Great Britain: Toothache boy nearly died (Another triumph of Socialized medicine)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | November 16. 2004 | ANDY RUSSELL

[Stoat]

Toothache boy nearly died

Battle ... Peter fights for his life
 

By ANDY RUSSELLA TEENAGER with toothache ended up fighting for life in hospital — after being turned away by a string of dentists.

Peter Owen, 19, was in agony for a week as he tried SIX times to have a tooth out.

He was eventually rushed to hospital after an abcess on the tooth swelled so much that it blocked his windpipe.

Peter had an emergency tracheotomy — where a breathing tube is inserted through a hole in the throat — and was on life support for two days.

Mum Wynn, 47, said last night: “Peter nearly died because there is a shortage of dentists.

“It is shameful that someone should be taken to hospital fighting for his life just because of toothache.” Peter was not registered with an NHS dentist when he developed raging toothache.

Wynn rang NHS Direct who told her there were NO available dentists near their home in Colwyn Bay, North Wales.

The nurse who answered suggested the emergency dentist at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl could see him — but not for six days.

Next day Peter went to a dental centre in his home town who told him the tooth must come out.

But he was quoted a total of £121 which he could not afford on his Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The next day he went to Colwyn Bay Community Hospital — but was told they were not taking any more dental patients.

The day after that Peter’s pain was becoming unbearable as his mouth began to swell.

 

 

Agony ... Peter nearly died
 

Wynn called her doctors’ surgery saying her son needed antibiotics for the pain. But she was told they did not deal with dental matters.

Desperate, the pair then went to Glan Clwyd hospital where a nurse said he HAD to see a doctor.

But after waiting two hours they had to go as Wynn was in agony with a shoulder problem.

The following day Peter saw the dentist at Royal Alexandra Hospital who confirmed he needed the tooth out.

He prescribed antibiotics — and Peter made an appointment for an extraction four days later. But his condition got worse and the next day Wynn rang NHS Direct again, saying: “You’re going to kill this lad.”

That night Peter could not breathe and dad Gareth rushed him back to Glan Clwyd, near Rhyl, where surgeons performed the emergency surgery. He was eventually allowed home a week later.

Wynn said: “It’s a terrible story. These kids can’t afford a private dentist and there are no NHS dentists anywhere.

“I also blame the Welsh Assembly for the shortage of dentists in our area.”

Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust said: “We can’t discuss individual cases. But if Mrs Owen contacts patient services at the hospital we will discuss her concerns.”

A Welsh Assembly spokesman said: “Steps are being taken to address the issue of dentists.”
  

[Stoat]

Remember this young man when you hear people singing the praises of Socialized medicine.

[jamesissmall218]

This after I had to suffer through my economics professor singing the praises of British and Canadian socialized medicine. Don't worry, I got up and left the class after a few minutes. I couldn't take it any longer.

[26lemoncharlie]

Bill would still be waiting in line for his Triple Bypass and Neutering.

[Just Lori]

Good catch, Stoat! This is exactly what the liberals want for the U.S., the country which, by the way, foreigners flee to when they need REAL medical treatment! Socialized medicine is a complete failure. Whoda thunk?


BTW, folks: STOAT IS A GREAT AMERICAN!

[MediaMole]

Who here wouldn't put in a few bucks for Bill's neutering?

[bd476]

My Welsh Grandmother died of septicemia right here in a US hospital from an infection from a bad tooth. However, that was when there were no antibiotics, when doctors re-used needles, when doctors didn't always bother to wash up or wear latex gloves and long before I was born.

Thank God this young man was given antibiotics, and eventually got medical care. I wonder though if he will make it.

[dementg]

No, socialism is really a 2-tiered system that reserves a special place for the elite. People like him would never have to wait in line.

[bd476]

No he wouldn't. If you have money in the UK, there are doctors who will take patients outside "the system."

[GeronL]

Mum Wynn, 47, said last night: “Peter nearly died because there is a shortage of dentists.

and why MUM, do you think there is a shortage??

and what in the world is a Job Seeker's Allowance???

[GeronL]

I hear you can wait 6 months for an MRI in some countries. Just awful.

In the US there are for-profit places where you can get them as a walk-in.

[GeronL]

Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust said: “We can’t discuss individual cases. But if Mrs Owen contacts patient services at the hospital we will discuss her concerns.”

DISCUSS????? CONCERNS?????

[HiTech RedNeck]

JSA - the Welsh equivalent of unemployment benefits?

[GeronL]

I suppose. But I bet you don't have to look very hard to get it.

[KillerMule]

This must be what Kerry was planning on putting in place.
:-P

[BykrBayb]

We should model our health care system after theirs. < /hitlery imitation >

[Heatseeker]

One of my best friends and his wife are recently moved here from north Wales; she grew up just outside Colwyn Bay and is an RN, and came here because the NHS was breaking down.

Having said that, north Wales is a great place, and when I was last there, when my friend's sister was getting married last year, I had a wonderful time and experienced none of the anti-Americanism I would have expected in London or other "enlightened" places.

[Porterville]

We should have all are best muscians to a LIVE AID concert to help these poor third world nations.

[Porterville]

are=our

[Martin Wellbourne]

"Peter was not registered with an NHS dentist when he developed raging toothache."

Which suggests he hasn't seen a dentist in years. Perhaps his mother or father should have registered him with one in the first place?

[LiberalBassTurds]

Wow what a bad deal. Thanks for the ping GeronL. I can tell you from personal experience that the English medical system is a mess. Glad this lad recovered.

Thanks for the logo Safrguns!

[GeronL]

ha! a spinner!

[Hop A Long Cassidy]

>>>" But he was quoted a total of £121 which he could not afford on his Jobseeker’s Allowance."

Thanks Mom, Thanks Dad...

Couldn't some family member scrap up 200 bucks for this?

Don't these people work?

Looks like there's more broken than their socialized medical system.

Hoppy

[Stoat]

"Good catch, Stoat! This is exactly what the liberals want for the U.S., the country which, by the way, foreigners flee to when they need REAL medical treatment! Socialized medicine is a complete failure. Whoda thunk?


BTW, folks: STOAT IS A GREAT AMERICAN!"

 

(((BLUSHING)))  @ Your kind words  :-)  My hope is that you (and all other NICE WASHINGTON LADIES ) will be sure to eat enough chocolate and ice cream so that you won't NEED to see a doctor!  :-)

MEMO TO ALL:

SPANAWAY LORI IS A GREAT AMERICAN!

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[HiTech RedNeck]

And, mum and he LEFT the hospital "because her shoulder was in agony"? What happened, did she have to hold him in her arms the whole time? Weird. This sounds tabloidish.

[Stoat]

"One of my best friends and his wife are recently moved here from north Wales; she grew up just outside Colwyn Bay and is an RN, and came here because the NHS was breaking down.

Having said that, north Wales is a great place, and when I was last there, when my friend's sister was getting married last year, I had a wonderful time and experienced none of the anti-Americanism I would have expected in London or other "enlightened" places."

I'm very sorry to hear of your friend's troubles....it's a common story that I've heard on numerous occasions.  I agree that Wales is delightful....beautiful country and wonderful people.  It's too bad that they have gone down the road to Socialism, as they deserve far better than what that economic and social system can provide.

"One of my best friends and his wife are recently moved here from north Wales; she grew up just outside Colwyn Bay and is an RN, and came here because the NHS was breaking down.

Having said that, north Wales is a great place, and when I was last there, when my friend's sister was getting married last year, I had a wonderful time and experienced none of the anti-Americanism I would have expected in London or other "enlightened" places."

I'm very sorry to hear of your friend's troubles....it's a common story that I've heard on numerous occasions.  I agree that Wales is delightful....beautiful country and wonderful people.  It's too bad that they have gone down the road to Socialism, as they deserve far better than what that economic and social system can provide.

[LiberalBassTurds]

Hehe :^)

Thanks for the logo Safrguns!

[Stoat]

""Peter was not registered with an NHS dentist when he developed raging toothache."

Which suggests he hasn't seen a dentist in years. Perhaps his mother or father should have registered him with one in the first place?"

Yes, they should have, but it likely would have made little or no difference given this quote from the original article:

"Wynn rang NHS Direct who told her there were NO available dentists near their home in Colwyn Bay, North Wales"

Poor people have fewer transportation options than others and are more dependent upon local services.  The culprit here is not the parents but an uncaring bureaucracy that drives doctors, nurses and dentists to other countries because of overregulation and an inability to pursue their vocations in a reasonable manner. 

When you are a healthcare provider and a gravely ill patient comes to you, you should have the freedom to accept that patient regardless of paperwork or monetary concerns...this is a mark of a compassionate society.  This is something that happens in the USA...there is a sign in every hospital emergency room in this nation indicating (in several languages) that you will be accepted for care regardless of your ability to pay. Similarly, any U.S. dentist who would see a patient like this would take steps to ensure that he gets rapid care.

This sort of event is one part of the motivation that originally spurred Mother Teresa to establish a medical care network for "the poorest of the poor".  She encountered a dying child on the streets of either Bangladesh or Calcutta, who was just outside the doors of a hospital.  The hospital had turned her away because she couldn't pay.  Mother Teresa held the child in her arms as she died.

This sort of thing almost happened to this young man.  He should have been seen regardless of what he or his parents had signed up for or how much money they have.  Great Britain deserves a medical system that allows it's healthcare practitioners to help those in need.

[Stoat]

">>>" But he was quoted a total of £121 which he could not afford on his Jobseeker’s Allowance."

Thanks Mom, Thanks Dad...

Couldn't some family member scrap up 200 bucks for this?

Don't these people work?

Looks like there's more broken than their socialized medical system. "

The family is obviously poor and deserves help from a compassionate society, as what would happen in the USA.  They should not have been turned away for an inability to pay.
 

[FormerACLUmember]

I have been tracking the British National Health Service for years. There are PLENTY of dentists in Britain.

It is becoming increasingly rare however that they join the NHS. Many are now completely private.

Why get £15 (about $30) for an extraction, which does not meet your overhead? Also the quality of NHS-style dentistry standards is a world-wide joke. "British teeth" is a common laugh-line for comedians around the world. Many dentists in Britain are ashamed to work for the horrific NHS bureaucracy and its third world requirements.

£121 (about $250, let us say) is the private rate. This is still a bargain. It cost me triple that for an extraction several years ago.

[FormerACLUmember]

Thanks Mom, Thanks Dad... Couldn't some family member scrap up 200 bucks for this? Don't these people work? Looks like there's more broken than their socialized medical system.

I agree. These people are professional victims, enslaved by their welfare mentality (in Britain, the "dole"). Nothing is ever their responsibility. It is always someone elses fault. We call these people "democrats." They live in "blue states."

[bd476]

Stoat said: "This is something that happens in the USA...there is a sign in every hospital emergency room in this nation indicating (in several languages) that you will be accepted for care regardless of your ability to pay."

Not in my town. They just shut down several more emergency rooms and one hospital because of the number of illegal aliens who had received medical care regardless of their ability to pay and they didn't pay.

The average wait for everyone in local emergency rooms now is about 4 1/2 hours. I once witnessed a woman miscarrying in the ER waiting room and begged the clerk to take her next. The clerk said that there was no room for the woman - only one doctor and some gunshot wounds had just arrived by ambulance.

Stoat said: "...Similarly, any U.S. dentist who would see a patient like this would take steps to ensure that he gets rapid care."

Again, not in my town. You have to have insurance or prove the ability to pay or they won't see you.

[vikingsteve]

Job Search Allowance is the dole. The unemployment benefit.

North Wales is a deprived area.

NHS requires that you "register" with a local dentist / doctor before getting public treatment. sounds ok in practise but in reality they have waiting lists.

Public health sucks in britain.

And whilst they pay hundreds of millions for "asylm seekers" from Kosovo (many of them fake) good british kids like this have to suffer.

Europe has gone bonkers.

[bd476]

BTW, I agree with you that that boy should have received dental and medical care regardless of his ability to pay.

[backhoe]

Again, not in my town. You have to have insurance or prove the ability to pay or they won't see you.

Mind telling us where you live?

Frankly, I don't believe you.

[bd476]

It is not important whether you believe me or not, nor is your belief relevant. And don't call me frankly.

[FormerACLUmember]

NHS requires that you "register" with a local dentist / doctor before getting public treatment. sounds ok in practise but in reality they have waiting lists.

The problem is that the British dentists no longer even take you on their "lists." All your other points are 100% accurate.

[FormerACLUmember]

Again, not in my town. You have to have insurance or prove the ability to pay or they won't see you. Mind telling us where you live? Frankly, I don't believe you.

He probably lives in LA and he is accurate. The ERs are closing like wildfire in California, due to the illeagal invaders and a law called EMTALA (free unfunded ER care to one and all).

Also, 99% of dentists will noit see you without "insurance or prove the ability to pay" throughout the world. That includes Britain and your home town.

[Stoat]

"Stoat said: "This is something that happens in the USA...there is a sign in every hospital emergency room in this nation indicating (in several languages) that you will be accepted for care regardless of your ability to pay."

Not in my town. They just shut down several more emergency rooms and one hospital because of the number of illegal aliens who had received medical care regardless of their ability to pay and they didn't pay.

The average wait for everyone in local emergency rooms now is about 4 1/2 hours. I once witnessed a woman miscarrying in the ER waiting room and begged the clerk to take her next. The clerk said that there was no room for the woman - only one doctor and some gunshot wounds had just arrived by ambulance. "

I would be the last person to suggest that everything is perfect in the US healthcare system.  Rising costs, due in large measure to people such as John Edwards and his friends in the Trial Lawyers' Association, and yes, illegal aliens, have forced the shutdown of hospitals and emergency rooms in some areas.

The answer, however, is not a Socialized system like Great Britain's or Canada's.  The answer lies in addressing the problems of tort reform, excessive litigation and illegal immigration.

 

Stoat said: "...Similarly, any U.S. dentist who would see a patient like this would take steps to ensure that he gets rapid care."

Again, not in my town. You have to have insurance or prove the ability to pay or they won't see you.

The key phrase in my statement, which I stand by, is " a patient like this " with 'like this' meaning a near-critical patient such as what is described in this article.  A patient LIKE THIS would not be turned away from any dentist or hospital in the USA.  Steps would be taken to insure treatment and time-payments would be arranged or in the case of a completely indigent person, charity care can be provided.

[backhoe]

That includes Britain and your home town.

In my home town, the ER's are plastered with signs stating treatment must be given, regardless of ablity to pay.

And they do routine extractions. Dentists in private practice may be another matter- but help is available.

[backhoe]

And don't call me frankly.

Keep a civil tongue in your head.

[bd476]

LOL. Laughter is the calling card of civility.

[bd476]

It would be great if what you said applies to my town. It really would. But it doesn't.

BTW that's a cute animal you have on your profile page. Is it a ferret?

[FormerACLUmember]

In my home town, the ER's are plastered with signs stating treatment must be given, regardless of ablity to pay. And they do routine extractions. Dentists in private practice may be another matter- but help is available.

You live in a fortunate town. The EMTALA law (that sign saying care is "free") is increasingly ignored due to escalating staffing deficiencies and the shrinking number of ERs in the USA.

Another factor is the lawyer crisis. Malpractice insurance rate increases are eliminating many medical key specialties from participation in the "free" ER care.

Try geting a neurosurgeon in any ER in many Florida or Mississippi counties. They are as extinct as the US flu vaccine industry. Coming to your home town soon.

[ApplegateRanch]

Socialized medicine is not the problem here, as I see it; stupidity, lack of follow through, and lack of problem-solving skills on the part of the "victim" and his family are.

A. 121 pounds that he can't afford to have it pulled, but mum & da, will run him all over the country for several days, rather than make an arrangement for repayment?

B. After two hours, Mumsy had to leave because of shoulder pain...but couldn't leave 19 YO Sonny at the hospital to contine waiting his turn?

C. He only tries to contact or see ONE dentist or clinic each day????

My wife just had a dental emergency. Neither dentist here in town could see her for a few days, but it still only took a few more calls to find someone about 30 miles away that could get her in, and our state has the LOWEST per-capita number of dentists in the contiguous 48.

It takes persistence, some honest explanations, and sometimes one must even do without 25-30 text messages/day, with the latest ringtone; and a nightly trip to the pub to make ends meet...especially on a "Jobseekers Allowance".

[beaversmom]

Job Search Allowance is the dole. The unemployment benefit.

I figured Job Seekers Allowance was unemployment. The lefties sure do come up with some nice, politically correct synoyms, don't they?

[FormerACLUmember]

Major bump for accurate analysis and clear thinking to post #45.

[beaversmom]

Guess this is the mentality that you get when you expect the government to take care of you.

[Stoat]

"It would be great if what you said applies to my town. It really would. But it doesn't."

This may be an aspect of healthcare that you have not had the misfortune of needing, and for that you are truly Blessed.  For those who are desperately poor and indigent, as well as those who are suffering a near or immediate life threat there are options that they can avail themselves of.  It's a nationwide law that stipulates all hospitals provide care to critical patients...this does not vary from one community to the next.  Yes, they will turn you away if you have a non-critical injury or illness and cannot pay, but for those TRULY in dire need, there is help regardless of where you live in the USA.

Although the young man in this article was eventually treated, he should have been seen before his condition became life-threatening.  This is a failure of the British healthcare system that would not have occurred in the USA, regardless of where he lived.

BTW that's a cute animal you have on your profile page. Is it a ferret?

Thank you for your compliment.  It is a Stoat, genus mustelidae.  It is similar to the American weasel, but is far more intelligent and is legendary for an appreciation of vivacious, buxom ladies, fine scotch and an occasional steak.

[FormerACLUmember]

The technical term for the weasel parents of this poor lad, is that they suffer "blue state mentality."