Author Topic: National Health Service  (Read 98295 times)

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Offline Ian

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #30 on: October 25, 2014, 12:28:53 pm »
Quote
Seems that the low payed don't pay tax anymore !!!!

Not quite true;  that only applies to income tax but they still pay VAT - which is 20% of most purchases.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline SteveH

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #31 on: November 01, 2014, 01:53:37 pm »
Medical tourism generates millions for NHS and wider economy.

Medical tourism is a lucrative source of income for the NHS, according to a major new study that contradicts many of the assumptions behind the government's announcement that it will clamp down on foreigners abusing the health service

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/oct/24/medical-tourism-generates-millions-nhs-health


Offline SteveH

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #32 on: November 02, 2014, 11:23:29 am »
Strange how the Uk, bankrupt after WW2 managed to bring in the NHS.
Now with the help of the corporate tax dodgers we can no longer afford it. 
Something needs putting right but has this government got the guts to do it ?
It's inconceivable to think that this Government or any previous Government hasn't got the brains to close all tax loopholes and make all companies and individuals pay the appropriate rate of tax.   They could do it if they wanted to but I doubt if they will and think the rich people and the large companies will continue to exploit the weaknesses in the tax system.   

"It's inconceivable to think that this Government or any previous Government hasn't got the brains"

Here you go Hugo, Mull, this will cheer you up(sic)        &shake&    $angry$

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/01/nhs-spending-agency-nurses-cuts

Offline Hugo

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #33 on: November 02, 2014, 02:34:25 pm »
Thanks a lot Steve for that depressive bit of information.  It's not exactly news because you can  ask any NHS staff member and they will say the same.    The Conservatives have done nothing whatsoever for the NHS apart from trying to dismantle it but hopefully next year they'll be out of office and not able to make the situation worse.
I would have thought that the UK has the potential to recruit home grown Doctors and Nurses on a permanent basis which would be cheaper and better than getting agency staff in the long run

Offline Hugo

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #34 on: November 27, 2014, 04:56:24 pm »
TWO MILLION obese Brits to get free gastric band operations on the NHS.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/two-million-obese-brits-free-4703363

Offline Yorkie

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #35 on: November 27, 2014, 05:29:36 pm »
Just think how the sale of food will go down!  Time to sell a few shares me thinks!   ZXZ
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Offline Fester

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #36 on: December 12, 2014, 10:38:43 pm »
Yesterday was one of the most bizarre days of my life.

I will try and explain, as succinctly as I can, and cut a long, detailed story as short as I can.

For the last decade or so, I have been stone deaf in my left ear, emanating from an infection I got in the Far East whilst on bsiness, which destroyed my eardrum.
Despite 3 reconstruction operations, and lots of hard work, various surgeons failed to give me back any degree of hearing.
I gave up on it about 7 years ago.

However, this year, a Surgeon at Ysbyty Gwynedd got interested in my case, and ordered various scans.
He concluded that he could 'quite easily' re-attach the bones on my inner ear, to a new ear-drum....it would be a day-surgery case, and there would be an instant result with few if any stitches.    ''A bit of ointment and I would be good as new''-BRILLIANT EH?
He quoted more than a 70% chance of full hearing recover.   It's pretty easy stuff these days, and ''I do a couple of these a month'' he said.
This was brilliant news, because in the past, the 3 month recuperation period that I went through twice, was debilitating and frustrating.... and ultimately disappointing.  I could never face that again.


Buoyed by this Surgeon's comments, I went through months of pre-op assessments, and dropped some weight in order to get my blood pressure to the required level for anesthetic.

So, yesterday, I checked into Ysbyty Gwynedd, at 8am, as requested.
It was another 5 hours before I was 'admitted', and then placed in my bed and fastened into my fashionable operating gown.
Another hour later, all my tests were done.... and the Anesthetist  came along to give me the 'pre-med' injection.
Oddly though, the surgeon never came.  I didn't think too much about that.

Feeling suitably fuzzy-headed, they wheeled my into theatre.
There, I drowsily asked about the surgeon, and the 'consent forms' .... a puzzled looking Anesthetist said he would fetch him for me.

The surgeon, fully gowned and gloved-up walked in.  It was a DIFFERENT surgeon!   My surgeon, (the Consultant) was on extended leave apparently, and this guy was a replacement.    Hmm, no problem I thought.
But then, he began to outline a very different procedure he was about to ''attempt'' which may improve my hearing to a slight degree.  It involved a LOT of incisions, a LOT of stitching and packing, perhaps take cartilage from my other ear to create new bones,  3 months of no flying,  no swimming etc...... and 3 months before I would know if there was any success!

WHOA THERE, I said........  I urged him to take a look in my file, where a the 'other surgeon' had placed a simple drawing of what should be done.    He shook his head and said in broken English.  'Not seen that, and NO, that won't be the thing we do, it will be a much more complex procedure than that'
I looked across to the waiting Anesthetist, and he looked mightily uncomfortable and noticeably embarrassed.
That was it for me..... off the trolley I climbed.... I'm outta here!

So... I must have looked a sight as I trooped back to the ward, with my AR#E hanging out of that gown, getting dressed, and leaving the hospital.   The Nurses gathered round, muttered to each other and felt incredibly sorry for me.... but were careful not to say too much, for 'professional reasons'

I wonder if anyone else has ever got that close to being operated on, before being forced to pull the plug on it?







Fester...
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Offline Merddin Emrys

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #37 on: December 12, 2014, 11:12:59 pm »
That is incredible! I would put a complaint in about that! What a terrible experience!
A pigeon is for life not just Christmas

Offline Yorkie

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #38 on: December 13, 2014, 07:15:48 am »
Sorry to hear the news, no wonder you were back at the Words game so quickly!

Why don't you have a word with Ian Turner, he has had some ear surgery over the past year and may be able to advise you of a 'proper' Surgeon?   
 ££$
Wise men have something to say.
Fools have to say something.
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Offline Ian

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #39 on: December 13, 2014, 08:49:53 am »
Who was the original surgeon, F?
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline Fester

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #40 on: December 13, 2014, 12:17:06 pm »
Who was the original surgeon, F?

Is it OK to name names?   I deliberately didn't as I assumed it would be moderated.


Fester...
- Semper in Excretum, Sole Profundum Variat -

Offline Ian

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #41 on: December 13, 2014, 12:40:08 pm »
We're not saying anything derogatory about the gentleman in question so - yes; I think it would be fine. On the other hand , it won't add a lot to your experience. Wonder why he was on indefinite leave?

I'm wondering if he was pioneering a new technique, and of course other surgeons  wouldn't attempt it if they weren't familiar. Thee are two listed at Bangor: Mssrs Chowdry and Barr - both Otolaryngology specialists.

I think this is worth following up.  Microsurgery is making big leaps these days, so it would be a shame if something couldn't be done.   At the very least, you need a copy of your notes and a face-to-face meeting with the specialists to find out if the original diagnostic proposal was valid and - more importantly - why they pulled the plug without warning you.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline Hugo

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #42 on: December 13, 2014, 01:55:35 pm »
I was sorry to hear about your experience with the NHS  Fester but you've certainly done the right thing by not going ahead with the operation.   Thank goodness you still had the presence of mind to ask those things and then refused the operation as who knows what may have happened as you do hear of such awful things going on.

Offline Fester

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #43 on: December 13, 2014, 02:54:33 pm »
Thanks Guys.

Ian, there is a team of 5 E.N.T Surgeons at Ysbyty Gwynedd.... neither of your names were on my paperwork as being part of the team.
The Senior Consultant is an American chap, by the name of Moore.   It was him that was supposed to be doing the original operation.
Fester...
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Offline Ian

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Re: National Health Service
« Reply #44 on: December 13, 2014, 03:31:22 pm »
This sounds like the guy:

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/phillip-moore/21/741/534

and, if so, it's a mighty impressive resume. I'd tend to chase him up.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.