Stop been so cheap!

[jogami]

I understand your gripes hun but here in South Africa you have to be on a medical aid to get any decent service. We pay a fortune for ours (about 1/3 of my salary goes to this!) but I'm too terrified to have my child in a government hospital. The doctors and nurses in the gov. hospitals are currently on strike and many women have gone in only to not be seen to and lost their babies! *TMI* It was in the paper the other day that a lady went in as she was in labour and the nurses stood around doing NOTHING, would not help her. Her mom tried to deliver the baby and ripped his head off So sad On my medical aid I will be having LO in a private hospital, up until 28 weeks I've seen ObGyn once monthly for a scan, now I see him every 2 weeks and the last month I see him weekly. I complain about the money I pay every month but nothing beats peace of mind and good care!

Just count yourself lucky that you can go to hospital if ever you feel the need and they won't ask you for cash upfront before they will even look at you, or that you won't get service at all...

 

[faun]

I think 2 scans is enough for a normal pregnancy i would rather have less scans and have the money put towards other aspects of the nhs like neonatal and critical care where the money can have life or death consequences then spent on extra scans for woman who don't NEED them just want them. I personally think ok the NHS may have problems but I would me dead twice over if it wasn't for the NHS and the doctors nurses orderlies etc do an amazing job with very limited resources.

 

[SaskySprite]

I think considering people in the UK get free healthcare it's not unreasonable to expect the minimum number if scans for a healthy pregnancy. If your m/w or Dr has concerns then yeah, you'll have more.

I get more over here (probably 4 over all) but I pay a small cost for each as they are subsadised, not free. And even here most normal pregnancies only get 2 may be 3 as that's all that really needed in most cases. M/w are damn good at working out size etc

I'm not saying the NHS is perfect, cos it's very definitley not, but is a good enough system, look what you DO get for free, I think it's great they provide free appts, scans, free dental care etc.

OP - would you agree to an increase in tax to fund these additional scans?!

no i wouldnt... i believe we pay enough tax as it is and in my personal experience and opinion i dont think the health care we recieve is worth what we pay! ...

couldn't have said it better myself. The healthcare I received during my pregnancy was diabolical, I won't even mention the awful care I had before I was pregnant. I would GLADLY pay for my healthcare if I thought it would be a little better, unfortunately private healthcare isn't much better according to many people I know. I've also got to say that other than being pregnant & a child, I've NEVER had free dental care, not sure where you got that from.

Then do it yourself. I know that any service I receive from doctors, hositals, dentists etc is a hell of a lot better than I could ever do for myself.

 

[trumpetbum]

And thats just per bed - also to be taken into consideration - staff costs, electric, heating, water, tests are expensive, staff to do those tests, equipment used, supplies used..the list is almost endless when monetising patient care.

Yep. A few months ago a patient was ready to be discharged and his wife said she didn't want him to be discharged til 2 days later cos she had a bowling competition wtf?

Ah yes and don't forget the christmas grandparent babysitting.

That's just awful on so many levels xx

Especially in our ward as we're a geriatric ortho rehab ward so patients are often in for a long time and we have a lonnnng waiting list.

& Yes, funny that at christmas time the NHS is overwhelmed with old people

It's disgusting, but part and parcel of the way people treat the NHS, with it's limitless funds and the growing sense of entitlement that people have towards healthcare. The people who are most grateful for the care they recieve seem to be the ones who were there at the beginning or brought up in the generation afterwards as a rule.
A lot of the generation who've always had the NHS as a safety net are the ones who abuse it. (Not a dig at the OP, but a general observation based on the comments highlighted in this post.

I don't agree with that tbh. Older people have a sense of entitlement usually worse than the younger ones! If I had a pound for everytime I heard 'I paid my taxes all my life' I'd be a millionaire Its usually over something stupid like pad and pants stashing

A few of my friends say the same. I must just get all the nice auld folk.

 

[NetsaBaba]

Why do you need more than that, unless the baby is at risk there isnt a reason the NHS should pay for it. Scans were first invented to check on the baby and now they are seen as something more, im sorry but we are very lucky to have it. Although it has its flaws, countries like the States have people dying, not being able to afford such medical things there seleves. Give more credit to our system. Once the torries get more of there claws in you will soon be missing it.

 

[trumpetbum]

Re the old folk. You can;t help but feel sorry for them though, and for trying it on, but probably in their eyes they're not trying it on. They probably feel alone and frightened that there's no one to look after them, it is a cold time of year also. What are the stats on oldies dying at that time of year? The care has to come from somewhere...and it isnt, I can understand why they turn to our NHS. But of course we know the NHS can't cope with that.

Phinners, it's not the elderly that I'm getting at. It's desperately sad when elderly people would prefer to be on a hospital ward than at home alone. It's the families that use the NHS as a drop off service around holiday time that irk me. The amount of 'social' bedblocks in acute settings over Christmas is frustrating.

 

[AP]

Not being funny but any extra funds should be applied to neonatal care etc imo and not scans every flipping 4 weeks for reassurance.

 

[Kirst264]

I am probably way behind the times here with my post! I would absolutely love to get more than 2 scans for free but i just don't think it's necessary. I have the choice to pay for private scans but as my pregnancy is healthy i was happy with my 2 scans. I'm happy enough hearing baba's heartbeat at every appointment. There is such a huge strain on the NHS (which i think gets too much bad press as it is) and even more cuts are being made by the new government, so i would imagine more free scans is the last thing on their minds. You're never gonna keep everyone happy but i think we should all be grateful for what we get (and for free as well, can't argue with that!) x

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Seriously, you want the NHS to pay for all pregnant women to have a growth scan every 4 weeks? And you think the NHS is being 'cheap' because this level of service is not offered already?

There is absolutely no need for so many scans for everyone, and the associated costs would be absolutely astronomical. Even if it were a good idea, how on earth do you think it would be funded, if you say you feel you pay enough in taxes already?

We should all be grateful for what we already have, in my opinion. If you want an extra scan for your own reassurance, go and pay for it privately.

Laura

 

[Phinners]

Re the old folk. You can;t help but feel sorry for them though, and for trying it on, but probably in their eyes they're not trying it on. They probably feel alone and frightened that there's no one to look after them, it is a cold time of year also. What are the stats on oldies dying at that time of year? The care has to come from somewhere...and it isnt, I can understand why they turn to our NHS. But of course we know the NHS can't cope with that.

Phinners, it's not the elderly that I'm getting at. It's desperately sad when elderly people would prefer to be on a hospital ward than at home alone. It's the families that use the NHS as a drop off service around holiday time that irk me. The amount of 'social' bedblocks in acute settings over Christmas is frustrating.

God no I wasnt trying to say that you were, it was more of a general comment really. Not directed at anyones view.

I dont have any experience of oldies or wards so I dont know how it really is- I was lab based, so all my patients were in buckets of formalin or dead on a slab.

 

[Lil-woowoo]

Healthy Pregnancy then theres no need for extra scans, if your wanting them then pay for them. As has been stated in this thread many times the NHS doesnt have a limitless fund of money, we are over budgeted as it is with the NHS and they are trying to make cut backs where possible. As an NQ nurse i cant even get a bloody job as wards dont have even funds to take on staff, yet most wards are seriously understaffed and morale in the NHS is at an extreme low point. My nephew was born at 24 weeks last year and spend a long time in NICU at a cost of over £7000 a week and on top of that under went major heart surgery. Also my youngest sister underwent neurosurgery in newcastle just before this at an estimated cost of nearly £250,000. Now my parents had to give up work to become full time careers to my disabled sister and are fully gratefull to the treatment received by the NHS, even if they both continued to work full time til they retired they could never pay back what theyve had from the NHS. Yes the NHS is funded by tax payers money but when you present at A&E you arent questioned on how your gonna pay your bills.

 

[trumpetbum]

Re the old folk. You can;t help but feel sorry for them though, and for trying it on, but probably in their eyes they're not trying it on. They probably feel alone and frightened that there's no one to look after them, it is a cold time of year also. What are the stats on oldies dying at that time of year? The care has to come from somewhere...and it isnt, I can understand why they turn to our NHS. But of course we know the NHS can't cope with that.

Phinners, it's not the elderly that I'm getting at. It's desperately sad when elderly people would prefer to be on a hospital ward than at home alone. It's the families that use the NHS as a drop off service around holiday time that irk me. The amount of 'social' bedblocks in acute settings over Christmas is frustrating.

God no I wasnt trying to say that you were, it was more of a general comment really. Not directed at anyones view.

I dont have any experience of oldies or wards so I dont know how it really is- I was lab based, so all my patients were in buckets of formalin or dead on a slab.

Thanks, I thought I might have come across as a bit of a c**t.

 

[linsayp]

I think considering people in the UK get free healthcare it's not unreasonable to expect the minimum number if scans for a healthy pregnancy. If your m/w or Dr has concerns then yeah, you'll have more.

I get more over here (probably 4 over all) but I pay a small cost for each as they are subsadised, not free. And even here most normal pregnancies only get 2 may be 3 as that's all that really needed in most cases. M/w are damn good at working out size etc

I'm not saying the NHS is perfect, cos it's very definitley not, but is a good enough system, look what you DO get for free, I think it's great they provide free appts, scans, free dental care etc.

OP - would you agree to an increase in tax to fund these additional scans?!

no i wouldnt... i believe we pay enough tax as it is and in my personal experience and opinion i dont think the health care we recieve is worth what we pay! ...

couldn't have said it better myself. The healthcare I received during my pregnancy was diabolical, I won't even mention the awful care I had before I was pregnant. I would GLADLY pay for my healthcare if I thought it would be a little better, unfortunately private healthcare isn't much better according to many people I know. I've also got to say that other than being pregnant & a child, I've NEVER had free dental care, not sure where you got that from.

Then do it yourself. I know that any service I receive from doctors, hositals, dentists etc is a hell of a lot better than I could ever do for myself.

Well good for you. What kind of a comment is that?!! People in third world countries could say that too.. But the service they get still isn't good. Who are you to say how good my NHS care has been, not knowing any of my personal circumstances??
I'm saying that I would gladly pay more towards healthcare, if the service would be better. I'm not blaming anyone, but as lots of people said - they are understaffed and underfunded.

 

[Farie]

I was lab based, so all my patients were in buckets of formalin or dead on a slab.

Sorry but that made me giggle so much - much needed at the mo so a huge THANK YOU from me, I shall now go to bed chuckling!

 

[Phinners]

Re the old folk. You can;t help but feel sorry for them though, and for trying it on, but probably in their eyes they're not trying it on. They probably feel alone and frightened that there's no one to look after them, it is a cold time of year also. What are the stats on oldies dying at that time of year? The care has to come from somewhere...and it isnt, I can understand why they turn to our NHS. But of course we know the NHS can't cope with that.

Phinners, it's not the elderly that I'm getting at. It's desperately sad when elderly people would prefer to be on a hospital ward than at home alone. It's the families that use the NHS as a drop off service around holiday time that irk me. The amount of 'social' bedblocks in acute settings over Christmas is frustrating.

God no I wasnt trying to say that you were, it was more of a general comment really. Not directed at anyones view.

I dont have any experience of oldies or wards so I dont know how it really is- I was lab based, so all my patients were in buckets of formalin or dead on a slab.

Thanks, I thought I might have come across as a bit of a c**t.

****. I love that word. It makes me laugh so much.

But no you didnt come across as a **** at all

eta - Bloody hell, I thought that would be censored lol

 

[anna matronic]

I have had 5 scans now. 2 were my normal 12 weeks and 20 week that we get. I had one at 5 weeks due to bleeding (brilliant patientcare and on the same day too) I have also had one at 28 and 30 weeks due to ruptured membraines to check fluid levels and growth.

I knew after my 20 weeks scan I wouldn;t get another one unless there was a concern. I believe the midwives and doctors pick up on anything that is not right therefore anyone who does need another scan later does on the whole get one.

18 weeks is a long time to wait, so another scan at 32 weeks would be nice, but not everyone needs them and those who do get them. So for me I think the money is better spent elsewhere.

In the UK cos we are split into different PCT the level of care is going to be different throughout the country. But I do believe for one persons negative experience there will always be lots more positives.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

For people that don't like tge care they receive complain. Many have said they don't mind paying for exra care. If that is the case then you can go private. There are many areas that need exra funding, neonatal being one of them. I get fed up of people running the NHS down. It is an amazing service with dedicated staff. And I beielve in its purpose. Health care for all no matter what
Xx

 

[trumpetbum]

Re the old folk. You can;t help but feel sorry for them though, and for trying it on, but probably in their eyes they're not trying it on. They probably feel alone and frightened that there's no one to look after them, it is a cold time of year also. What are the stats on oldies dying at that time of year? The care has to come from somewhere...and it isnt, I can understand why they turn to our NHS. But of course we know the NHS can't cope with that.

Phinners, it's not the elderly that I'm getting at. It's desperately sad when elderly people would prefer to be on a hospital ward than at home alone. It's the families that use the NHS as a drop off service around holiday time that irk me. The amount of 'social' bedblocks in acute settings over Christmas is frustrating.

God no I wasnt trying to say that you were, it was more of a general comment really. Not directed at anyones view.

I dont have any experience of oldies or wards so I dont know how it really is- I was lab based, so all my patients were in buckets of formalin or dead on a slab.

Thanks, I thought I might have come across as a bit of a c**t.

****. I love that word. It makes me laugh so much.

But no you didnt come across as a **** at all

eta - Bloody hell, I thought that would be censored lol

 

[buttonnose82]

people will be moaning in a couple years when tories cut right back on the NHS,

I can't fault the treatment I have had from the NHS and I certainly can't fault the treatment FIL has had on the NHS and he relies on the NHS ALOT due to his health problems

 

[chocolate]

I dont know how expensive it is to scan women in pregnancy, but my drs surgery has a scanning machine in the surgery which the head dr uses when needed.
They dont routinely use it at appointments but after my miscarriage I went to him and asked for a scan so I knew exactly what had happenned as I was kind of holding on too some hope that the baby was still there, or there had been 2 etc. He said they dont usually scan after miscarriages but he would. This meant I could move on and finally let out all the tears I had been holding onto.
I then also went back for another scan after I experienced some bleeding in this pregnancy and was convinced I was miscarrying again but the scan showed that baby was fine and we didnt know where the bleeding had come from.

Anyway - extra scans for reassurance would be lovely, but not cost-effective. I would happily pay £30 or so towards a scan for reassurance at my drs surgery if they offered this, but then maybe £30 just wouldnt be enough. I think if there are real concerns then you would be sent off for a scan anyway, and these concerns are usually picked up by the mother not feeling right or experiencing some sort of symptom etc.
Of course there are cases where regular scans maybe could prevent something awful happening, but I dont know the statistics of this so cant say.

So yes, extra scans would be reassuring and Im sure they could save complications etc. but at the end of the day the cost of this would be absoultley huge and where would this money come from? No doubt a hefty rise in tax would be needed - Id rather save that money myself and use it for a private scan in needed