Went to Hospital

[susanb]

I went to hospital Tuesday with lumps on my leg. "Sorry can't operate today, come tomorrow at 3pm". 3pm Wednesday, in operating theatre, lump removed. Escorted to reception to pay bill of 5,500 rupees = £70.
10 days later went and had stitches removed 200 rs = £2.50.

This is in India.

[Ceam]

I went to hospital Tuesday with lumps on my leg. "Sorry can't operate today, come tomorrow at 3pm". 3pm Wednesday, in operating theatre, lump removed. Escorted to reception to pay bill of 5,500 rupees = £70.
10 days later went and had stitches removed 200 rs = £2.50.

This is in India.

Which is great for you, But the average salary is around a 1/10 of the U.K. so that's the equivalent to £700 to having the lump removed here, and £25 to have the stitches removed.
Not such a bargain any more is it? Plus the poor are REALLY POOR.

[said]

Which is great for you, But the average salary is around a 1/10 of the U.K. so that's the equivalent to £700 to having the lump removed here, and £25 to have the stitches removed.
Not such a bargain any more is it? Plus the poor are REALLY POOR.

Perhaps if we put the cost up for overseas people, many of our people suffering with ill health would get seen quicker.

[The PNP]

Perhaps if we put the cost up for overseas people, many of our people suffering with ill health would get seen quicker.

With exception of E.U.'ers, am inclined to agree....Surprised more foreigners don't take advantage of the NHS's lax checks on entitlement tbh. In particular from places like the U.S. where treatments cost an absolute fortune.

[Hamble]

With exception of E.U.'ers, am inclined to agree....Surprised more foreigners don't take advantage of the NHS's lax checks on entitlement tbh. In particular from places like the U.S. where treatments cost an absolute fortune.

There are checks.
A patient has to give an address and name of G.p when attending hospital and when visiting a G.p register as a 'temporary patient' to receive urgent medical care.

[said]

There are checks.
A patient has to give an address and name of G.p when attending hospital and when visiting a G.p register as a 'temporary patient' to receive urgent medical care.

It is those checks that should create real cheques!

[susanb]

The bit I liked, was I was given the bill and 'escorted' to reception to pay it.

Not like here when they are given the bill and fly home.

[Hamble]

The bit I liked, was I was given the bill and 'escorted' to reception to pay it.

Not like here when they are given the bill and fly home.

I was left to wait in considerable pain whilst Mr Hamble went by taxi to get a credit card from our hotel safe to pay for an operation.

Leaving credit cards in the hotel safe and carrying cash was common practice in the 1980's.

The bills were itemised and from separate medics for treatment I received such as medical and x ray.
We were insured and compensated on return home.

American tourists are invariably covered by insurance and need
billing for claiming back the cost of their nhs treatment.

[shippy]

The bit I liked, was I was given the bill and 'escorted' to reception to pay it.

Not like here when they are given the bill and fly home.

Sorry Susan, but "lumps removed"?

Any lump, moles etc which is removed, should be biopsied....

[ausard2]

Shippy.
The problem was removed and I hope the lady has no more
problems.
As for biopsied , who is going to pay for it? and do you need to.
Nice idea but what will it achieve , we're asking questions about what
happened 30 / 40 years ago for what reason.
This cost millions of pounds AND ?????

[Ceam]

Shippy.
The problem was removed and I hope the lady has no more
problems.
As for biopsied , who is going to pay for it? and do you need to.
Nice idea but what will it achieve , we're asking questions about what
happened 30 / 40 years ago for what reason.
This cost millions of pounds AND ?????

How about finding out if it was benign or malignant? See if she needs any follow up treatment? Or finding out if it needed removing in the first place?

[shippy]

Shippy.
The problem was removed and I hope the lady has no more
problems.
As for biopsied , who is going to pay for it? and do you need to.
Nice idea but what will it achieve , we're asking questions about what
happened 30 / 40 years ago for what reason.
This cost millions of pounds AND ?????

Yes it should be biopsied. Anything (lumps/ moles that requires
surgical removal should be biopsied) ....believe me, I speak from my
own personal experience ....

[ausard2]

Shippy.
If the doctor is happy then fine, everything costs money and
it is not for nhs to pick up the bill .
This lady seems happy and satisfied in a country where "I'M ENTITLED TO" doesn't and it should never exist.
We appear be the idiots with a health system that is outstandingly good , not one other country in the world has duplicated.
We keep throwing money at it to buy votes. Its not working wake up
change is needed. A doctors appointment £10, A & E £25 you've just taken 40%+ of time wasters out.
Now you have an appointment at hospital .You find your own way there.
I will help anyone but not give them money as it does not help.
Doctors do make mistakes but also have to live within the budget.

[Ceam]

Shippy.
If the doctor is happy then fine, everything costs money and
it is not for nhs to pick up the bill .
This lady seems happy and satisfied in a country where "I'M ENTITLED TO" doesn't and it should never exist.
We appear be the idiots with a health system that is outstandingly good , not one other country in the world has duplicated.
We keep throwing money at it to buy votes. Its not working wake up
change is needed. A doctors appointment £10, A & E £25 you've just taken 40%+ of time wasters out.
Now you have an appointment at hospital .You find your own way there.
I will help anyone but not give them money as it does not help.
Doctors do make mistakes but also have to live within the budget.

So she's either paid £70 to have a lump removed that didn't need removing. Or possibly harbouring something more sinister that is not getting the attention it needs.
biopsies are done for a reason, and it's a bloody good reason.

Charging may well get rid of 40%+ of time wasters, but it also gets rid of genuine cases that if caught early enough are a lot faster and cheaper to cure.

What is needed is a better education into when you phone a doctor etc. including a reminder that a&e is not a drop in centre.

I have first hand experience of a disabled child that often has hospital appointment. But our situation fades into insignificance compared to some of the children I know. I have no doubt that some of these children wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the amazing system we have.

I also know people who drop into A&E/doctors at the first sign on a cold. THESE are the people that need targeting. Money shouldn't even be a consideration. Every one is "ENTITLED TO" a good health service. Rich or poor.

[ausard2]

Nice way of thinking,
I live in real world. I want 4 cars on driveway
but sh.. I have to buy house first. Wake up Eutopia does not exist
and never can .