Some around two and a half years ago, my dad had a heart attack. I posted about it here.
I am posting now, because well, mostly because it is 2am, I can't sleep and my dad is back in hospital suffering from kidney failure. The primary reason for me posting is I could really do with some of the same support that members of the paizo community offered me last time dad was this ill.
But their is another side to it.
I am getting another look at British medicine, but things arn't quiet as they where last time we talked about this.
The NHS does not exist anymore, at least not in the same form it did. While service are still free at the point of use, and most of the service is still centrally provided, the service is being prepared to be cut up and sold to private companies.
I am terrorfied. Where once my father would have been treated by a single institution who could ensured a co-ordinated treatment, as his condition worsens(and it really only can get worse), he is going to be moving into a world where his care is divided between a gutted NHS, and numerous private healthcare providers, motivated by profit, not his best interest, and I don't know what to do about it.
I don't think I have ever been so scared as I am right now, not even during his heart attack. Even when I was rushing to his side, I knew that everything was being done to help him, and while the panic griped me fiercely, I didn't have the deep gnawing fear for the future I have now.
What can I do, when my fathers well being in the years to come is ultimately going to be determined by men like John Nash(chairman of care uk), who I wouldn't trust with my own health, let alone my fathers.
A unified, social healthcare, run largely without profit motive butchered and served up to industry, by a man(lansley) receiving massive donations from those most likely to benifit from the changes(John Nash).
What do I do?
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I wish I had an answer ZN. I'm dealing with a similar, if much less serious situation myself. In less than a year I'll be out of the service and having to find my own job, with a different healthcare system, right as I hit 30. And it's a scary thought being out in the wild of the American workforce after being a part of the military healthcare system my entire life. But nowhere near as scary as knowing your father may not receive the care he needs.
I can't say for certain that he won't. I mean, I don't know for certain that he is going to be effected. We don't even know exactly what the new NHS is going to look like yet, but I fundamentally do not trust people motivated by profit, to have his best interests at heart.
Naive question on my part. What's the reason behind privatizing NHS part and parcel? Is the government having trouble funding it due to cost overruns and not having the subsidy to support its base?
Naive question on my part. What's the reason behind privatizing NHS part and parcel? Is the government having trouble funding it due to cost overruns and not having the subsidy to support its base?
It appears that piecemeal sell off comes down to this.
1. the government cant get away with getting rid of the NHS.
2. The government is ideologically opposed to the NHS.
3. Private companies do not want to run all NHS service, because many of them are not that profitable.
4. Private companies have lobbied for a system that allows them to cherry pick only the most profitable services.
It appears that piecemeal sell off comes down to this.1. the government cant get away with getting rid of the NHS.
2. The government is ideologically opposed to the NHS.
3. Private companies do not want to run all NHS service, because many of them are not that profitable.
4. Private companies have lobbied for a system that allows them to cherry pick only the most profitable services.
Elaborate more on #2. I can deduce the other three easily on my own intuition based on a private sector's desire toward laissez-faire capitalism if left unchecked. I'm assuming there's a historical or political shift that led to the position you're inferring?
Best wishes for you and your dad!
As scary as health care can get, there are a lot of good individuals who will do the right thing. As bad as the "system" is, the nurses, doctors, and other health care workers can count some great human beings among their numbers.
Do what you can, but don't let things you can't control bring stress into an already stressful time.
*hugs and fluffy baby animals*
For Urizen: #2 would be the change in government since the last time, I guess. From largely pro-welfare Labour to the Tories, who are probably the most anti-welfare state party in Europe.
*hugs and fluffy baby animals*
For Urizen: #2 would be the change in government since the last time, I guess. From largely pro-welfare Labour to the Tories, who are probably the most anti-welfare state party in Europe.
Thanks, longboat. I think I can draw conclusions now where the British are getting that idea from and bucking the European trend.
Us colonists are a bad influence. First we dump their tea ...
All humor aside, I wish well for your father, ZN.
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ZN, best wishes for your father.
There is not really much I can offer on this. Perhaps try to find a doctor who really cares about your dad and tries just about everything to get him the treatment he needs. I had a family doctor who really cared and made things possible (in very small ways, though) that were somewhat stretching the regulations of the health system. Any system as big as a national health system has its loopholes, but you need inside knowledge to find and use them.
As an aside, I don´t think that the trend to sell public property and services should continue. It regularly starts with the companies going cherry picking, and the non-profitable property and services end up staying public. The costs inevitably rise, leading to more public debt while the companies make tidy profits (and start complaining about the high taxes...). It should really be a no-brainer that public services are meant to provide, while companies are there to make a profit. So, why should the companies burden themselves with the unprofitable services?
Best wishes for you and your dad.
This is terrible... I wish I could help out but the only thing I can offer are best wishes and moral support...
Good luck ZN and hopefully things will go well
Up date:
As of yesterday morning, we know that dad is not going to need dialysis.
We know the cause of the collapse in function. Massive dehydration, leading to the kidneys drying out.
A Saline drip has gotten his function back.
However, they are currently working on identifying what caused the diorea attack that caused his dehydration.
Dad has agreed with doctor to get treatment for his alcoholism.
This is terrible... I wish I could help out but the only thing I can offer are best wishes and moral support...
Good luck ZN and hopefully things will go well
Honestly, that was what I need more than anything.
Just saw this thread and sending positive thoughts your way zombie!
Good news on your dad. Hope his recovery goes well.
+1
Good news on your dad. Hope his recovery goes well.+1
+2
While I disagree with your views on the NHS, that isn't important. What's important is that I hope your dad gets better.
Thank you. The news with dad has been mixed lately. While he is out and about, and seems well, he is still drinking. I wasn't expecting an over night turn around on that, but I had hoped that between the doctor's lecture and the event itself, he might give getting straight a real shot this time. Doesn't look like that is going to happen however.
Good to hear, zn. Best to your father.