3rd world NHS

[psychocandy]

Most of you will know I'm not a fan of the NHS. Personally I think its a 3rd rate service which restricts our access to proper healthcare. The lack of funding argument only goes so far- the whole organisation in riddled with people who just cannot be bothered. Some of them I'd be wary about leaving my hamster in their care.

However, nothing can compare you for dealings with child/adolescent mental health services. I've got a 14 year old son whos really really struggling with his issues. Its affecting him really badly as well as everyone else in the family.

It truly is eye opening to see how the nhs deals. GP won't do a thing just refer them. If it get there - GP forgot to send it off. Any counselling you have to pay for yourself. Not so bad for someone like me but of course, not everyone can afford this at £30£40 a pop. Glad to say counsellor did manage to get CAMHS referral.

Then you get someone called primary care mental health arrange an appointment. This is 3 months down the line. You get one appointment and thats it. Try calling them back with concerns - no chance. I spoke to them and said it was at crisis point - THREE WEEKS to call me back.

Eventually, you get a CAMHS appointment. Still no psychiin sight. So you get evalution, box ticked, targets met, all goes quiet again. No-one interested.

Only option is private. I paid £200 for private appt for my neck recently. Child/adolescent psychiatrist appointment - £900. Bit ric that.

If I was in USA (albeit insurance funded) he'd have been diagnosed and treatment plan in place months ago.

[SueEllen]

We don't need and want a US system where the hospitals dump old confused people down the road from hostels. (We also don't want a Canadian or Finnish system.)

We could have either an Australian, French, German etc system. Yes that would mean some people paying more but at least psychiatry and physio would be funded properly plus old people wouldn't be allowed to bed block or be dumped in the street.

[Eirikur]

I was assuming every contractor has private insurance?

[SueEllen]

I was assuming every contractor has private insurance?

Some private insurance excludes things like psychiatry and physio due to their costs.

[SueEllen]

I should have added psychiatry being expensive and physio being cheap.

If you do physio without going through your private provider the physio can get more money in their pocket and the cost is cheaper.

[SueEllen]

Also even if you have private insurance you still have to see a fecking GP.

[sasguru]

Don't worry, the NHS is bound to improve in the years to come ....

[SimonMac]

And remember the Welsh run your own NHS so you can't blame Westminster

I've spoken to a few people here behind the scenes who are going through CHAMS difficulties, it all depends on the NHS Trust, when we were down in Somerset the offering was horrendous, now we are in Leeds it's been great.

Most of the help starts with the school so if you don't have them on your side fighting the battle with you, you will never get anywhere with CHAMS.

[Eirikur]

Also even if you have private insurance you still have to see a fecking GP.

No not with the one I have, I can visit a private GP (they are just extremely rare in the UK, especially outside London) as well, but in general NHS GPs are much quicker willing to refer if you mention to them you have private insurance

[SueEllen]

No not with the one I have, I can visit a private GP (they are just extremely rare in the UK, especially outside London) as well, but in general NHS GPs are much quicker willing to refer if you mention to them you have private insurance

Notice I said you still have to see a fecking GP.