Our public health care system is a SHAM!

[Str8 Jacket]

A couple of weeks ago I was rear ended by a car which in turn caused a knee injury. I rode straight up to the hospital and was x-rayed. The x-ray revealed excessive swelling but no breaks. I was told by the doc that I would be seen by a specialist the following week. The week after that I received an appointment at Wellington Hospital for today....

Today the doc saw me and decided that there was probably nothing major wrong. He advises me that they will book me in for an MRI to double check though. About 30 mins later the doc came back... "we have decided to hold of on an MRI and the physio is on his way to see you to start to try and get some movement in it". The physio had to give up due to pain and advised "come back in 2 weeks and we'll check it again then.... So I have been in agony for 2 weeks and have to go another 2 weeks.... Apparently its fine to keep downing my codeine and voltaren even though there is no diagnoses.

When I get home this arvo I have a letter from Hutt Valley Health regarding my knee as my doctor had written to them for some insane reason! This is the part that makes me laugh.... We have accepted this referral and expect to provide you an assessment within 6 months. Too fucking bad if I was self employed!

On a positive note, if there is 'nothing' wrong with my knee then surely I dont see why I cant go racing next weekend... :whistle:

[p.dath]

I have had two relatives die of operable cancer because of the waiting list to get treatment.

[mynameis]

I find you do get a bit of a run around but it all comes down to how you deal with them.

Being a bit firm and persistent without being too pushy and demanding can result in some wonderful outcome within the public health system.

I haven't encountered a seriously problem so far.

[mynameis]

I have had two relatives die of operable cancer because of the waiting list to get treatment.

That's why you save up and get health insurance.

[Laxi]

That's why you save up and get health insurance.

a synical person might think that if government let waiting lists get longer then more people would do this and the government makes more money without raising tax:(

[p.dath]

That's why you save up and get health insurance.

Believe me, I have it!

In both cases they didn't, and considered going private. In both cases they decided against paying for private treatment because the had faith that the public health system would treat them.

I still remember when the second one went from treatable to terminal. She said the doctor told her it was unfortunate.

[Disco Dan]

They have obviously ruled out the more serious diagnosis and your treatment (even though they do not know your diagnosis for certain) is deemed less of a priority - hence the wait now.

[riffer]

You're young Helen, and in reasonable health.

A friend of ours was diagnosed with melanoma cancer, which has progressed from to the liver, intestines and brain.

She had no wait at all for chemo. She's 42, with a 3 month old child.

You've just been triaged.

[p.dath]

...
When I get home this arvo I have a letter from Hutt Valley Health regarding my knee as my doctor had written to them for some insane reason! This is the part that makes me laugh.... We have accepted this referral and expect to provide you an assessment within 6 months. Too fucking bad if I was self employed!
...

If it gets too bad then just pay and go to a private physio.

[mynameis]

a synical person might think that if government let waiting lists get longer then more people would do this and the government makes more money without raising tax:(

You can carry on and blame a 101 things around you or alternatively take out medical insurance.

It's a bit like riding aye your saftely is noone elses responsibility but yours, they'll hit you and admit to fault but you're the one who gets damaged.


Believe me, I have it!

In both cases they didn't, and considered going private. In both cases they decided against paying for private treatment because the had faith that the public health system would treat them.

I still remember when the second one went from treatable to terminal. She said the doctor told her it was unfortunate.

Push them mongerals, like I said before a lot comes down to how you deal with them. We got a relative of ours to get cancer surgery done in Auz privately although it could have been done here. They did eventually pay out 25k.

[ynot slow]

Believe me, I have it!

In both cases they didn't, and considered going private. In both cases they decided against paying for private treatment because the had faith that the public health system would treat them.

I still remember when the second one went from treatable to terminal. She said the doctor told her it was unfortunate.

Agree,my first bout of cancer from first time to going to doctor to surgery was 3 months roughly.This was from doing various tests from blood to cameras in each orifice.From colonoscopy to surgery was 17 days.Immediately after coming out of anaesthetic for colonoscopy I was taken into the ward for a few blood transfusions,seems having red blood count of 64(hg?) wasn't to shit hot,had to get blood levels to over 100.

I count myself lucky,at the time I had surgery cover,but didn't even think of it,claimed the hospital stay segment on it.The public hospital was great.Then after being told no need for chemo/radiation I was told it is reccomended,took me 6 weeks from operation to start that.A guy I met in radiation had a brother undergo ssimilar op to me,he went private,was in surgery in similar time,although he had a private room at hospital,instead of 6 bed ward.

In June I underwent lung removal due to tumour in Wellington,from having a PET scan to surgery was 6 weeks off hand,only gripe was I was told Friday noon to be in Welly hospital at 1.00pm Sunday.

All in all I am lucky(some will disagree)with my treatment,chemo etc with no waiting or going to Melbourne like a friend had to.My mum had a heart attack 10 years ago or so,was told you require quad by-pass,she asked how long till it's done.About 3-5 months she was told,she then said if I pay via medical insurance,3 weeks approx.Only time she used it,since then because she is nearly 70 they cancelled it about 5 years ago.

[Dirty_Harri]

I would definately just book a physio appt off your own back and see what they say. It's better than twidling your opposable thumbs waiting for those tools to see ya. :zzzz:

[Usarka]

That's why you save up and get health insurance.

Private health insurance does not cover accidents. ACC provide cover for accidents. (and ACC can kiss my arse).

[McDuck]

On the flip side my dad got told he would not get his triple by-pass till after xmass, had it last monday....

[gilly]

Private health insurance does not cover accidents. ACC provide cover for accidents. (and ACC can kiss my arse).

ACC cover for accidents and private insurance covers the extra. ie. if there is a charge above what ACC pays your private insurance will cover the extra.

BTW you don't need a referall to see a physio. If you're already covered by ACC you can see a physio and it should be covered.

Be prepared for a knee injury to take months to heal. It's not a quick fix even with physio. (I've been limping for 8 weeks now)

[Str8 Jacket]

You're young Helen, and in reasonable health.

A friend of ours was diagnosed with melanoma cancer, which has progressed from to the liver, intestines and brain.

She had no wait at all for chemo. She's 42, with a 3 month old child.

You've just been triaged.

I should have been more clear in my first post...

I have been through the same. I dont believe my pain and swelling is cause by the accident as ironically I had started to have major pain and swelling issues with my knee in the 2 weeks leading up to the accident. Now that I have had an accident it puts me on 'the backseat' even though I have a growth above my right knee and me and my doctor want it cecked ASAP due to my history... This is my biggest concern not the fact that I wake in absolute pain through the night and that I have to control the pain during the day with codeine. That is just a side issue....

[mynameis]

Private health insurance does not cover accidents. ACC provide cover for accidents. (and ACC can kiss my arse).

p.dath wasn't talking about accidents but cancer.

[rainman]

Our public health care system is a SHAM!

Too right, the fuckers don't cover dentistry.

[yungatart]

I've just waited 5 months for an URGENT ultrasound.....I got nowhere until I tossed my toys out of the cot!

[Str8 Jacket]

I've just waited 5 months for an URGENT ultrasound.....I got nowhere until I tossed my toys out of the cot!

Annoying eh! I almost threw my toy's yesterday but I do feel for the staff, they're run off their feet. I blame the system! ;)

Ive calmed down a bit today. I think I was extremely pissy yesterday cause I was stuck on public transport all the way home from the hospital in peak hour traffic in buses filled with yucky school kids. Im getting to old for all this, lol!

[Mom]

I have found the public system a bit hit and miss, but have never been let down by it.

My eldest daughter had a growth on her foot which had been seen by various GP's over time, nothing to worry about was the verdict until a new locum looked at it and thought a specialist should see it. We waited 5 months for an appointment at Starship.

When we got there the specialist went off! Why had we left it so long to be seen? My daughter had an MRI and was operated on for a biopsy in 10 days! Further surgery followed to remove the tumor and then all the foloow up care including district nure visits fell into place. This thing she has is not malignant but invasive. That was over 10 years ago and things have got worse and worse. She went to the hospital (waited 2 weeks for an appointment) a few months ago and has recently had further surgery on it, no waiting time at all.


I think you simply have to get there to be seen, and sadly that is what takes the time. Squeaky wheels get oiled, my advice to anyone waiting is to complain, loud and long. Your symtoms are TERRIBLE, the pain is UNBEARABLE or whatever till they get fed up with you and move you up the list.

[ynot slow]

Mums husband needed a hip replacement,was organised by GP and Surgeon,when told my reply was how long to wait.She said he sees GP again this week,so doc can give surgeon idea of level of urgency.That done he was admitted the following Wedsnesday,about 3 weeks from go to specialist to home.Apparently the health board had surplus in hip surgery budget,and election year probably helped.