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Getting back to the topic:
If certain things like sex-change operations (according to The Daily [s]Liar[/s] Mail) are to be condemned because they are not an acute need then IVF should also go the same way. There are far too many people on the planet as it is. If someone is so desperate for a child via IVF they should stump up the money themselves.
I'd reallocate money to preventative medicine.
Oh and get rid of that stupid water scam known as homeopathy, unless they can produce double-blind trials showing it works. Or at least give them something labelled as 'arnica 30C' which was filled up at the kitchen sink!
My wife has used the translation services on occasion and they've been very useful. She does speak reasonable english generally but medical situations can be both complex and highly specialised so I think it's unfair to equate the need for translators to someone being unable to speak the language. As a UK taxpayer I'd say she deserves the same standard of care as the rest of us and commend the NHS for making great effort in these areas.
TJ
Fair point and yes its free at the point of service.
But does it also cover foreign nationals.
I remember a report about the hospital nearest to Heathrow charging foreign nationals for treatment as there was a problem with I cant remember the correct term, something like sickness tourists.
I dont want to drift too far off track, but is there a limit to the service?
If people are not entitled to free NHS treatment then there is a mechanism to charge. That includes such people as those who have not paid NI, non UK / EC nationals
You can get homeopathy on the NHS?
mcboo - MemberYou can get homeopathy on the NHS?
In some areas yes - and yo know what - its actually cost effective 😯 - yes I know its pure bullshine but the money it costs is tiny and it stops a lot of repeat referrals as the placebo effect is so effective
Is it basically up to the hospital to decide what services are available and how to implement the charging mechanisms?
no
here is an article on the health tourists.
I know its the Daily Mail and Im taking it at face value, but does it suggest the the Trusts decide how to apply charges etc, not a common policy on charging etc.
I've deliberately avoided this thread. Could someone summarise the [s]achingly predictable, entrenched[/s] opinions of the [s]usual suspects[/s] main protagonists please? fank you muchly
Sancho - sorry - I meant the thing most recently discussed in the thread... homeopathy.
Trusts application of charges to non eu patients is uneven.
In some areas yes - and yo know what - its actually cost effective - yes I know its pure bullshine but the money it costs is tiny and it stops a lot of repeat referrals as the placebo effect is so effective
Then my last bit stands. Fill it from the tap when the patient isn't looking and stick a label on it. None of this hideously expensive hitting with a leather strap rubbish! Save a little bit more! They can't exactly use spectroscopy to find the 'active' ingredient if there isn't any!
(someone might have already said this, I couldn't be bothered to wade through all the absolute crap)
It takes time to learn a foreign language to even a basic conversational standard, but to discuss medical treatment you need a grasp far beyond that.
I speak reasonable german but I haven't a clue what the german for "You've broken your hip- if the next bit goes right you'll walk normally again, if it doesn't you won't, so listen carefully- we're going to perform keyhole surgery tomorrow and fit a load of bolts, then sew you back up and give you a course of painkillers which trust me you do not want to get the dosage wrong for, and some critical physio which you will have to do carefully, diligently and correctly or your leg will explode, and some information on exactly what you can and can't do with that leg for the next 3 months, so that you don't cripple yourself. Please sign here to say you understand the procedure and you give your consent. PS this button here gives you morphine directly into your bloodstream, don't **** that up".
Pretending translators are only for people who don't speak english at all or can't be bothered to learn is either dishonest or plain ignorant. Frankly, from what I saw when I was inside, a lot of native english speakers struggled to understand what they were being told- it's sometimes complex, and alien, and you're hearing about it at a time when you're stressed to the max and possibly in pain to boot. That's just exactly when you want to be having trouble understanding.
Does seem to me that in circumstances where charges are being levied, it's reasonable to include translation fees as part of that. No idea if this happens or not.
Northwind - said exactly that on page 1 🙂
Used to be a voluntary TEFL teacher for non-english speaking women who were pregnant and trying to learn to speak English so that they could understand enough for when they go into hospital. But as you say, it takes a while to learn a new language fluently.
Nah, you used [i]way [/i]less words than I did. 😳
Real quick one..
When i was going back to hospital a couple of weeks after my 3 week stay, i was told this.. We can organise an ambulance taxi if you are stuck for a lift to your appointment, but we only ask you to do this if you cannot get here otherwise.
I was in a spine brace then, and on crutches, so i couldn't get the bus, couldn't get the train, and could only get a lift. Luckily i have relatives that were able to take me.
A taxi service is offered as part of the treatment to those who cannot get to the hospital to continue with their care. Obviously the ambulance buses are preferred which pick you up from your home.
Anything that prevents access to an interpreter just makes the clinicians job harder.
Who ever thinks that is a good idea really hasn't thought it through.
(We don't want this thread dropping off the front page after only 4 pages do we?)