I love that I have access to free health care, it's something a few countries don't have. I personally, can't imagine having to constantly worry about the financial implications of becoming ill or having an accident. It seems completely outrageous to me that governments even think it's acceptable to expect it's population to pay for things that are often completely out of their control. I mean, lets put a tax on blonde poeple, and make those over 5"6 pay extra insurance??!!
Anyway, although I do love our free health service. I do feel it comes at a cost. A severe cost.
The National Health Service runs a 18 week promise, which means that every patient should have a hospital appointment within 18 weeks of requesting one. That seems fair, but bare in mind that is still 4 months.
My well documented stomach complaints have been ongoing since August 2011 when the trouble first started. I have had one hospital appoints in December 2011 who confirmed 4 stomach ulcers (I even saw pictures!)
As per usual, upon further inspection by my GP on 6th January 2013, it appears the specialist who carried out my endoscopy decided to leave the words 'ulcer' off of my medical records, and instead referred to it as acid reflux. Therefore my GP thinks I'm an idiot making, and after over 12 months of medications not working, requested I see ANOTHER specialist.
I found out this morning, as usual, this referral to the gastroenterology department has disappeared into thin air. So although I have been waiting patiently (albeit in chronic pain) for the past 8 weeks for an appointment, it has not been made. I have to start from scratch again, and will take another 8-10 weeks for an appointment. (Sound very familiar to my FS referral?!!!)
My last full meal was on December 17th 2012, I have not been able to eat a full meal since then without being in agony. I've been to Accident and Emergency with the pain, still nothing.
I was obviously hoping that I would have had my tummy trouble re-diagnosed an correctly treated before starting IUI, I shouldn't sensibly start until then. After everything we put ourselves through during treatment, I'm not going to spend every evening after treatment throwing up, not sleeping and in pain. It's bound to fail.
So i'm back to square one. IUI on hold indefinitely. Still not eating, still loosing weight, still unhappy.
All sorts of silly things going through my head as ways to get the doctors to listen
Don't they triage? We have free healthcare as well (except infertility treatments...of course) but all cases are triaged in terms of severity. With that much pain for so long, I would hope they'd put you ahead of stable cases. :(
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Not really, you can ask for your GP to put through an urgent appointment, but I think with departments that are backed up for weeks most GPs put patients through as urgent, which then negates the point really.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to be referred to another hospital entirely so fingers crossed something happens soon!
xxx
I want Martin to sue the pants off them if you end up bleeding out! 4 ulcers and you have a wait time of how long? Not to mention you're losing valuable nutrients in the process!!! Bastards.
ReplyDelete