So, because I am over 75 my routine check ups for heart, diabetes and cancer follow ups will cease. Why just over 75s? Are we judged to be dispensable? Why not stop check ups for other groups? Politicians springs to mind, or maybe NHS management.Ageism at its most blatant, my life has been judged to be worth less than someone younger.
Dont get me started on the way us oldies are routinely given DNRs without knowing, and then there is the Pallative Care Pathway, you might find yourself being placed on this if you have treatment in hospital, starved of food and water and kept in a comatose state so you cant complain, sorry, so you dont feel pain or anything at all.
I havent had any check ups for the last two years anyway, no, I lie, my cardiologist did phone me for about 2 minutes to check if I was OK ( or maybe to hear if I was still alive?).
Do a bit of searching on the WWW. you will be surprised and dismayed by the information you will discover.
Yes, I know its a rant, but I am old so I am entitled to a rant, I am a bit annoyed as well.
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That makes more sense, I had a by pass in 2017 when I was just 59 I was discharged a few months later and never recalled for a check up. I referred myself a few months ago when I had angina pain.I have yearly checks for diabetes with a practice nurse so can't say if these are planned to stop when I reach 75 (if I am that lucky)
Covid is bound to have an impact on the NHS and to be honest as long as I will be seen if I need help I am okay with routine checks stopping. (for a short time)
I had asked Alexa to let me have some news whilst she was set to time something I was doing to my hair. I have to say that I felt much the same as you when I heard this, although my fears did not go as far as fearing just being left to starve to death. I cannot get my head round what is going on at the moment, nor,I suspect, can many others.. Keep calm and carry on. Pray that this thing will disappear as quickly as it arrived.
Let's not forget the news/press are out to sensationalise and cause distress anyway. Look what happened to the so called fuel crises THEY caused! I don't watch the news as they are just out to cause stress to all of us!
I get where you are coming from Lezzers and agree to a great extent. However 4 months can be a long time to someone who is worried and anxious, especially if they have already had tests postponed. I had an appointment postponed for an extra 6 months at the beginning of the pandemic which made a total time of one year from first appointment. Since having had an examination by a private doctor and diagnosed with heart murmur and various blocked arteries, things moved a bit faster for a while. Things will no doubt slow down a bit in the light of recent news. Who knows how long this Covid is going to go on and the fact that we are fed so much fearful news does nothing to calm the anxious mind. We need to know we are being told the truth but who knows what the truth is.?
I totally get your anxiety, probably more than you realise. But the fearful news is being made worse by the media who sell newspapers etc by using sensational headlines. It's definitely not ideal but the postponement is for health checks and minor surgery and that's the truth as it stands at the moment. If you are in need of hospital/GP attention you will still get that. I know it's easy to say try not to worry but unfortunately if they don't get the covid situation under control then getting hospital/GP attention will be seriously impacted & probably at a time when you will most need it.
I accept that the routine check cessation will be temporary, at least we hope so, although I suspect that any timing will be very flexible and not for the better. The fact remains that over 75s have been unfairly specifically selected. Why not spread the delay in routine tests over the entire population? Yet another example of poor decision making. I am pleased that "if I need one" I will get a check up. Who will decide if I need one? How would they know I need one? A&E will no doubt be overloaded with 75+ patients with conditions that should be treated by the GP.
I have already (this year) been sent to A&E (with a letter) by my GP to get treatment for hypertension. A&E Doctors were not impressed!
Im 75 and have had 4 heart attacks and very poor care from gp. who simply said "this is as good as it gets" when i told him how bad I felt. Another gp luckily realised I had severe anaemia after a blood test I insisted on, and I got blood transfusions which saved my life. But I asked to see a cardiologist and got the response of we'll decide! Didnt realise its cos Im old and expendible! Thanks for the info.
forget gp access to hospital appointments they can't give you what they have not got. Cardiologists (& lung specialists & haematologists) are under extreme pressure as they are on the front line of covid treatment. It isn't just over 75's either - annual check ups for replaced tissue valves come under the term "pending" ... "pending " is the fashionable term for we can't see you because doctors have too much work & not enough doctors at any level. GP numbers were in decline before covid (& there are several reasons for this -mostly political/financial) & covid had led to worsen of the situation. I read an article by a gp who stated that remote appointments increase their work hours because many will still need to see gp face to face so they have 2 appointments instead of one. You also have to consider the older you are the more at risk you are of getting covid especially from somewhere (gp surgery/hospital) where there is more likely to be virus present
This may be the time to spend some of your hard earned cash ,if you have any, and go private for any essential tests or checkups you may need over the next few months. Not an ideal solution but maybe better than worrying.
I am SO glad my husband continued our private health care after he retired. However you get judged by some for having it, they forget that we actually have contributed to NHS care. My cardiologist referred me to a consultant endocrinologist as my recently diagnosed T2 diabetes levels didn’t make sense, my diabetes nurse said ‘you won’t get any different information to what we can give you’ !!!
I can’t agree with you more , it seems that in a polite and positive way you have to be very assertive or have relatives to push for care if you are In hospital or want preventive care etc .I’ve witnessed things over the last 12 months and obviously Covid has a lot to answer for but I’d rather not be written off if no one minds .
I have just had an emergency femoral hernia op. The lack of information is unbelievable. I took a minimal amount of my own medication as I was under the misrepresentation they’d supply what I needed, this meant I ran out of my heart rhythm meditation which the nurse giving it didn’t seem to know or care what happens if I don’t have it, just it’s on order, which had been for 2 days! I also have T2 diabetes now. Food 🤷🏼♀️ I had to have morphine one night which I was told by a lovely dr was due to the fact they weren’t giving me my painkillers on a regular basis!! They were prepared to discharge me without pain control medication, saying it can be couriered! One poor elderly lady with dementia was being spoken to inconsiderate tone. My experience was horrible. Yes there were some lovely nice hardworking people being let down by inconsiderate and uncaring colleagues and I feel very sorry for. I’m 64 and have had a terrible year for health.
My mum died if oesophagus cancer aged 78. We discovered then that no one cared at this age. Was supposed to have opp 2 weeks later then ended up being 5 months later - pre covid times. So it had spread and she died
I am SO sorry for you and your mum, how callous these people are is beyond me:(. I am 64, just had the most disgusting time as an emergency, severe hernia. DO they NOT have parents? How would they like their relatives treated SO callously?
It does make you cross doesn’t it. But I’m afraid that the advances in modern medicine which mean we’re all able to live much longer also mean that there is a greater cost. That cost has to be borne somewhere. The pandemic has put an even greater strain on our system. I agree that it’s hard that over 75s have been singled out ( I hadn’t heard this) but how would we make the decision to keep the whole of our free service running? . Prioritising isn’t new. My husband has multiple conditions & yet didn’t see a cardiologist for almost 5 years post HA & HF. How do you decide about resources? I bet your 25 year old self would think this was a reasonable solution. You’re right Motorman it is politics. They have to decide how to spend our taxes. Personally I’d rather this sort of decision was taken in the short term to manage the pandemic, than lose our free NHS. We’re living longer and longer and that’s great, but it has a massive cost to health and social care budgets & we oldies have had the best of times. That’s not to say we should be written off, as I’m pretty certain that clinical need prevails where necessary. But its a tough decision on how to spread the NHS budgets.
Well that is not true, some people who have never worked haven't paid a penny. I won't discuss the moral aspects of this but the more people on benefits the less money paid into the NHS.
I believe that until we take our last breath we should expect the same level of care, treatment, respect and dignity.
Gp's are being paid £12.50 for every covid jab they do... How much is an over 75 check up worth to them? I think perhaps this is the world that we now live in...
I agree, it does feel like us 75s are less important. The great thing about the NHS was it’s very equal treatment of everybody. I loved that about it when I worked there, and whenever I’ve used it. That has now changed. My worry is that, because Hospital and GP services are already under such pressure (Covid, staffing problems as EU staff left, funding etc etc) reducing a preventive service will increase pressure from emergencies.
Just a slight correction, GPs haven’t been told that they HAVE to stop over 75 routine checks (like heart checks), to be freer to do jabs.
They CAN still do routine checks. But if they choose not to, they won’t lose the money they usually get paid for doing them.
It’s probably different in different Surgeries. But the Surgery ‘business’ will be paid according to the number of over 75 heart and diabetes health checks they do, regardless of who actually does them.Health Centres are funded differently.
I agree with you entirely. I’m 69 so this latest announcement shouldn’t affect me. However, I haven’t had a checkup in years and I had a triple bypass 4 years ago.
I am 77, never had a health check in my life !
in reply to
I’m 68 and never had a healthcare check from my GP either.
Maybe if I had, my Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis could have been picked up years ago through a simple stethoscope check!
Although I don’t know this to be the case, my suspicion is that there is a programme for GPs to be paid to run screening programs for those 75+ (I know my previous GP used to have a dedicated phone line for 75+ patients). If I’m right, this Government announcement is most likely to signal to GPs that they can still receive their payments without necessarily meeting their targets for this programme. The media creating emotive and divisive news headlines again!I’m still a few years from 75 myself but believe that this announcement will give further excuse to some GPs to restrict access from all their patients.
You’re right! GP’s get a fee each year to do so many over 75 checks. The Government has now guaranteed that, for the next 3 months GPs will get the same fee as they got during the same 3 months of last year, if they are doing jabs instead. It’s not mandatory, so I expect some will choose to just continue to do the checks.
I'm 77 on Christmas Eve and I've been wondering the same thing. Also, at 77, despite some health conditions, I am younger than someone of 65 (if that makes sense). It is just another thing to depress us at this awful time.
It's nothing to do with Covid. Routine cancer tests stop at 75. No more invitations for smear tests, mammograms or bowel cancer tests. So if we get cancer, no-one will know until it's too late to do anything about it.
So it's saying that if you haven't had signs of it in previous tests, it is very unlikely for someone over 75 to get colon cancer. That's in the US - no reason to suppose we are different in the UK.
You can request mammogram if over 75. As to GPS busy with Covid vaccinations, my GP didn’t offer them nor flu jabs - we went to the pharmacy next door to get flu jabs and a pharmacy led centre for Covid jabs 10 miles away.
I was diagnosed with heat failure in 2014 at 54 and every year to 18 months had medication review which included blood test blood pressure sometimes ECG etc. Though I understand the group that the practice joined has problems I have not had a review etc since October 2019. My nephew with health problems but aged 25 has had the Same. I feel if you are at a practice that has still been doing reviews etc you are lucky.
Don't shoot the messenger! I'm not defending the decision just correcting the way it's been put across in the post. I completely agree if people have had a good GP service then they're very lucky (I've not given any indication that I'm one of those lucky ones!) Have you contacted your surgery to ask why you've not had a review?
Rant away Motorman I am with you all the way in everything you have said, I feel exactly the same. I did once post that I get the feeling that the more of us that die off they will save on medication and NHS resources and our state pittance of a pension (which we spent all our working lives paying for so it is not a benefit) , don't wish to start an argument but that is the impression I get. I guess we will all have to try to be more forceful when we need medical attention.
While in the hospital last week they used the limited medication I took in rather than get any from the pharmacy, this ran out and I was left with no heart meds! Lack of communication is massive problem.
I was totally unaware of this and didn’t have enough to cover the whole time. I was on the understanding that they would see what I had and provide what I needed. No one communicates anything! This all has traumatised me let alone my emergency I was experiencing!
I have NEVER felt like this but accept the NHS is a very expensive commodity in this day and age. Medication has always been provided for me without question and last time I was discharged they provided me with a full month's supply of my new meds apart from one when they gave me what was available which was about 14 days supply.I think Covid will long term could save money on pensions and medications as the worse hit are the elderly and those with underlying health conditions so maybe nature has its own way of culling.
They don’t believe in preventative medicine. I’m a Multi disciplined Therapist, using Reflexology I can find areas of concern from the feet. I can be dismissed as a quack but I can tell you of successes meaning my patients get treatment they require providing the orthodox medical practitioners do the tests and examination required to check.
We are NOT allowed to say it does anything, if there’s improvement, fabulous. I go by my patients experience and my own. I am also a Magnetic therapist, use very powerful magnet to aid healing, YES they do work on people, children and animals. The last 2 cannot make it all up! I’ve had consultants amazed at how quickly I and husband have healed from major surgeries and I’ve currently suffered a Femoral hernia and using my wand to heal it! I, like others are sceptical and go by the results.
Rant away, i agree totally with you, since this covid19 started in my opinion this government has done nothing but targeted the old and disabled people, pile the bodies high was the quote, this stopping of check ups etc is another example, I've had a routine blood test cancelled 4 times, i wonder if the prime ministers father has had anything cancelled, we all know the answer to that, anyway, you look after yourself and stay safe.
Who put the new restrictions in place that could have severe consequences on the over 75 population who as usual are expected to just get on with it.I'm not making any political issue just my opinion of how I feel about the way people are been treated
Can we see actual facts this is happening? I am a mere 64 and can see cut backs that have HAD to be made due to money and Covid, I am someone of at least average common sense and can see that changes have to be made but would someone please post a link where is says over 75's are going to be targeted?This whole thread has become a political issue and I for 1 never thought this site was to be used this way.
You are absolutely right and that is becoming a reality with this shade of government. However there is one way out if you are 75 plus and rich. You go private as a consultation fee payer or have a expensive medical insurance and that ageist thing does not apply, I had to wait years and years for a proper diagnosis following a procedure under NHS and within 10 minutes of private consultation a correct diagnosis made and a treatment within one month as a private patient. The waiting list under NHS for such treatment is as long as one can imagine. However that can be challenged by law.
Unfortunately we are not all rich and cannot afford Private Medical Treatment. If we hadn't worked all our lives and paid into/supported the NHS for 45 plus years there would be no NHS they seem to have forgotten what we have contributed during all those years so already paid for our treatments in older age to a large extent.
Well I don’t know anyone personally in the UK I just what I hear people say so I will have to take your word for it.. Canada however half my family lives there and I can tell you they feel it’s a disaster! They come across the boarder constantly to seek health care in the United States.
Unfortunately, as in most walks of life there are good and bad dr's, hospitals, health care etc but usually people only tend to talk about their bad experiences. If you look at other posts you'll be able to see that others have nothing but praise for the NHS. In the UK some health authorities are better then others and even within the not so great areas there will still be very good health providers, I'm pretty sure that would be the same in Canada, the US or any other country. As an example, on my local FB group GP surgeries are constantly being moaned about, usually because there's a grumpy receptionist, however for every bad review someone else will post how they have nothing but praise for the same surgery! Interesting to know that you can cross the border for health care though, how does that work? Do health insurers/authorities automatically agree to pay costs for medical attention outside the country of residence or do you have to get their agreement first?
Like I said.. I do take your word for it as I don’t know anyone from the UK personally .. you would know better than me since you experience it.. if it’s great there over all .. great! I just know in Canada that’s not been my loved ones experience.. and they live in well off areas and are probably more privileged than many financially. .. so it’s definitely not a issue of them being in a worse off area (as I have heard that can be the case anywhere) even here in the states, no one who can afford not to is trying to go to a inner city clinic.. I just personally prefer to have the choice of what doctor I can see across the entire country and have it paid for by my private health insurance etc … I can request any test etc even if my my doctor disagrees I need it etc…
That's interesting to read that you can request any test even if your Dr disagrees, why is that not available for everyone? I belong to a cancer forum that's is predominantly American and it's heartbreaking to read the stories where insurers have refused certain tests, medications etc & even when the insurers agree treatment they're often having to still pay £0000's of dollars for medication. I often see posts where members are offering their unused medication free to other members. I've also seen stories where people are having to continue to work because their health insurance is linked to their employment and member's are advising them to go on welfare and/or apply direct to the drug companies as they often give free medication for hardship cases, why is health insurance not linked to your company pension?In the UK a GP will insist that you live within a certain distance, this is because if you need a home visit then they're not going to spend precious time traveling to you, but you can have tests, consultations etc at any hospital across the UK. We now live outside the health authority that my husband's cardiologist works under but we still see him. I do know of someone who travels 300 miles to her hospital of choice, I think that would be a trip to far for us though!
It depends on what kind of insurance you have here in the United States ….they’re not all created equal.. people with government insurance such as DSHS or Medicare are of course controlled by the government and they do get denied all the time and they do not have any choice really …but my private insurance …I have doctor choice treatment choice etc …. I have had several different insurance plans over the years and I have always had treatment choice .. testing choice and doctor choice.. so it’s possible the people on the other forum complaining of such things have Medicare or some other form of government healthcare etc.. or just a lower priced ins plan.
It's not necessarily the GP'S who are doing the vaccinations though I'm sure some have. It's more a case of the surgery staff being released to assist, such as the nurses who do the health checks.
Out of my 3 covid jags 2 were administered by someone from the armed forces. I am in Scotland, had my yearly checks done by surgery nurse as usual, had to have kidney function blood test done again. This time done at the bloods clinic again as usual. Had a telephone conversation with the nurse practitioner to discuss all my results and any issues I might have. If there was anything she was concerned about an appointment with my GP would be made.
Clinical decisions? How d you even see the doctor to asses our clinical needs in the first place. Sorry, if I sound cynical but I am still to see my cardiologist for the first time, since I had emergency pacemaker fitted in Oct 2020. My next diabetes check up ordered by my diabetic nurse few month ago is due in Feb 2022, we will see what happens when I go to book it.
Like I said, I'm not defending the decision just correcting what the poster said. Have you tried contacting your cardiologists secretary, they're usually good at arranging appts.
You have every reason to rant and you should make yourself heard! 75 thats not old!!I live in France where at the age of 65 I had to undergo double heart valve replacement; since then I have had regular scheduled 6 monthly check-ups by my cardiologist.
I am now 84 and STILL having those check-ups, even throughout the covid pandemic.
Which is clearly far superior to the NHS. People don’t have to sacrifice themselves to save a service that isn’t working. The number of deaths due to protecting the NHS is going to be very scared.
I am sorry to disagree. I do not believe it will only be temporary. Face to Face consultations were also only going to be temporary. And, I am sorry to say, yes Ageism absolutely exists in the NHS. It has done for many years and the new added pressures on an already broken health service only serve to make it worse.
I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with me about, I haven't given an opinion I've simply clarified what the OP posted. Perhaps ask your surgery what their stance is on this issue.
Unfortunately the government has washed its hands of older people. Don’t forget they work for us not the other way round. There is no need to postpone any health checks to carry out the jabs. It’s more money for the big pharmaceuticals and mates with shares. It won’t end with postponements be assured. Something else will follow. We all need to see they are selling off the NHS. USA have bought many areas of the NHS already. We need to do research. Look beyond the media ( they have been paid to keep quiet) and don’t watch the news! Take care.
I think it's not really about politicians but the people who keep voting for sociopathic politicians. If you're lacking a moral compass, ruthless, don't feel responsible and don't lose sleep over the consequences of your choices and actions, then what's a 75yo or a child or the NHS got to do with anything? all that matters is the extent of your own power, wealth or popularity. And you'll manipulate and fabricate using words as your disguise and weapon. The Sociopath likes to keep their intentions hidden and control their deeds at arms length.
Older people, the sick don't have much to contribute to immediately and directly benefit our sociopaths, so from that false logic they're all dispensable.
I think once something has been taken away, it's unlikely a bunch of sociopaths will choose to replace unless there's a known and obvious benefit to them. I wish all political candidates, regardless of political party, had to undergo personality testing and that all disordered types were prohibited from public office. Dreaming of a Harry Potter style 'sorting hat.'
But you are worthy, important and deserve the levels of care which years of taxes paid for. We just need to keep holding politicians to account and not dismiss bad behaviour because it's 'typical.' What's not acceptable should not be tolerated IMO.
Pointing out that the NHS is underfunded does nothing to get it effectively funded. Complaining doesn't achieve much either.
We've now got 1.2M people in UK (ONS data) disabled by Long Covid, and all the data is being suppressed by the media. Again no tangible support just tick boxes. The media and political narrative is only about mild cold symptoms and deaths, but nothing of the reality of the hinterland of Long Covid.
I don't have the energy to fight all the battles I'd like to so I focus on 2 pet peeves. I'm surprised at how far some things get taken and that there are genuinely compassionate MPs who do actually work for the benefit of society as a whole. They're the ones to get on board.
With regards to tests and treatments, everywhere does their own thing. There should be hard and fast set tests and treatments that every medical institution should adhere to, not adhoc practices.
I was having yearly check ups, I have a heart condition and am pre diabetic, they stopped when covid started. There is no sign of if or when I'll be invited back in, I'm now approaching 60. I wonder how many people have died as a consequence of covid on the NHS, rather than by covid?
Thanks. Does seem to vary. our GP in Medstead, Hants and both jabs for both of us at Holiday Inn Winchester and both boosters plus both flue jabs at Midhurst Pharmacy so no involvement at all with any staff from GP Practice. gave the car and us a ride out though.
I am 81 and just had pacemaker fitted and get regular reviews by cardiology at Royal Stoke hospital. And had full medical check up by my Doctor last year. So must be where you live that determines what treatment you get ? what area do you live in ?
Rant away! I'm approaching 75 & shall certainly be looking into things. My medical care has been excellent up to now. Though I believe that the Liverpool Pathway has finished...
Liverpool Care Pathway has indeed finished, at least in name. Those still using it ( and there are a lot of H.A. using it) now call it "Palliative Care Pathway". The same starving, dehydrating and drugged up to the eyeballs treatment. Wikapedia quote " Its inflexible application by nursing staff of Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust was subject to scrutiny after the poor care delivered to a relative of Rosie Cooper Member of Parliament.
While the initial reception was positive, it was heavily criticised in the media in 2009 and 2012 following the practical application by Liverpool Community Health care staff. In July 2013, the Department of Health released a statement which stated the use of the LCP should be "phased out over the next 6-12 months and replaced with an individual approach to end of life care for each patient".[2] However, The Daily Telegraph reported that the programme was just rebranded and that its supposed replacement would "perpetuate many of its worst practices, allowing patients to suffer days of dehydration, or to be sedated, leaving them unable to even ask for food or drink."[3]
Wiki is not always accurate but I think it might be in this case.
I am sorry, it does make me rather angry that GP's should get paid £15 extra for each patient, just for doing their job, which they ARE well paid for? They have been offered a further extra sum for convincing people to take Statins too! WHY ? Have they also been paid extra for giving the Flu injection every year as a matter of course? Take you blood pressure?
What exactly id their job if the above is not part of it?
Yes, I do know we don't have enough GPs, some are overworked (NOT all), but it still doesn't explain what is part of their job and why they can do it IF they are paid extra?
WHY can Hospital health professionals, Consultants, Registrars, Nurses, Radiologists, Dentists and even the nurses in the GP surgery all see you face to face, but GPs cannot?
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Long wait is almost over - update
Pondering over a third Angiogram attempt. 
Ejection fraction - improve quickly or over time? 
Over thinking or need to be worried 🤔😕💭
