Our public health care system is a SHAM!

[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.