National Health Service bars woman after she saw private doctor

The Times (UK) ^ | April 18, 2010 | Isabel Oakeshott

[PotatoHeadMick]

A WOMAN has been denied an operation on the NHS after paying for a private consultation to deal with her severe back pain.

Jenny Whitehead, a breast cancer survivor, paid £250 for an appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon after being told she would have to wait five months to see him on the NHS. He told her he would add her to his NHS waiting list for surgery.

She was barred from the list, however, and sent back to her GP. She must now find at least £10,000 for private surgery, or wait until the autumn for the NHS operation to remove a cyst on her spine.

“When I paid £250 to see the specialist privately I had no idea I would be sacrificing my right to surgery on the NHS. I feel victimised,” she said.

[PotatoHeadMick]

The joys of socialised medicine, coming to the US soon.

[Clintonfatigued]

Coming to America?

[pnh102]

Socialist health care strikes again.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

I’m sure all members of Parliament etc. would have the same problem,.., or not.

[LukeL]

At most I think the waiting list for surgery in the US is like 2 weeks unless it is 100% cosmetic.

[Truth29]

Obama’s dream, have your wealth redistributed, conform, or die.

[darkangel82]

I hate Socialism.
ping

[Pollster1]

We should thank Obama for bringing us ObamaCare. We should thank Pelosi for what she is about to do to American medicine. Soon our medical system will be just like Britain’s, and we will all follow gratefully (if only because the IRS-health agents will punish those who resist just as the NHS is punishing this woman).

[Tulane]

When I broke my leg in three places, I had surgery the next day...paid for entirely by my insurance. The doctor said I had to have quick surgery before the bones began to heal improperly. So insurance paid for an operation that took place within 19 hours of my accident. The horror of US healthcare before 2010.

[FourPeas]

Bradford and Airedale NHS trust said it was looking into the case “as a matter of urgency” but added: “Anyone who chooses to pay for a private outpatient consultation cannot receive NHS treatment unless they are then referred on to an NHS pathway by their consultant.”

Yep, this is what happens when bureaucrats get their fingers into a system.

[GeronL]

oh my gawd.

government medicine!

[PLMerite]

“I feel victimised,” she said.

Honey, you’ve been victimized for years, you’re just now at the head of the list.

[Neidermeyer]

This is what happens in the UK ,, this is not photoshop

http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/1162

Mr Eeles claims his first two operations at the Queen Elizabeth II hospital in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, were canceled due to a lack of beds and operating time respectively. His third operation in February was postponed after he was found to have high blood pressure, while the fourth, scheduled for May, was abandoned because of concerns about his smoking. So, 10 months later, Eeles left arm still dangles uselessly at his side. No one wants a one-armed plumber. So at 50, he is out of work and he could lose his home.

[kittymyrib]

Hope the ignoramuses in the Congress who mistakenly included themselves in Obama HellCare will enjoy Socialized medicine.

[lowbridge]

bump

[Beelzebubba]

When I broke my leg in three places, I had surgery the next day...

---

Were you at a Republican fundraiser in New Orleans recently?

[grumpygresh]

She should have spent the 250 pounds paying off the bureaucrat who runs the surgical waiting lists. I would not be surprised if the NHS runs like a criminal enterprise.
In any event, it would probably be cheaper and faster for her to hop on a plane for some offshore medical clinic for surgery (after the volcano clears up)

[RobbyS]

Queue up or else!

[CORedneck]

I had surgery a week ago. It was a hernia repair. I saw the hernia after I got done working out and thought something wasn’t right so I went to see the Dr. I talked to one surgeon and I would not be able to get it done until mid next month. I contacted a different surgeon, had an appointment a few days later and had surgery two days after that.

Didn’t want to wai until the hernia was an emergency which can be very bad news. I caught it in its early stages. After surgery, didn’t need to take the painkiller narcotics which made me happy !

I know with Obama Deathcare, I would have had to wait at least 6 months to a year !

[writer33]

Soon to be in America. Healthcare his way. See what we’ve got to look forward to.

[Quix]

CRUEL BUSTARDS FROM HELL.

[writer33]

Yep. Agreed.

[TNdandelion]

It’s sucks that she has to wait so long for NHS care, but I have to agree with the denial. She shouldn’t be able to pay to get ahead of the line on the NHS system.

[Hillbillary]

Hey Mr Eeles, what are you up to?

Mr Eeles: ahh, just hanging around.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[nagdt]

Amazing isn’t it? We hear so many nightmares about NHS and the Canadian healthcare system. I just don’t see the problem with the someone paying extra to be seen early! I’m just a pathetic capitalist. My understanding is that in New Zealand, those who pay a “stipend” each month - rather than getting health care for free - get to jump to the front of the line at the hospital and doc’s offices.

One of my oldest friends has a wife and two “tweenagers” over in New Zealand...and he pays 120 NZ dollars each month for front of the line rights. I’ve got NO problem with that at all. NHS is having some major $$ problems, so they should take a lesson from NZ.

[bamahead]

Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!
View past Libertarian pings here

[Truth29]

"It?s sucks that she has to wait so long for NHS care, but I have to agree with the denial. She shouldn?t be able to pay to get ahead of the line on the NHS system."

She didn't pay to go to the head of the line, she went outside the system and now is barred from use of the system. This sounds like a giant step toward care like Obama's dream utilization panels. It will reduce costs by increasing the death rate of patients by enforced waiting times.

[Lady Jag]

Yes, but this is for the benefit of all!

[FormerACLUmember]

Nothing is more vicious or evil than a socialist.

And I am sure these rules don’t apply to the socialist d-bagsin Parliament.

[Rocky]

But that won’t happen here. I promise. Our health service will be every bit as good as our postal service.

[TNdandelion]

No. She was told that if she went through the NHS system, it would take her 5 months to get an appt to see the ortho doc. she opted to pay $250 to see the same doc for a private consultation and she got the appt sooner. No problems there.

He told her she needed surgery and he would put her on the NHS surgery list...not a private payment surgery list and that's where she went wrong.

She hasn't been denied the surgery...she's been denied having the surgery sooner than when they (NHS) told her it would be available before she paid to see the doctor.

It's terrible that everyone on the NHS system has to wait so long for necessary medical care but I don't believe that anyone should be able to jump the line for $250. If she wants it sooner, fork over the $10,000.

[Truth29]

That proves my point. The government health care system will use waiting times to control costs and reduce demand. She has been barred from the waiting list and must start completely over - wait for an appointment with a doctor in the NHS channel for a referral and then be added to the back of whatever waiting list applies.

[TNdandelion]

I never argued that I approve of the NHS system and I completely agree with you regarding the wait times and control issues. ;) But if all you have to do is pony up $250 to get a private doc to bump you up to the front of the list, everyone would do that..right? I think her mistake was going private but wanting the surgery on the NHS system rather than having the surgery done on her own dime.

[calex59]

I think her mistake was going private but wanting the surgery on the NHS system rather than having the surgery done on her own dime.

Due to the high taxes and lack of jobs in the UK, I doubt she had the money to pay for the surgery. You claim you don't agree with this system yet you defend it. What is wrong with "everyone" paying the $250 to get faster service if that is what is required to be treated before you die from whatever disease you have.

IMO, whatever individuals can do to thwart the evil frickin' system known as NHS is fair.

[TNdandelion]

I don't agree with the system, but that is the system that they have. If they don't like it, they need to work to change it.

The problem with paying $250 to get bumped to the front of the line is that she didn't pay the $250 to the NHS system for faster service perks or additional benefits. She paid $250 to an individual with access. What's wrong with that? Corruption anyone?

Another poster mentioned something about New Zealand's health system where you could choose to pay an additional monthly fee that went back to the govt healthcare service for more benefits (faster service, etc). That's one thing but that's not what this lady was doing. She was paying outside the system but wanted her fellow citizens to pick up the tab for the surgery. That would be an incredible deal if it worked that way but it doesn't and if everyone did the same thing, it would just create another nightmare waiting list, ultimately ending with doctors selling prime spots on the NHS waiting lists to the highest bidder.

Personally, I think it's awesome that the UK at least has the option for people to pay for private healthcare outside of the NHS, even though it's expensive. I thought it was illegal to do so in Canada forcing everyone to use the same system or leave the country for healthcare.

[elkfersupper]

At most I think the waiting list for surgery in the US is like 2 weeks unless it is 100% cosmetic.

For now.

[elkfersupper]

It’s sucks that she has to wait so long for NHS care, but I have to agree with the denial. She shouldn’t be able to pay to get ahead of the line on the NHS system.

Why?

[elkfersupper]

Why are you defending this bullcrap?

[TNdandelion]

Why don’t you know how to read?

[reardensteel]

Yup, they just didn’t do socialized medicine the “right way”. This time it will be different because “we” are going to do it right. /Sarc

[Oceander]

Welcome to Obastardcare! This WILL happen in the US, and notice, it had nothing to do with cost-control or anything else, it was merely bureaucratic pique at the fact that she had the temerity to step out of line and try to take care of herself rather than standing around in the herd like a good little sheeple.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

I know what I’d be using the other arm for till my dying breath.

[elkfersupper]

Why don’t you know how to read?

Been reading since before you were born.

Why don't you know how to reason?

[TNdandelion]

I gave a very reasonable explanation in that thread.