My First NHS Visit
Tuesday, April 10
Today was my first NHS experience. It was insanity.
On March 30 I fell while skiing in Austria. I hurt my ankle but it didn't seem that serious - hardly any swelling and I could still put some weight on it. I took it easy this past week but it hasn't gotten that much better. Then, on Monday it filled up with fluid or something strange and is hurting quite a bit more. I went to the Doctor's office, but oops - they were closed since it was the day after Easter. I went back today. Here is a brief narrative of what happened:
Whitney: Hi, I am here to register to see the Doctor
Receptionist: (unable to understand me she asks random questions. I am eventually allowed to turn in my papers)
Whitney: I hurt my ankle over a week ago skiing yet it has just swollen up this weekend so I need to see a doctor
Receptionist: Have you been to the hospital?
Whitney: No, I thought I would try here first.
Receptionist: (rolling her eyes) Well, you should have gone already, its probably too late now
Whitney: Right, but it didn't hurt or swell really till this weekend
Receptionist: (Ignoring what I said, speaks over me) Well, you can get in to see the nurse on Thursday and then the doctor on Friday
Whitney: Well, do you think I should go to the hospital then?
Receptionist: It's up to you really.
Whitney: Ok, well you see nothing was wrong until this weekend...(trying to get a little advice)
Receptionist: You will really just need to see the nurse. She will take your height, weight and blood pressure when you come in on Thursday. Here is a vial, we will also need a urine sample when you come back. (Then in an attempt to be nice I think)...you can ask the nurse when you come on Thursday about your ankle and she may be able to give you a little relief then.
Whitney: (giving up) Ok...fine.
Urine sample for an ankle injury? Friday before I see a doctor? Coming in a day earlier to just get my height, weight, and blood pressure? No advice or help whatsoever when I obviously have an injury?
I am not a happy camper. They took out more from my paycheck for National Insurance (yes, they take out a fee for this supposed 'free health care' from my paycheck each month) than Sander and I are paying for very nice private insurance in the US. How can people put up with such poor, obviously inept service when they are paying so much for it?
3 comments:
I know, I know! Because governments are under no obligation to perform as well as private companies who compete with each other! The government can just monopolize industries through legislation (under the false pretense that privitization is bad and costs you more), tax the crap out of you to pay for their inefficient programs, and then do a horrible job - necessitating the need for higher taxation. It's a vicious cycle.
You almost have to laugh b/c it is so ridiculous. You have to, otherwise, you'll cry :) Makes us really thankful to be able to afford private insurance in the US, but then there are others that would love to see the US go to a socialized health system. Yech. Hope your ankle gets better, keep it elevated, and put lots of ice on it, and take ibuprofen.
How is your ankle??
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