LATEST MOAN FROM YOU AND ME - 2022

Oh, Nigel, it is about time ... but how long will this be? My thoughts are with you and I hope it is comforting to you.

I hate repeating it, but I am pleased I am here and not there because I have gone through a lot medically in the past nine years (five major ops) which were dealt with promptly plus followups.

 

Good question and I don't have an answer unfortunately; months?

 

Yes, its reached the point where if you personally dont keep hassling them nothing happens.
Trouble I find is if you do hassle them they dont like it and then get all defensive.

The the recorded message I have to listen to whenever I call my surgery states that "any aggression will result in them ending the phone call and you having to find a new doctor."

It would be a joke if it wasn't so serious.

 

It's not good, is it? Dear friends are currently in the process of moving back to UK 'because we're getting older and will need more healthcare'. I think they're in for a bit of a shock. The system in France isn't as good as it used to be due to a shortage of GPs, dentists and ophtalmos but for dental and ocular emergencies the hospitals and clinics still provide a good service, and a blood test result is sent via computer to patient and GP the same day.

 

To be honest I find it patchy.
Some things seem to work well, and definitely once you are in the system, if you get my meaning, you tend to be ok.

But getting the ball rolling is an uphill job, getting passed the docs receptionist seems to be hurdle on1, and then getting passed the GP can be a problem, but when you get to that point there does seem to be some kind of system.
Problems can occur though if you dare interfere with the system at that point because you can get told to "not pass go and go directly to jail" if you do.

You then have to "miss three turns or buy a get out of jail card", or you can opt to pay £10,000, and get it done privately.

 

Three things lacking in my area, seeing GP's, Dentists & Foot Police.

 

Foot police?
Dixon of Dock Green went out in the 60s along with their tardis thingy watsits.

 

A recorded message at my dental surgery gave an alternative number to ring for emergencies. Another recorded message said, the only emergencies that would be dealt with would be gum bleeding and extreme pain. Hygienists here are non existent Shiney.

Our dentists probably found somewhere they could work on a private basis.

 

I don't like to complain about the NHS, we are lucky we have it. My son lives in America and although medical treatment is very good, paying for it is a nightmare. Medical insurance there is a con and doesn't go anywhere near covering the cost of treatment and prescriptions. The cost of major surgery is often a six figure sum which many can't afford.

 

My GP surgery hasn't reached emails yet, they still use fax and have only just discovered answering machines; so now I get curt messages saying "Please ring surgery" no level of urgency or reason for request given.

 

As for dentists I had to go private about 20 years ago when it was all that was available down here. Not cheap but treatment is excellent, hygienist and dental check up organised well in advance and if necessary you can rearrange with minimal fuss.