The Dirty War on the NHS

[cc120]

John Pilger's new documentary, The Dirty War on the NHS, is a powerful and timely investigation into the National Health Service. Is time running out to save this institution?

itv.com/hub/the-dirty-war-o...

7 days left to view

[Lora7again]

We are going to be asked to take part in a survey about the NHS by the government shortly so please fill in the form if and when you get it because they need to know what we think.

Lora

[Hibs1 in reply to Lora7again]

Nhs England I assume

[Lora7again in reply to Hibs1]

Yes ... why are you asking this?

[Hibs1 in reply to Lora7again]

I'm in Scotland so it will be only be filled in by those in England

[Lora7again in reply to Hibs1]

I don't know but I will find out and let you know. I have only just had an email about this so I do need to find out more about it.

[humanbean]

I watched that documentary. It was depressing but not surprising. And for people who don't keep up with healthcare politics it is well worth watching.

[Angel_of_the_North]

I would be more sympathetic to the NHS if it provided better care and treatment. I have to pay for everything in order to get what I need, as well as paying tax

[Lora7again in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I do agree with you but having worked in the NHS and seen what they have to do at first hand it is not all bad. I have had some bad treatment by the NHS but I have always complained about it so they can make sure it doesn't happen again. They have just saved the life of one of my friend's husband who had melanoma of the mouth and he is now in remission because of the NHS. I think their cancer treatment is one of the best in the world and we don't have to pay for it unlike in the US and other countries.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Lora7again]

I've done rollouts and IT audits for the NHS and been appalled at poor practices and admin - whole system has been broken for a long time - even worse than local govt. All my friends and family treated by NHS for cancer died quite fast, so my experience is different. No way to get better or more modern treatments

[humanbean in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

My gripes are with the entire medical profession rather than the NHS. I've found so many of them to be uncaring, sadistic and incompetent. And I've found that doctors in the private sector can be just as bad.

I think my problems are caused by some nasty stuff written in my NHS records in my teens, although I don't know for certain and can only guess based on the reaction of NHS staff I've never met before who treat me like crap for no reason I can work out.

Whatever I did to piss off some unknown doctor in my teens has been causing me problems for about 45 years, and will continue to affect my medical care until I'm in my coffin.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to humanbean]

Well, yes, there is that. But at least if you are choosing your own you can walk away and try to find someone better, which is difficult with NHS and catchment areas.

[humanbean in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

The problem I have with that is that an appointment with a private doctor is very expensive and I'm walking away from £250 or more. So if Dr A turns out to be rubbish, I pay a first appointment fee to him, then if Dr B turns out to be rubbish I have another first appointment fee to him too. I simply don't have enough money to pay hundreds or thousands of pounds to multiple doctors trying to find one who is worth seeing.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to humanbean]

If I go to the NHS, I can't book an appt in advance so I have to take pot luck and lose a day's pay and the doctor may be useless - then I have to go for tests at their convenience and not mine, so probably a few more day's pay. And I know they'll keep sending me for tests until something comes back normal and they can heave a sigh of relief and dismiss me. At least if I go private I can choose days when I have nothing on so the cost is about the same in the end. Plus I can choose an alternative practitioner if I want to (eg chiropractor for back pain or an acupuncturist).

[cc120 in reply to humanbean]

Can you find the bad report via your medical files, either online or insist your GP gives you a copy. Then, perhaps, you can appeal to have it removed?

[humanbean in reply to cc120]

I've already bought a "complete" copy of my medical records from my GP but they are allowed to censor records so that they don't upset the patient and cause "mental distress".

I am sure whatever is there is the very first thing that doctors and other NHS staff see when they open my records.

[cc120 in reply to humanbean]

Who ever authorises this absurd censorship should be made to allow you complete access. Ridiculous you are not allowed to read something that was said so many years ago, as if that would have an adverse effect at your age?!?!?!

[humanbean in reply to cc120]

I completely agree!

[Angel_of_the_North]

The only difference for me from 30 years ago is that I now can't book an appt in advance, so I don't totally buy it.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Not accessible. Well, the John Pilger one mostly is (although some of the subititle colours are bad) but the other one isn't

[Heloise]

Have you looked at the PMs?