the wonderful NHS

I was diagnosed with AF in January 23 the earliest appointment available to see a EP was June 23 who advised that I have an ablation and could do the operation in 12 months time . The wonderful NHS free at the point of use .

[Buffafly]

I get your point, but I would like to put an alternative view.

Generally AF is not a life threatening condition if medicated to prevent high heart rate and reduce stroke risk. For many people it’s not even very life limiting. I have no idea from your information how it is affecting you but six months to consultant and a further year to ablation is a timescale many posters would be very happy with. I don’t want to start a 50 post thread on the problems of the NHS but we do pay for it and it’s obviously very expensive to cover the latest cancer treatments, gene testing, care of very premature or birth damaged babies, organ transplants, to name but a few so I guess hard choices have to be made when it comes to ‘routine’ procedures. My husband had his aortic aneurysm repaired and I had my collapsing spine straightened and fused ‘free at the point of use’ so yes, I do think the NHS is wonderful when you really need it.

[Buddy00 in reply to Buffafly]

Why do you think that yours and your husbands treatment is more essential than others ? Your crumbling spine is no more important than the person who is suffering with AF and trying to get on with everyday life . You feel it’s acceptable for there life to be put on hold for at least 18 months , as someone who’s already waited 1 year and just been told it’s at least another year to wait for my op on my leg I personally find it totally unacceptable.

[Buffafly in reply to Buddy00]

I think you’ve missed my point, or maybe I didn’t express it well enough. The NHS is trying (and failing, I agree) to treat everything possible, and some of those things are urgent and expensive and lifesaving and others are life limiting. I actually waited years for a referral for my degenerative scoliosis until it was putting my life on hold. So it was equally as important as AF not responding to treatment or a crumbling hip. But there are a great many people needing AF treatment and hip replacements and only so many EPs, surgeons, operating theatres and the staff needed to support them.

I understand your frustration over your operation but you need to remember there is a huge backlog caused by Covid. Reform is surely needed and it is slowly happening - for instance most hip replacements are now treated as day cases at our local hospital.

If your hospital has a ‘Members panel’ it is a good idea to join it. You get updates on what’s going on there and can attend meetings and put your opinions or preferably helpful ideas forward. Or join the League of Friends if there is one.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Buffafly]

Hi

NZ is lacking as well.

No follow up after stroke and I didnt want Metoprolol. Still got it. Left uncontrolled until 1 year 4 months and ECHO, ECG and 24-hr monitor H/R at rest 186! I demanded H/Specialist Hospital. She changed me to Bisoprolol as Met... showed breathlessness, pauses and great fatigue. On Bisoprolol 24-hr monitor showed 156 avg Day avge. Still uncontrolled but left.

At 2 years 3 months post stroke my locum dr sent me to private H/Sp.

Introduced CCB Diltiazem. 180mg 1/2 dose too much. Dropped 105 in 2 hours.

Twinked meds.

Diltriazem 120mg AM for control H/R Day at rest. 1 year later 60s.

Bisoprolol 2.5 mg PM for control BP.

Looking back and the thyroidectomy with 12 right lymphs removed (2 infected) 4 months post stroke, I had to remind them on each stage of my journey.

I was not on amy med except B12 Solgar Gold Top due to deficiency.

I could rewrite my medical experience in a preventive, holistic way. Perhaps I would not have the dilated LV and RV regurgitation (go together) damage stopping me from a cardioversion, ablation or anti arrhymic meds.

And I didn't want Metropolol offered but the endocrinolgist ignored me. I said it would make me breathless, fatigued and the 24-hr monitored showed pauses at night with an avge H/R 47.

Surely the patients knows when meds are not for them.

A different clinc didn't note it.

cheers JOY

PS Patients should have tests done first which could stop cardioversions, ablations and anti-arrhymic meds.

[Buddy00]

The NHS is very good if you go through AE and need emergency treatment, wether that be heart attack , strokes etc. But apart from that it’s a shambles. I’ve been on a waiting list for almost a year now to have surgery on my leg , I rang the booking team this week only to be told the people that they are currently booking ops for have been waiting for 2 years . How can anyone think that this level of service is acceptable. I laugh when I’m told the NHS is the envy of the world I’d say it’s just an embarrassment. It’s not just the waiting it’s the restrictions on your life while waiting.

[BrotherThomas in reply to Buddy00]

I couldn't agree more, the Nothing Happens Soon is well past its sell by date and needs complete reform. Much of it still operates to 100 year old rules. It's out of control and nobody seems capable of exerting control on behalf of us taxpayers and customers.

[Buffafly in reply to BrotherThomas]

See my reply to Buddy above. You can get involved! Write to your MP with practical suggestions for improvement. You’ll get a standard letter back but your comments will be passed on.

[En85 in reply to Buddy00]

I can tell the NHS makes people horrified in the other EU countries. I don't understand why systems like the Italian or French one, as an example, are not taken as model to restructure the NHS. And as you said, I don't understand why, we, as citizens are accepting to not be treated or be treated below international standards. I'm personally complaining to health board and MP, and I don't understand why not everyone is doing it.

[Jajarunner]

Yes, the NHS have been wonderful to me. Three urgent ablations, one during COVID restrictions. I'm very grateful as I could not afford this privately.

[Buzby62]

This poster which I believe was a new account has now deleted their account and hence shows as Hidden. Don’t get sucked in folks, refer to a previous post on the following link

healthunlocked.com/afassoci....

Hope this is helpful

Mentioning TracyAdmin for info.

[Desanthony]

That quick these days. My diagnbosis was quick but for a CV or ablation I had to wait until I could actually consult with a cardiologist and there hadn't been a cardiologist at my local hospital for 14 months - so diagnosed by GP in April put on apixaban and bisoprolol (which didn't agree with me and eventually could have seen a NHS cardiologist in August. Could have had a CV with him in the November cancelled because hospital closed down due to Norovirus. Thankfully I consulted with a private cardio in the May and got help with medication and then when I moved house to a different area I had great support from the local hospital and NHS and was due to have an ablation (only 3 month wait then) when Covid struck.

I totally understand your point and we all have plenty of gripes about the NHS and how it works but here I am pleased to say I can get an emergency appointment either that day am or pm depending when you call them and a routine appointment in 3 weeks - guaranteed and it works.

They are doing the best they can and definitely better than nothing or being turned down for any appointment because your insurance payment isn't up to date or you just can't afford to pay.