NHS in NI

[OldmanD]

There are some on here who are absolutely brilliant at advice. . . . Bookish, Narwhal just two of so many who take the time to answer often the same queries over and over. . . . . God Bless all here if it makes any odds. . . . . . The help I have received here has been a godsend

But

I know NI is a pretty small place but it is unique in many ways not least with NHS waiting lists. . . . I know I lived there. . . . . . Over 1 in 4 people have been waiting over a year to see one doctor or another. . . . . . It is 10x worse than England and and for those 1 in 4 over the year NI is 4x worse than the Republic of Ireland

So if ye know or suspect a person is from NI suggesting getting a referral to see a consultant is a very long wait . . . . . Perhaps too long for many. . . . . . Even suggesting going back and questioning a GP who is overworked is generally a waste of your time and theirs. . . . . They havent time for anything let alone something the need to play with before getting results. . . . . . Its hateful to say but it is a case of who can we save the fastest . . . . .

NI Doctors are leaving at an alarming rate, circa 40% to the Republic and 60% to Australia and the more doctors and nurses leave the faster the movement. . . . . .

So if I were advising a person whon I know is from NI I think I'd be a little more head down, head on because really the only way into hospital is on a trolley and even that seldom gets results especially on such a front as B12.. . . . . .

I hope this helps even one person

[Jillymo]

It is the same over here I can assure you.

The NHS is in a damned mess and can no longer cope with the demand put upon it. I lay on a hospital trolley for 11hrs in a hospital corridoor with heart failure !

I have waited a year and a half to be seen by a gastrologist, months for each test, scan ect to be carried out. Results take weeks to be sent out.

Many Drs in the UK work a three day week, consultants seem to be doing less clinics and seeing more private patients ! Many consultants are leaving to work abroad.

We are losing the care we once had. 😢

[Nackapan in reply to Jillymo]

I agree.I also waited 18m to see a neuro optometrist. 2o miles away.

Had to arrange lifts .

Only to find out after the worst consult to date that he was a locum optometrist .

I'd been seen by a hospital one before !!

It was the neuro part I eas depending on for the very least an explanation.

A very low time.

Yes.

A staffing crisis.

Too many non clinical managers .

Very low morale .

Once you actually get through some excellent care .

Dealing with anything for my 94 yesr old mum a nightmare and very worrying .

SAD

Over used

Over abused

[Jillymo in reply to Nackapan]

I totally agree.

We are now overpopulated which has put an enormous strain on the system for which the british patients now pay the price with lack of care.

As for getting a Drs appt, you can spend days on the wretched phone trying to get through !

I wont comment on my neuro experience but it was anything other than satisfactory. Gastro has shed a little light but still waiting further tests and results. A recent diagnosis of crohns 'should' help with regard injections but waiting a follow up appt........told it could be in two months time !

It's been a long journey and a never ending road.

[Narwhal10]

Thank you OldmanD,

I am very aware of the dire situation in NI. Thank you for reminding people of what is actually happening. The reality of waiting lists. Front line staff leaving.

Great advice regarding, Head down, head on.

On a personal note, extended family members were in the Medical field in NI. The retired doctor had to pay for their own oncology treatment. My surname is Oirish, to be sure to be sure.

[OldmanD]

Sometimes one needs to consider what one is about to write. . . . . . Not meaning to be rude but I can assure you that the official figure's for NI V England show NI to be 10x and more in some fields worse per capita than England. . . . . ten times. . . . . . This is not exaggerating. . . . . It has been all over the news in NI and Ireland for years . . . . .It has been on the UK news also but ye are not listening. . . . . . So whatever ye think ye are suffering in England it is nothing.. . . . No one cant even get their cataracts done . . . . 15 minute procedure. . . . . .And there is a hospital set up to deal with such and does the procedures for across the EU but the UK state wont pay for it . . . . . My Sister in law has now lay in bed without a hip for over 5 years maybe 6 now due to them making a bolocks of it. . . . . And I mean with hip missing. . . . She also has other bad joints so cant use a walker. . . . .She is 56 and worked until she could work no more so paid her due's. . . . Cruelty is what that is. . . . . And I could write forever. . . . . . Dont be telling us england is as bad. . . . . . The numbers in NI are beyond bad. . . . . . There are places in the 3rd world better. . . . . . . There are over 1/4 of the population in NI waiting on appointments. . . . Not GP appointments. . . .Hospital appointments. . . . . . There are over 100,000 MORE people per million waiting that in the Republic. . . . . . Not 100,000 but 100,000 more per million. . . . That is staggering. . . . And the over 1 years are off the clock completely compared to either Ireland or the UK . . . . . . There should not be over one years at all according to UK promises. . . . . . . The UK waiting times are we are told 10x worse than in 2011 so imagine 10x worse again. . . . . . . . The UK is not over populated. . . . . . Population means taxes. . . . . There are not enough people in the UK to pick UK veg . . . . Canda, australia etc are importing people to grow their economies whike the UK has all my life wound the people up about stopping migration to the point where now the very migrants are now part of the complainers. . . . . No one can stop migration short of shooting the people . . . . . . The way to stop migration/refugees is to cure the problem but instead of cureing the problem they are making more refugees by the hour. . . . . . . There are loads of little countries with a much more dense population than the UK with real good health care . . . . . . It is the lack of financing of the healthcare system which I believe is setting it up to be sold off in which case the Gov will throw tax payer money at it to make it look good and the same dudes will end up owning it and the british people will pay for it all and then pay for their care. . . . .While the rest of the western world aims at care for all. . . . .Even Russia and it is a crule place aspires to health care for all. . . . . . The Tories have never liked the NHS ever since its inception. . . . . . . Then there is lowering taxes which does nothing for the care system nor benefit the working or middle class and of course arms manufacture which the taxes are paying for . . . . . . Have the UK people have any idea how much is spent of arms for killing and maiming . . . . . The UK has everything it needs to have a good NHS but the management by the Gov is crap. . . . . I dont mean to offend but NI folks have been told so much complete rubbish for so long we get a little worked up when someone suggests nonsense. . . . . .Go google NI Health problems. . . . . . Been going on long before Covid. . . . . . There is near to half a million on waiting lists. . . . . . . 500,000 div by 260 = 1900 patients per day if ye want it sorted out in a year and you will have to of course desal with those coming on to the lists . . . . . I am using facts not hearsay. . . . . . If you look you will see Narwhal10's answer to me. . . . . .

[Narwhal10 in reply to OldmanD]

Thank you OldmanD,

For presenting Facts, Figures and Statistics of the Health Care in Northern Ireland. They are not opinions, nor hearsay. It is the truth.

‘It has been on the UK news also but ye are not listening.’

It is often the case. People only hear what they want to, read what they want to.

On a personal note, I am dreadfully sorry to learn of your sister.

[Jillymo in reply to OldmanD]

Sssssh🤫 We mustn't turn this into a politacal debate albeit true and needs to be said. I was only talking to a lass yesterday who told me how bad things were in Ireland.

Your sister is very young to be suffering in her bed without the care many of us paid in for most of our working life. I cant even bear the thought of how much pain she must be suffering.

All these extra people have entered the country but services have not been expanded to meet the demand to be able to cope.

My son emigrated to Bulgaria where the health system is excellent. You can see a Dr, have a scan ect and get the results all in one day over there !

There is only one way the NHS is heading. 👇

I now call it the No Hope Service.

[OldmanD in reply to Jillymo]

Thank you.. . . . . But try reset your mind away from the more people thing. . . . . Your son in Bulgaria is in the More people catagory there . . . . . Your NHS can be good again. . . . . Someone started it from scratch once upon a year when things were a whole lot worse than they are today. . . . . . Mind the detractors at that time are the same manipulators today . . . . . . . It will not be overnight though. . . . . And yes SSSHHH

[Jillymo in reply to OldmanD]

All those years ago the system worked........Drs new how to doctor, they new our familys, did house calls and came out after hours........but not now. There is not one Dr at my surgery that does a full weeks work ! It takes days of trying to get through to be greeted with 'the que is full ring back tomorrow. 🤬

The 111 service is a joke with some youngster who is not medically trained ticking boxes.

Sorry but I cant see things getting better.......but hush we must stay silent.......failing that we are going to have to take to the streets and protest........except I cant walk because my B12 was undertreated.

I will hold the banner to protest if you can push the wheelchair. They dont give a flying 💩all their interested in is lining their own pockets.......we are just or were the worker ants. 🐜 They can stamp on us when ever they want

Sssssssh 🤫 Rant over.

[OldmanD in reply to Jillymo]

It is awful you cant be walking. . . . . And the cost of this vitamin is so little. . . . . Has anyone on here any idea how much the NHS actually pays per ampoule of Hydroxocobalamin I am wondering????. . . . I buy my hardware from the same source as my GP clinic does so I know that the hardware is not expensive and I'd imagine the HSE here has the price hammered down as best they can. . . . . . . . I can only speak for my own clinic and they do call out with the elderly usually in the eve . . . . They seldom get their lunch if ever. . . . . . And they never chase you out the door. . . . . There is not a one of them overweight as they walk like they were racing.. . . . . I was in today and apologised for holding the doctor up even though she was asking me about solar which I have been interested in since around 1998 . . . . .Everyone around here knows me for my field of panels. . . . . . . I have seen appointments for 5pm end up after 6 but few complain as they are so good to us. . . . . They do however only work the 3 day week which I'd say is enough. . . . They are paid per head per year plus those who dont have medial cards pay 50 or 60euro per visit. . . . .Not children though or elderly. . . . . . . This time of year it is pressured for them. . . . . . They do not neglect their families as we know all the children play sports. . . . . . We have one lass who regularly appears on TV in support of the abused and spells out how some on line entertainment if you will is not really real and girls need treated a little better than that. . . . . And she dos it really well. . . . . . Even during covid I got appointments. . . . . . When it was real bad a DR came out to the carpark and looked at people one at the time. . . . . I had scans, xrays and appointments during covid . . . One was cancelled for 2 weeks due to there being one of the several periods of raised threat. . . . . Yet just 50 mile as the crow would fly from here ye cross an invisible line and it is a different world . . . . . . A different world for no sound reason. . . . . . Any reasons I used to be told about the EU monies etc were all rubbish. . . . .

[Jillymo in reply to OldmanD]

I am able to get about indoors but my balance has suffered so not safe outside. I'm happy bimbling about indoors and thankfully dont mind my own company.

Here in the west country your only given a very short time with a Gp & told you can only discuss one ailment.........which is not good for someone like myself who has a multitude of autoimmune diseases. very often a hand will go up to stop you from discussing more than one thing.

I was in need of a call out a couple of weeks ago.......it was like playing cat and mouse with the surgery telling me no appts left to ring 111 and then 111 telling me to ring the damned surgery ! I cant repeat what I said after hours on the phone in excruciating pain as I slammed the phone down.......yep naughty words were spoken.

I remember when I were young my dear family Dr leaving his dinner date to attend me still wearing his dinner suit.

Nice bantering with you and my heart felt wishes to you dear sister.

[OldmanD in reply to Jillymo]

NI got like that years ago when our children were small.. . . . My wifes own clinic ye could not get past the receptionist and forget about appointments so she changed to another and while ye could get passed reception there was still no appointments or at least none with 2 or 3 weeks and that is no use with young children. . . . . That is 30 years ago maybe 35. . . . . . Then we got one that was not fund holding and things were a lot better but last year they threw the towel in because they were all getting old and no new doctors available. . . . . There has been a torrent of practices that have handed back their contracts of late in NI. . . . . Dire

[Jillymo in reply to OldmanD]

At least we have let off a little steam if nothing else..........many practices here have closed !

Years ago a Dr would operate on a kitchen table if necessary. We have to accept the change and the fact we are stuck on the end of a very long que.........since 2019 I have been trying to get to the root cause of a swelling inmy abdomen !

Now come on stop this tom foolery..........what would we be doing if healthy ?................

I would be enjoying life. 🤸🏖

[bookish]

Thank you for the mention and glad to be a part of this wonderful forum. And thank you and Narwhal10 for sharing the situation in NI - I knew from things you'd said before that it was bad, but didn't realise how bad. So much that we can do for ourselves *if we know that we have to*, but so many don't know what is going on and will not believe if you try to explain. Head down, head on......All the best

[OldmanD in reply to bookish]

Thanks guys. . . . . When we left NI and came to the Republic we could not have believed how bad things in NI had in fact became . . . . . . We were told we were mad,,,, you have to pay for the doctors down there and much more which is absolute nonsense for the best part. . . .

Sorry if I let out a little . . . . . I have had a lifetime of being told how NI is and how it should be by those who have preconceived idea's that are not real .. . . . . It is not a money pit. . .. The people work damned hard and pay their taxes. . . . .

[Myanna23]

Yep so true, NI person here. Got phone call other evening from the Royal asking did I want to stay on the waiting list for Immunology/Allergy dept. Sure I have only been waiting since 2017! Rheumatology appointment still waiting after 4 years. There are teams coming from England usually weekends to do certain surgeries because the back log is so bad here. Which is how I managed to get my cataracts done quicker than anticipated, so grateful for that.

[OldmanD in reply to Myanna23]

How ye doin . . . . . Glad I dont live there any more. . . . . My father in law got his 2nd eye fixed 3 days off 7 years from he was refered. . . .. They phone you to make sure you are still alive . . . . I am not joking there either... . . . All including those going on for consultants ie anyhwere between the ages of 28 and 35 with many years exoeriance get one day a week at that phone job... . . . As if there is not enough consultants in the first place . . . . It enables the system to remove the missing from the waiting list which is more important than treating them. . . . . .And of course there are those who are fed up, depressed and opt out because of there is no hope.. . . . . Thats more of the list. . . .They need more than teams from England. . . . . . To clear the backlog not counting the new ones joining the back log every day they would need to see over 8170 patients per week for a whole year just to clear the back log. . . . . At 3 days per week and 10 patients per day which is being optimistic do the maths. . . .. . That is 425.000 waiting div by 52 = 8170 per week. . . . . . Those are near to impossible numbers and have little to do with the antics at Stormont because if the SOS had wanted to help he/she/they could have done so easily. . . . . Dire. . ..

[Myanna23 in reply to OldmanD]

HI OldmanD, yes that is funny, they phone to see if you're still alive😂but so true. I just try not to have anything to do with Doctors, you gotta look after your own health. But yes it is bad and you don't realise until you get to hear from other people in different parts of UK and Eire. Scary times.

[OldmanD in reply to Myanna23]

It would not be so bad if they'd tell ye that they havnt the resources or time etc but they waffle and put ye off with antidepressants and god knows. . . . And we were not so bad living at that in mid antrim area where there used to be reasonable services up until they closed everything and antrim area hos became the center of the world for everyone. . . . .

[B12life]

good to know!!!!!! Thanks for posting the feedback.