What is your most frustrating experience with today's health care system?

[thehealthdet]

I would love to know what is your most frustrating experience or number one problem with today's health care system or the problem/obstacles you face when trying to take care of your health?

[Eve]

Probably waiting times.

[bednobs]

I wonder if people just have too high expectations nowadays? a few years ago you could wait up to 18 mnths for a hip replacement, and nowadays you are almost garunteed a wait of no longer than 18 months btween initial referral to finishing treatment.
Yet somehow, there seems to be much more discontentment about access to services than there used to be.

to answer you question, my main prob seems to be lack of coordination - i have about 5 consultants and they never seem to either liaise between themselves, or take int account what i tell them regarding other problems when i see them. I long for someone to bring it all together!

[Velvetee]

My GP, who I've been asking to refer me to a sleep disorder clinic for over a year. Everytime I go to see her and ask about it, she says "oh haven't you received an appointment yet".

[Eve]

I must admit my rhumatology dept are fantastic, very supportive esp my rhumatology nurse.

I think it makes gastro seem much slower as took 6 months to get an appointment and despite the tests all being meant to be done and me to go back within 4 weeks, over 2 months on and the results still aren't back and rhumo told me things they hadn't which have just got me mor worried especially with no appointment in hand.

[tigwig]

my problem is that the NHS have caused the death of my mum in law and are about to be found negligent by the healthcare commission.

[coke71]

Having worked in my local hospitals A&E for 18yrs now, I get more and more dishartened with the NHS more and more each day, NHS Management (and I use the term 'Management' very loosely because I wonder how they even MANAGE to get out of bed in a morning) have destroyed anthing to do with patient care, making facts and figures more important than helping the sick and needy (hence TigWIgs mum-in-law---really sorry to hear about that Tigwig) but unfortunately we're hearing about it all too often. I am amazed at the amount of people i know that have had something wrong with them and not had any sort of diagnosis this includes a lot of my friends and colleagues at work who the doctors can't pull wool over thier eyes, it seems that if the condition is not text book they're stumped. I'm hearing rumours of A&E's shutting all over the country and i worry what local people will do because a very high percentage of our patients come because they are getting no where with their GP's and thats only if they can even get to see their GP!!! They're are still a lot of very caring proffessionals out there but unfortunately are not allowed to use their full potential because of silly rules regulations and time limits (patients have to be seen and diagnoised within 4hrs or else) but this is not always possible and i don't know about you all but if i had something serious wrong with me i would rather have quality treatment with someone that has got time to spend with me and treat me at a pace they feel is more appropriate than hhaving a poor nurse rushing about at such a speed it's dizzying to watch. The NHS is very poorly at the moment I just wish they got rid of the hopeless management and put the proper people back in charge (matrons and consultants) but i'll not hold my breath.....wouldn't want to end up in A&E ;)

[masma]

My main problem with the NHS is free prescriptions. My husband is diabetic and my sister-inlaw has thyroid problems, both get free prescritions. I am asthmatic and also have a lung disease, my son has many health problems which means he has to take a cocktail of drugs every day, we pay approx �40 each per month. I know we can, and often do, get the pre paid but it's so unfair. I think everyone with an on going health problem should be entitled to free presciptions for that complaint and no others, i.e. insulin but not anti bio's.

[MrXLA]

In my view the NHS should accept its ultimate fate and be placed on the 'end of life pathway'
Its done well, but can no longer function adequately and safely in its current form excerbated by an ignorant, demanding and ungrateful public.
Any haelthcare service will NEVER be perfect.
Also as hard as it is for indiviudals to accept, mistakes are made (because thats a HUMAN trait) and people will always die in the healthcare service

[MrXLA]

NB - clearly I would like to see a system in which mortality rates are reduced to their lowest possible

[jake-the-peg]

My experience has always been fantastic!

I laugh hysterically with the people who seem to be under the dillusion that the money that they currently pay as health insurance would cover them if there were no NHS.

Ever seen a BUPA ambulance?

[daffy654]

My only complaint with the health service is the time I have to wait to see my GP,it can be up to a 2 week wait for an appointment.
I have a a couple of ongoing health problems and since I have been referred to the correct consultants everything has been fine.I have great respect for the majority of people who work within the NHS.