his appointments.

Giving patients a days notice that there appointment was cancelled isn't great, but if your local it isn't really an inconvenience

Not true. Getting an appointment cancelled the day before is quite an inconvenience. Especially if it's something like wot the OP has got.

I don't know if this is a troll but I'm guessing not some of your comments are despicably rude to the OP you show more care to a dog post/etc I imagine the situation to be an absolute nightmare to the OP !

OP i feel for ya...

To all the unsympathetic posters bad karma guys !

As much as I feel for you - I think if I was travelling all that way for only a doctors appointment, I would probably phone up the day before/on the day I travel to check it was 100% going to happen. Simple solution?

Mrs_oab has experienced some of this - near three hour drive to Dundee to attend consultation and pick up (much needed) meds.
.
Takes day off work, attends appointment, to be told meds would not be ready, and 'any chance you could pop back tomorrow?'.
.
Three months later, en-route to Dundee for next appointment was phoned and told meds were here, but consultant was on holiday (a fortnight) so could they re-arrange the appointment for that?
.
Third appointment was made, only sent out 48 hours beforehand and sent out to old (4 years ago address at other end of country) and so we get snotty letter saying we did not attend appointment.
.
The tone of email back when we had the temerity to suggest some planning and patient focus was needed, suggested that it was a free service, we 'chose' to live in a rural spot, rather than Dundee and that the consultant was not going to bend to individual requests for 'different' appointments.... 🙄
.
As a follow up, we are now under Glasgow as of last month, who called up and offered three appointments in one day, and that many of our appointments could and should be done by GP, as long as GP and Consultant could speak on phone. So next appointment is at GP surgery, with Consultant on end of phone at same time. *win* 😀

So, we've got the OP and his doctor. Is there a third man in this story somewhere?

Every good story needs a femme fatale...

[img] [/img]

unfitgeezer - Member

I don't know if this is a troll but I'm guessing not some of your comments are despicably rude to the OP you show more care to a dog post/etc I imagine the situation to be an absolute nightmare to the OP !

OP i feel for ya...

To all the unsympathetic posters bad karma guys !

😐

I do feel sorry for the OP.

It's quite ridiculous that no one informed him his Doctor had left - a simple phone call would have prevented this issue.

My post was meant in an ironic manner - an attempt to introduce a little humour into a horrible situation.
I will of course now be accused of using the Viennese defence, but I can assure you that no ill will was intended.

So,

You do realise that previous payment into the ni scheme don't entitle you to NHS health care?!
In not saying that on this individual case you do or don't apply for care, but just because someone at some point paid ni you won't continuously qualify..

DrP

My official residence in in uk.
I'm currently off sick so not contributing ni payments.
Why should I not get my healthcare?
I chose to be in Vienna as it's a nice place.
Where should I go for healthcare then?

It's not right for me (or anyone really) to make individual comments re your case tbh.
Is just relaying the myth that 'I've paid for 70 years so will always be owed NHS care no matter where I live' isn't true.

DrP

My official residence in in uk.

Not if your living more of the year in Vienna and have done for more than 18 months. I live in Germany because I think its a nice place to live, I am now entitled to coverage from the German health system and not the UK system despite my many years contribution to that system, I think it's pretty obvious that's how it works.

While I sympathise with your health problems, it sounds like you are trying to cheat the system. You need to choose what is more important for you, living in Vienna or getting healthcare from the NHS.

And I may be misjudging the situation, but if you chose to move to Vienna when you got sick and fly back to the uk for treatment, maybe you could also choose private care to make sure you get the treatment you expect.

I have a home in the uk, I have a home in Vienna, this is how I have set my life now.
I have contributed a phenomenal amount of money to the NHS.I was a middle manager in a major civil engineering company earning a decent salary before I got sick.
How can that be deemed as cheating?
I also use the health system in Austria(Austrian) so what's the problem?)
Why should I pay private?

I think DrP's point was that it's National [b]Insurance[/b].

As such, just like home insurance, not claiming one year doesn't mean you don't have to pay for it the next year.

Anyway, it is crap but I guess that you have put yourself in the situation by choosing to have treatment in one place while living in a very different other place. Things will always go wrong and I guess that the impact for you will always be worse because of the logistics of it.

Anyway, I hope you get it sorted.

It's quite ridiculous that no one informed him his Doctor had left - a simple phone call would have prevented this issue.

Without knowing the circumstances of their leaving, but lets assume it was in a hury rather than 3 months notice if the surgery had appointments booked. Then if they had the usual appointment every 10 minutes like every other NHS GP, then it would take almost that long (3 weeks) to deal with each paitient. Seems reasnoble in that case to deal with them a day at a time, which hopefully means the secretary/receptionist gets enough time in their day to do their actual job as well?

I have only worked 23 years in the uk and paid into the system for that long.

Why should I pay private?

FWIW I can fully understand someone wanting to be treated for a mental health condition in a country where both patient and medical staff can converse in their native tongue. It's not like saying 'ouch that hurts a bit' for a physical ailment, and it can be hard enough to explain your feelings to someone without having to wonder if they've understood you.

Continuity of treatment is also important in this sort of thing, so it's bad enough that the original doctor has gone let alone that the OP had short notice of this.

Why should I pay private?

Because (at least on the surface) you can afford quite a luxury lifestyle that complicates your healthcare provision. And given that, you need to accept that your best option will be to pay for the care you expect.

How can that be deemed as cheating?

For the reason already stated, if you live outside of the UK for most of the year and have done for more than 18 months, you are not entitled to use the NHS other than through a reciprocal agreement with your country of residence, which does not include the treatment you are getting. The UK is not your primary residence in these conditions and claiming it is, is lying and a crime.

Then if they had the usual appointment every 10 minutes like every other NHS GP, then it would take almost that long (3 weeks) to deal with each paitient. Seems reasnoble in that case to deal with them a day at a time, which hopefully means the secretary/receptionist gets enough time in their day to do their actual job as well?

FFS TINAS have you not heard of mail merge. 😉

Seriously, it should take no more than a couple of hours to pull the details of patients together and send out a standard letter/email letting everyone know that the consultant is changing and to contact them for a new appointment.

From the DOH website:

[b]Living in both the UK and another country?[/b]

If you spend more than 3 months living in another country on a regular basis each year, for example because you spend four months living in a second home during the winter but return to the UK for the rest of the year, then you may not be eligible for free hospital treatment while you live here.

You may be exempt from charges if you have an EHIC card or if your country of residence has a reciprocal agreement with the UK.

I made the decision to be treated in uk as I finally found a doctor I could work with. Hence this rant.
I have tried many. I trusted him.
Now I have nobody again and the mental health unit have no idea who my next doctor will be and when my next appointment will be.
If I go funny again I'll probably end up in hospital (AGAIN)
The uk really stresses me and Vienna doesn't. It's that easy.
I don't care who pays.
I just need a doctor.

It's shit having bipolar. Some days you just don't know if you're coming or going. Rapid cycling bipolar is great though. Fast on a bike with no effort.

# just two of my current favourite 'in' jokes.

I have ultra rapid cyling.
It can be fantastic when manic (like the worlds best uppers) but shit when you're attempting suicide (again) when low.
This is why I need a doctor who knows how I am.

My wife prefers (out of various ranges. - she'd much prefer none at all) depressive state when I'm poorly. At least she knows I'm in a safe place albeit I could get out of bed and out of the window head first than when I'm manic where I disappear for extended periods and if I have access, spend lots of money.
I was in the middle of a house purchase just for me once. Mad!

I once ended up in Slovenia, having no idea whatsoever how I got there.

iolo - Member

The uk really stresses me and Vienna doesn't. It's that easy.
I don't care who pays.

Good, be a nice chap and find a DR in continental europe you can pay privately then.

I've never been to Slovenia. Or Vienna. I'd like to though.

Why the animosity for someone who worked all his working life? I started at 16.
Have always worked hard and had to stop 3 years ago due to my illness.
I then looked at my life and restructured based on what I want from it. I'm 6 months in the uk anyway and need a uk doctor.
You suggest I get 2 shrinks?
You have no idea about mental health do you?
I have a prescribing doctor who gives me medication in Austria.

Monksie,
Go, You'll love it
Vienna in Autumn is amazing.
Slovenia is beautiful, full stop. Look on Google

The doctor has gone only you and I
No appointment for me
No appointment for me
Oh, Vienna

My wife is desperate for a holiday iolo so I'm going to have a look, thanks.
Keep a sense of perspective as best you can. Other great Dr's are out there. Your previous was not the only one.

Why the animosity for someone who worked all his working life?

Good question. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that its because they're Daily Mail reading reactionaries, idiots, or both.

Actually... thinking about it... I can't imagine how you could be the former, without being the latter

Hope you get sorted fella

iolo - Member

You have no idea about mental health do you?

I have quite a few ideas about mental health but they dont fit with the pink and fluffy world we live in today.

Why the animosity for someone who worked all his working life?

Mate, this is STW. 'nuff said.

And the vast majority are lucky enough that this applies :-

You have no idea about mental health do you?

Forget em, look after yourself.

FWIW my GP that I've been seeing regularly about my condition is just about to go on maternity leave. That means finding another GP at the practice that I can talk to, which is enough of a worry for me without all the complications of your illness.

Why the animosity for someone who worked all his working life?

karma!

If it was someone living in social housing in Wakefeild, you would be prescribing getting of their arses, stopping watching Jeremy Kyle while stuffing their faces with crisps and getting a job to stop their sense of entitlement.

You have yet to say anything to convince me this is anything but a troll.

Monksie,
Vienna now is amazing. It's even better when the Christmas markets start.

http://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/markets/christmas-markets

I've been to the Manchester Christmas Markets iolo. I nearly got arrested and several people nearly got hurt. Hateful thing!

MSP,
I hope you have a life free from mental illness.
Then you won't ever have to understand the troubles doctor changing can cause.

OP Good luck with finding a new doctor. It is a great shame that a professional built up a good relationship with you but could not themselves realise that it is good manners to let you know they have moved to pastures new.
From now on I guess you have to include a new set of criteria when arranging your travel: is the Doctor available who I have an appointment to see?
This is a general trend in communications and cuts in organisations. You have to be your own secretary because the people you need to see do not have their own or numbers have been cut back to such an extent that they never get round to the simplest most obvious tasks. Outsourcing extreme!
It'll be "Heal Thyself" next!

I think the animosity on here probably comes from the fact your living away (I assume for a better standard of living) but slagging off the NHS.

It’s a ‘cake and eat it’ situation really and for me not about the money.

Good luck with your treatment wherever you get it.

Why the animosity for someone who worked all his working life?

Because it looks like your playing the system based on your requirements and when it doesn't work you're having a rant.

Hope you get it sorted, can you not find out where your Doctor has gone to and carry on with the same. Sounds like you're willing to travel.

I'm living in 2 countries yes.16 I had no money and worked hard ever since. Then saved hard ever since.
3 Years ago I sold a big house I bought in Wales, bought a smaller one near Coed y Brenin and a flat in Vienna. All bought with wages earned in the uk. Tax and NI paid on these wages.
I love Austria and have many friends in Vienna. That's why I bought one there.
Everything was working fine.
That was until the lack of communication by the nhs that caused this rant.
Thanks for your kind words

I hope you have a life free from mental illness.

I hope you can offer some of the same empathy you seem to expect, to those with far less fortunate lifestyles than yours. But with your posting history it seems unlikely.

Your displaying a sense of entitlement which far exceeds those you normally enjoy castigating, which still leads me to believe your trolling, or have absolutely no self awareness.

My lifestyle came from hard work.
It's quite easy.
If you want something save.
Have I upset you? You seem quite irate.

iolo - I would suggest putting in a formal complaint as that treatment really wasn't good enough. It was bad manners and showed no regard for your welfare. Unacceptable in my book.

cinnamongirl,
I was told my social worker would call to discuss and maybe make an appointment to meet up.This was 10am.
4 o'clock I called him. He's gone home. Unbelievable.

My lifestyle came from hard work

Yeah always the same battle cry for the over entitled wealthy. Hard work rarely leads to sucsess, many people spend a lifetime working hard without being able to buy a home, never mind two in places chosen for leisure.

Have I upset you? You seem quite irate.

No I am quite enjoying myself, as I always do when those who preach against the culture of entitlement reveal their own grasping selfishness to take from the system.

*pulls up a chair*

Kettle's on . . . . damn!! I've to go to work. (Wish I'd worked harder when I was younger. Bugger).

MSP is spot on....

...the OP's 'poor me poor me' routine at having two homes and having the travel from Vienna to see his preferred Doc is laughable, either its a wind up or he has stunning lack of self awareness....hey, maybe its the mental 'elf?

MSP, I have stopped working due to illness.
Did you read my previous post about downsizing one house to buy 2?
This was my lifestyle choice. Now I am mortgage free.
I have invested my hard earned money so I am living on no benefits.
When my money is gone I will sell one house.
When skint again I'll sell the next.
Then I'll be in an old people home pissing myself and not care.
What about you MSP?
EDIT FOR DEVIANT = I have no problem in coming here. Its when you're told 24 hours in advance that your mental health doctor has gone and you will never get him again. Oh and we have no idea if you have a vew doctor or when you'll get to see them

24 hours notification of a cancelled appointment is not ideal, but you chose to plan your week around an appointment that is always subject to change.

either its a wind up or he has stunning lack of self awareness....hey, maybe its the mental 'elf?

oh the
[img] [/img]

I have to say that, following your thread last week regarding the mental health of an ex forum member who had e-mailed you (I think you described him, amongst other things, as 'weird'), that I struggle to have any sympathy.

Where do you get your meds from, UK or Vienna?

Seems a little chaotic to have to fly back to the UK, especially when you're in crisis. Ever have issues with getting flights or boarding when you're manic?

Perhaps the surgery sent a letter out to the address you last held in the UK?

Anyway, hardly a NHS rant, more a poke at your local surgery.

As a mental health cn I know you mean well but you're not coming across to the other forum users very well. A lot of what you say, I hear from my patients. X doctor doesn't understand me. X doctor is wrong about this med or that med. Self entitlement, grandiosity etc. It makes no sense to fly back to see your GP when I'm sure you can see a local psychiatrist for advice and a script every month.

If i call troll on MSP and Deviant can I claim £10?

Seriously have a word with yourself fellas

iolo - I really hope you find a new doctor who you can trust and get a good relationship with (in Wales or Vienna)
mental health issues are not a joke and ignorance of them only makes those who are dealing with them harder.

@Monksie - the christmas markets in germany and austria aren't like the ones in this country which are invariably full of ****s
It's worth a trip over with your better half to experience one there and you'll see how great they are.
I used to meet my friends at it every night when i lived in germany, they have a brilliant atmosphere

I get my meds in the uk. My levels are checked wherever I am.
There was definitely no letter sent, just a call today. This came from the mental health clinic.
An email from Fred who i do not know freaked me when I was manic hence that thread. Anyone offended by it, sorry.

And in relation to my last post, I noticed a couple of more posts on this thread describing the same ex forum member in a less than complimentary manner. He's not on here anymore, he can't defend himself against your comments, so stop posting ****ty comments eh?

So you go back to get Bloods done and check your levels? Valpro or lithium? Again, that seems a bit much from my point of view. You could get your Bloods done and scripts in Vienna and not have to pay for a return flight. Regardless of what you may have paid into the NHS and what you feel you are owed, you surely must be wasting money getting flights? I'm gonna shut up now. I've done my shift for today and spent the best part of 8 hours being verbally abused by an aboriginal lady and keeping a 6'5" Maori chap who wanted to leave the PICU calm and settled. Love my job.. :o)

I get my bloods in vienna. Lithium.
I just have/had now he's gone a connection with my psychiatrist.
@barnleymitch point taken. Why is he not here to defend himself?

iolo you condition is quite an unpleasant and as I'm sure you understand part of the reason why you feel the way you do. I suggest chatting with the clinic expressing your concerns, there may be well a very good reason for it. They also may not understand the good relationship you had with this Dr. As for them not informing you, maybe they were hopping to have someone to take over by now but that fell through. I'm also pretty sure they wouldn't realise that you were flying in from Vienna for you appointment you maybe need to make that clear to them in case of any future issues.

I can see why people are little pissy about you complaining about flying in the from Vienna for you appointment and then you complaining that it's not fair, it is a situation you've help create where if something falls through at short notice it's a bigger hassle than someone who lives local to their clinic.

Good luck with your condition and hope your sorted with a new Doctor there are many good ones out there.

Thankyou drac

Seems a little chaotic to have to fly back to the UK

Well I expect the life of a bipolar sufferer is pretty manic anyway, and somewhat different to the norm. And probably different for each sufferer.

Despite having had a row with iolo on the other thread I do sympathise with him. It must be difficult to build a close relationship with a Dr then have them just **** off like that. I can imagine that would cause terrible problems for some people, regardless of location.

And not telling clients that their Dr has left (or even is planning to) is poor.