In addition to the waiting times and canceled operations, there is a strike by young doctors. Two expatriates in the UK share their experiences with the healthcare system.
The crisis in the British health system (NHS) would almost make expatriates regret the French system. A new level has been taken by young doctors (Junior Doctors): after a 5-day strike, they announced their intention to renew the movement each month. This is only the latest in a long series of conflicts in the public health service in Her Majesty’s country. Between canceled operations, endless waiting times and lack of personnel, the NHS is more entangled in a slurry of tensions. Most often, it is the patients who pay the consequences… sometimes quite literally.
Why actor contacted two expats who live in London. Thien simple patient, is a product manager in the video game industry. In 4 years of living in the capital, she experienced a pregnancy and experienced 3 NHS establishments. On his blog, it severely pinpoints the British system. Françoise * runs a care center for expatriates.
“From one day to several weeks”
Waiting times are regularly singled out in France. But that’s nothing compared to the time needed to get an appointment across the Channel. In 2015, some 93,000 people had to wait at least 18 weeks before receiving routine surgery. This figure is only the tip of an iceberg that is plunging ever deeper. “The wait time to get an appointment with the NHS can vary from one day to several weeks,” confirms Thien. The most crowded health centers are obviously disadvantaged. But no choice is possible: each inhabitant must register with the NHS center in their district of residence.
In the expatriate care center, distress calls are frequent. “A lot of patients call us because they have trouble getting an appointment quickly,” says Françoise. The creation of walk-in, sort of non-hospital emergencies did not help. “You can wait up to 4 or 5 hours before passing,” Thien blurted. The young woman simply prefers to avoid these establishments in the event of minor ailments of everyday life.
One reason per visit
“There are not enough health professionals,” says Françoise. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine confirmed it when the winter plan was announced: even in normal situations, there are not enough beds in British hospitals. An affirmation that can be extended to the number of practitioners working in health centers. Consequence: doctors only accept one reason per visit. “You arrive for a flu, illustrates Françoise. If you want to talk about a problem with your leg, you are asked to make another appointment. “
Not to mention that these consultations are taking place at a breakneck pace: every second is counted within the NHS. “We feel like we are treated like cattle,” Thien laments. Consultations are carried out as a chain and last less than 10 minutes per patient. “During her pregnancy, this young Frenchwoman was confronted with the extent of the problem: her first consultation ended with a refusal to explain the follow-up. Upon learning of his move, the doctor would have simply abandoned the case. “He just said congratulations and goodbye to me,” she recalls.
A lack of attractiveness
If this form of disinterest is not law, the lack of time is real. It could be solved in part by a hiring plan. But the financial problems of the public service are at the heart of this situation: wages are historically low, and young doctors are being asked to work weekends, in addition to their overtime. The fault lies with Jeremy Hunt, the British Minister of Health, who tried to extend the hours of establishments without recruiting more. “The contract for the Junior Doctors is very restrictive”, recognizes Françoise.
Nothing, or almost, encourages them to join the NHS. These young graduates can still work in the private sector on a part-time basis. But the sustained pace is proving difficult to keep up. “They work full time and have to make arrangements for private evenings on certain days. Two half-days is already good, ”emphasizes Françoise.
“Here a radio costs £ 300”
Consultations are speeding up and, unsurprisingly, medical errors are on the increase. Between 2005 and 2015, 6,000 NHS patients were victims of these incidents. Thien’s companion also paid the price. After an emergency visit to the private sector, he was treated for stomach aches. “He was over-medicated for over two years,” says his partner. The overdose exposed his liver to serious complications. It was only a change of health center that enabled the error to be detected and resolved. Thien’s baby was treated for multiple urinary tract infections, which were ultimately non-existent, at just 5 months old.
But dissatisfied patients have few alternatives. It is impossible to change establishment without moving. “You can’t go to the other end of town to see an available doctor if you want to, unless you go private and pay a high price,” says Thien. To say that the cost of consultations is high is an understatement. “Here, a radio costs £ 200 to £ 300”, illustrates Françoise.
Various rates apply and they fly out depending on the specialty. A general practitioner requires 150 to 250 pounds, against 200 to 250 for a first consultation in ENT. A cost difficult to bear for tight budgets. The private insurance industry therefore put pressure on doctors. Bupa and Axa, which represent a majority share of the market, succeeded but the fight was bitter. Any professional who does not comply with their rates is not recognized and therefore not reimbursed.
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