Follow up

I went for a CT scan to be informed I had an enlarged heart and Dilated Pulmonary Artery..waited 27 weeks for Echocardiogram which I had in 2023..I'm still waiting to see my consultant to come up with a plan of care..as was told by consultant after CT scan that I would have to go to Sheffield to be treated..I'm still waiting to after 1 year to discuss Echocardiogram and what's happening with Sheffield..I have contacted my consultant secretary several times but no avail..I'm a retired nurse and I actually think this is disgusting the length of time people have to wait to get treatment and follow ups..the nhs used to be the envy of the world once,at this present time it's just totally broken and people are getting sicker.

[Bumpitybump]

I am so sorry you have had such a long wait. Similarly, I have known for over a year I need surgery for a valve replacement. The long delays between an Echocardiogram, or a CT Angiogram, and hearing anything about the results is so extraordinary long now. The communication between cardiology and patients appears to be non existent, for me anyway. I think they are missing a trick here, information, good or bad, feels like a little bit of control or an increase in awareness anyway. Recently I received the long awaited date for my Op, which has since been bumped on by ten days, no doubt due to fitting in people needing emergency treatment. I am just hoping I don’t become one of the emergencies before the Op. The medical staff must find their jobs are much harder with patients deteriorating medically and the mental health concern that go with all these heart conditions. The NHS appears to be stretched to breaking point, with your previous experience as a nurse likely you are more aware of this than most. Best of luck.

[Sharpglo]

I am in NZ, do you have patient advocates over there? If we are not happy with medical treatment we can complain to them. Just added pressure but the old health systems are in a poor state. Hope your change of government will have greater priority for health.

[devonian186]

Has it EVER Been the envy of the world? If so no other country has copied it. As a ex nurse do you know the system enough to be able to speak to someone, as clearly that wait is beyond any reasonable expectation.

[BaronFrankenstein in reply to devonian186]

It was the envy originally because before the NHS, unless you had the money to pay for treatment, you suffered in agony until you died. Ok we have long wait times now but at least you can get medication to alleviate symptoms and help prolong your life and if theres a medical emergency you can get seen reasonably quickly in A&E.

People in America for instance where its all insurance based are dying of conditions that are easily treatable here, becuase they cant afford the insurance premiums.

[devonian186 in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

Originally perhaps although there was a system in place long before the NHS which my own parents used and is referred to in books dating to Victorian times.

All I am saying is that no one has copied us which must give us pause for thought. it needs radical revamping whilst retaining the basic principles but no one is brave enough to do that and will instead pour money down a bottomless hole

[BaronFrankenstein in reply to devonian186]

Ive no idea what the Victorian system was? From what ive read it was even worse with no care at all, and what was available to the rich wasnt very good as it was the early days of medicine and a lot of it wasnt based on outdated ideas from the ancient Greeks and the 4 humors theory. So treatments were just as likely to make ypu worse or kill you than the disease you were being treated for.

I think there was some kind of insurance system you could pay for on an individual basis maybe setup under PM Lloyd George.

Other countries have based their systems on ours.

nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-i....

[devonian186 in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

It was surprisingly sophisticated but people often lived in such poor conditions that medicine wasn't up to rescuing them.

I will read your link later but what has been the outcome in those countries that have based their system on ours?

[BaronFrankenstein in reply to devonian186]

If people lived in poor conditions thats because they had no money, and so they couldnt afford a doctor in the first place.

I in turn would ask what do you think the result would have been if we had no NHS at all?

Bear in mind the economic sucess of a nation depends on a healthy workforce, without it, the growth post WW2 wouldn't have been so rapid.

Ive had cause to use the NHS a lot the past 20 years.

1st time i had a serious infection of my gall bladder and liver which could have killed me through blood poisoning. I was working away in London at the time. I had my gall bladder removed on the NHS.

2nd time I had a serious accident with a circular saw which could have left me without the use of one of my hands. But lucky for me i got treated by the NHS top hand surgery department that saved all my fingers with only very minor impairment.

Then i had a sudden heart attack in December, i was in the theatre having a stent fitted within half an hour of it occuring and back home within a couple of days. Thanks to cardiovrehab im recovering quickly. NHS.

All those things, i could have ended up either dead or unable to work, but the NHS fixed me.

I couldn't have paid for all those things ive had done. Not to mention all the consultations, X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans ive had fir those and other minor issues ive had over the years.

[devonian186 in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

I think the NHs was very fundamental in our reconstruction after the war and clearly it employs many people and uses many suppliers. On the whole they are good for emergencies but as you can see from the frustrations expressed on this board, getting a test done let alone find out the results of tests then get treatment is often highly problematic and often involves huge delays.

It has become so vast and bureaucratic and poorly directed. I think other countries may point the way which might involve insurance but with refunds . too many people here think its free and too many people abuse it. We have some of the fattest most unfit people in the world, to which can be added we are well towards the top of the league as regards drug taking and drinking. So we need to reform the NHS and the way we treat our own bodies

[BaronFrankenstein in reply to devonian186]

I agree the structure needs reforming and the way its managed. My wife works within the NHS and the sheer number of people her department has to see each day is staggering. Id agree that getting feedback on results is annoying. They seem to have adopted a no news is good news approach, which may save them time and resources maybe but it leaves one hanging on and anxious.

The population is increasing, as is the age of the population.

[polenta in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

I am in the US and when became critically ill with CHF back in 2014 and my health insurance had not kicked in with my new job, found myself admitted into ICU for 3 weeks. I was sent a social worker and she helped me get all of the help I needed with medical bills and medications so when I was released I was able to focus on getting better. Through finacial assistance from the hospital and aid through medical assistance with our welfair plans, I paid NOTHING! Not really sure where you got your information about people dying in America because they cant afford insurance pemiums, but its just not true. I am now on medicare, but my husband is self employed and pays his health insurance out of pocket and its cheaper than my monthly medicare!! I have $170.00 taken out of my medicare and he pays $120.00 a month for his health insurance. Hospitals are not allowed to turn ANYONE away here in the US and there are no long time waiting periods for surgeries and finding results to tests. I needed a new battery for my pacemaker last September and had my surgery in November, with total cost of surgery coming in at over $450,000 and I paid out of pocket for my share $350.00. When I have tests for my heart done every year, they are scheduled same day as my Dr. appt that way I get results same day! My anxiety would be through the roof if we had NHS here in the US, and I pray we never do. Take care

[BaronFrankenstein in reply to polenta]

I think youll find not everyone can afford insurance and even if they can not everything is covered especially if you have pre-existing conditions that are long term. That applies here in the UK also.

If everyone coukd afford health insurance here Im sure they would have it to get seen quicker etc.

theguardian.com/us-news/202...

[polenta in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

I do understand that not everyone can afford health insurance, BUT my point was that if you dont have it here in the US, there are resources to help you with medications and Dr/hospital bills. I see a lot on this site of people who have the NHS and sometimes pay out of pocket to get results and tests done quicker, with my monthly income I wouldnt be able to do that. Its not perfect here in the US, but the waiting times for surgeries/results/appts are very good, and if I need to talk directly to my Cardiologist, I send a message through email and he calls me directly!

[BaronFrankenstein in reply to polenta]

I just read this from Debt.org and for me having to negotiate with hospitals about payments or debt collection agencies would be a nightmare to face after a heart attack, cancer or a serious operation.

Even with the assistance programs it looks like you have to dispose of just about all of your assets first before you can be eligible, i.e. use all your savings and be at rock bottom financially.

Its interesting how many people it says are in medical debt, 100 million to the tune of $220 billion.

The NHS isnt perfect but at least when i leave hospital i dont have to worry about bills from hospital and just about rehab.

debt.org/medical/financial-....

[polenta in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

I feel blessed in the sense that the social worker assigned to me while in ICU did all of the negotiating for me and no creditors harrassing me ever. No healthcare systems are perfect, we all just have to try and make the best of what we are given. My original comment was in response to you saying in America people are dying because of lack of healthcare and medication because of high premiums, and I am living proof that isnt the case and just my experiance with someone who had no insurance with a serious illness. Wish you all the best, take care.

[Eewee]

your condition sounds serious, I would investigate a private cardiologist appointment if I was in your shoes. Ask for your echocardiogram results and take them. Then take it from there. Good luck.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I suggest you contact the Patient Advisory Liaison Service, PALS of the hospital raising your concerns about the delay and poor communication.

[G_Jones]

I had a referral to "rapid access chest pain clinic" in November - it was February before I saw the consultant - he ordered a CT scan - carried out towards the end of May...The radiology department was very busy - patients having canula fitted in the corridor - several of us sat on benches in our gowns waiting...

I was told approx 4 weeks until results...

A comparison with a friend of mine in Germany (English guy been living there several years)

He went to his local hospital for a CT scan - into changing room - out of changing room through second door - straight into scanner room - has scan - waits a short while & is called in to see consultant - his scan is up on the doctors screen - results discussed - consultation over....

No wonder he never wants to return to UK...

Something very wrong going on in UK for a long time...