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[Gardian]

When you view this site, it's clear that many people are understandably concerned about health problems that can occur if and when they move over here.

Over the last 10 days, my wife has had a cyst 'appear' on her cheek. Nothing unusual, nor serious: happens to us all.  Not particularly painful either, but worrying nonetheless.

Saw our GP on Mon evening: prescriptions for cream & antibiotics + ref to the local Clinique. Phone call from GP at 09.45 Tues, with appt at Clinique for 16.30 today.

This afternoon (Weds), done and dusted in 20 mins. Big dressing on the cheek, but fortunately no instruction to avoid wine this evening! Return 2moro for dressing removal.  Bill: a staggeringly minute €40!  Couldn't believe it.

Just wanted to say that if this had happened in the UK, we'd have been mucking around for ages / seeing the GP / getting it done / bill for £100+ (??) if privately (which effectively, this was).  By the way, we'll probably get 70% of that €40 back from CPAM, but if not, why worry?

I'm not saying it's perfect here, ........... but it aint bad!

[Cassis]

Marvellous - almost as good value as getting you car serviced over here!

[Poppy]

Just shows how easy it is to get a different perspective of things. I have had a cyst on my cheek for about a year now. Went to french doctor when it first appeared to be told nothing serious don't worry. During a couple of visits since then re other ailments have mentioned cyst only to be given the shrug. Won't go into the long list of problems re french doctors but give me the UK health service any day.

[ali-cat]

[quote user="Poppy"]Just shows how easy it is to get a different perspective of things. I have had a cyst on my cheek for about a year now. Went to french doctor when it first appeared to be told nothing serious don't worry. During a couple of visits since then re other ailments have mentioned cyst only to be given the shrug. Won't go into the long list of problems re french doctors but give me the UK health service any day.[/quote]

Wait until you are waiting, in agony, for over two years to see a consultant - it might change your mind about the NHS.  [:(]

[Dick Smith]

I'd agree with that. Except that it was nearer three years. When I went private I had the op a week later...

[Russethouse]

How long is it since you lived in the UK Ian ? and Ali, why hasn't the 6 month rule 'kicked' in, or is that only waiting for operations.

About 10 years ago I had a throat infection and had to be hospitalized, it was not a pleasant experience. Recently, after breaking my shoulder, things had changed dramatically and were much better. I had my op within 4 days of it being deemed necessary, the staff were pleasant and the ward was spotless.

The next day, at home, when I was in considerable pain, there was a doctor with me in 30 minutes.

 I know its still far too patchy but the NHS really does seem to be improving.

[Dick Smith]

The NHS targets are for first appointments only, so you usually get some sort of appointment inside 20 weeks, but after that - it can be any wait. You can even have an extra 'assessment' thrown in during the process, which slows things down even more. I had to wait months for tests, then months to discuss the tests, then months again for any action to be taken. Over a year, in fact!

I've just been to see the doctor ( a new one after I gave up on the previous one) because she had prescribed me medication that I am already taking - she didn't know I am diabetic because after 2 months my records have not travelled the 100 yards (really) from one practice to another. She tells me this is normal...

[ali-cat]

Thanks to the Civil Service Health Care Society, we were with, I went to see a private consultant & got an MRI scan, discovered that I wasn't suitable for any sort of op (75% chance of ending up in a wheelchair) & was referred to a pain clinic.  Have been getting steriod epidurals, physio etc. for three years now.

Had I stayed on the NHS I would have seen my first consultant, possibly, about a year ago (still 2 year waiting lists here for 1st appointment) - but would still be on the 18 month MRI waiting list & would still have no idea what was wrong with my back!!  It's a disgrace!!

Rant over - away to get a glass of wine!!  [:D]

[Russethouse]

Some years ago a family friend used to pay privately for the initial consultation but then made it clear further treatment would be NHS, I'm not sure how this worked but it certainly knocked months of the waiting time.(the most memorable occasion was when he needed a hip op)

Do you not get regular checks through your GP, Dick ?

 

[ali-cat]

I was also referred back onto the NHS for the pain clinic appointments.  The CS wouldn't pay for the epidurals etc. so the consultant put me back onto the NHS system & I got an appointment within 2 months.  It's the consultants waiting lists that seem to cause most of the hold-ups.

[Dick Smith]

Regular checks? Ha (or whatever hollow laughter looks like).

I should get a hospital check once a year, but this year it was cancelled, no reason or reappointment given.

I get to see the nurse once every six months. The nurse doesn't communicate with the doctor.

I get eye tests regularly, but, as they put in the dilating drops, that involves a day off work, which costs the school £250 - and the last one was aborted because their computer was down. Their idea of 'out of working hours' is 4pm. And I have to get a taxi there and back, so that means an all-afternoon job.

The GP failed to diagnose my carpal tunnel syndrome for over 2 years.

He diagnosed joint problems as 'degeneritive arthritis' - but then they got better...

It goes on and on.

[ali-cat]

I was told my pains were either .... are you ready for this .....growing pains (I was 36!!) or in my head!!!  Funny - the MRI scan showed 5 torn discs!!  Maybe I was willing them to tear - whilst growing!!  [:-))]

[hastobe]

Same here Ali - I first went to my GP with back problems ten years ago - and was offered no x-rays / MRI just a pain clinic appointment - but then told there was a two year wait!  I finally got a proper diagnosis after changing my job - private health care was part of the package and it was a 'block policy' - so no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.  I had an appointment with an orthopeadic surgeon, X-rays, MRI scan and physiotherapy all within 2 weeks of seeing my GP!  My 'all in your head' pain was also disc / nerve compression and spinal degeneration at multiple levels throughout the spine. 

Kathie

[Russethouse]

Yes, husband has type 2 so gets eye check (but I get to take him ) + 6 monthly check. Must say the nurse who does his checks is pretty good.

I had carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands just after I had my daughter, the specialists finest moment was certainly not when he wanted to do both hands at once when I had a 9 month old baby ! I cancelled the op and it just got better of its own accord. Luckily.

[Poppy]

Like I said just shows how easy it is to get a different perspective. Both OH and myself have been in agony for two years in France me with knees and OH with elbows, I am talking about pain so bad we cant sleep. We have had four life threatening experiences caused in French hospitals. Once when OH was seriously ill Doctor called for the ambulance but they wouldnt put him in until I produced evidence of insurance to pay. As we were at friends house this meant a delay of 1 hr while I produced documents. Would this happen in UK

[ali-cat]

I hope it wouldn't - but you could wait for hours on the ambulance turning up in the first place.  I stood (because I couldn't sit) with tears pouring down my face from the pain, in A&E for 6 hours, when my back first went.

Would this happen in France - & I really mean it, as I would like to know (hope to God I never have to find out!!)

[Poppy]

 After ambulance problem when OH finally got to hospital he was in A & E for 10 hrs he had passed out 8hrs earlier with the pain. We arrived about midnight and there were no doctors until 9.00. I finally screamed and shouted and they took him for a scan. Then all **** broke out, they prepared him for the operation in the lift going to theatre. It appeared he had a burst ulcer which had caused peritonitis. The surgeon told me he only had 15 minutes I thought he meant he could only spare that time to do the op but it turned out OH only had 15 minutes to live. We knew nothing about the ulcer he had visited Doc a few weeks before with pains in the area but was told it was muscular and given Dolipran. I could go on forever but as there are no other posts about problems with French Health Service it might be one of those things that are sent just to try US and are not universal.

[Beryl]

[quote user="Poppy"]Like I said just shows how easy it is to get a different perspective. Both OH and myself have been in agony for two years in France me with knees and OH with elbows, I am talking about pain so bad we cant sleep. We have had four life threatening experiences caused in French hospitals. Once when OH was seriously ill Doctor called for the ambulance but they wouldnt put him in until I produced evidence of insurance to pay. As we were at friends house this meant a delay of 1 hr while I produced documents. Would this happen in UK[/quote]

 

Possibly, even if you are a British citizen if you have been living in France for more than a year, you need to have health cover just to visit the UK. Therefore, it is possible that a UK doctor may check your documents to make sure you are covered before treating you.

[Gardian]

Well folks, that stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest!  Not intended - just meant to convey a 'good news' story about life over here.

Although it read that way, it wasn't meant as a 'slag' against the NHS - more to recount a good experience as it has just happened to us over here. Poppy's posts speak for themselves and can't be excused in any civilised society.

We moved over here 20 mths ago.  Our UK medical experiences shortly before we left were less than perfect.

Minor heart attack for me: immediate and exemplary action by my GP, angiogram (privately) in what I can only describe as chaotic conditions at a major London teaching hospital. I said to the consultant, "I can't believe how you're trying to work here". He shrugged his shoulders resignedly.

For my wife: MS undiagnosed for 15 months. Virtually lost her sight in one eye and 40% in the other. Whether an earlier diagnosis would have made any difference, is hard to say. No bitterness, but it ought to have worked better.

Anyway; I'm doing it now (starting to moan about the NHS!). On a positive note, my wife sees a charming and supportive consultant at Montpellier, who has continued her UK originated treatment. his fee is €60 every time we see him, as opposed to the equally charming and supportive consultant in the UK, whose fee was £80.

Dressing off for the dreaded cyst today: all fine, no further charge. I told the doc that he was undercharging. He chuckled and said that not all his patients were British (i.e. he couldn't charge what he liked) and anyway it only took 2 mins (actually more like 20).