Sweden v Ireland healthcare

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 07:31PM #1

So been weighing my options lately as to whether I should stay on our little isle or move back to Sweden. The main (and really only) issue that's making me think about leaving is the healthcare system here... quite frankly it scares the bejezus out of me, especially as I'm middle aged now. Far better in Sweden, no question. I love this country and am happy here, but worried about what the future might bring if I or my partner were to need medical care...which will happen sooner rather than later I'm sure as we're both middle aged now.

What say ye...would you consider a move there if you had the chance? I'm not going to base my decision on the responses I get in AH

, have to have a serious discussion over Christmas with the other half over about it, just wanted to see what ye think.

Would you leave Ireland for Sweden or any other affluent country just because our healthcare system is substandard? how important is it really to you?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 10-12-2019 07:35PM

Just because of the Health System? Absolutely not.

I'm well past middle age and would still not have the fears you seem to have over the inadequacies of the system. It wouldn't be a deciding factor for me.

10-12-2019 07:35PM

In before the Infowars experts who've never set foot on Swedish soil.

ArchXStanton · 10-12-2019 07:37PM

I'd leave, my father got a cancer on his ear about the size of a pimple a few months back, by the time he waited to get it seen too and removed it had grown to the size of a strawberry and he lost his ear, it boils my piss this country

LessOutragePlz · 10-12-2019 07:38PM

If I were you I'd be worrying about living right now in this moment so if you'll be happier here then stay here no point worrying about getting medical care when you're older when you could get hit by a bus tomorrow.

Allinall · 10-12-2019 07:38PM

Just take out private health insurance.

Fr_Dougal · 10-12-2019 07:46PM

Greentopia wrote: »

So been weighing my options lately as to whether I should stay on our little isle or move back to Sweden. The main (and really only) issue that's making me think about leaving is the healthcare system here... quite frankly it scares the bejezus out of me, especially as I'm middle aged now. Far better in Sweden, no question. I love this country and am happy here, but worried about what the future might bring if I or my partner were to need medical care...which will happen sooner rather than later I'm sure as we're both middle aged now.

What say ye...would you consider a move there if you had the chance? I'm not going to base my decision on the responses I get in AH , have to have a serious discussion over Christmas with the other half over about it, just wanted to see what ye think.

Would you leave Ireland for Sweden or any other affluent country just because our healthcare system is substandard? how important is it really to you?

Have you used our healthcare system lately?

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 07:54PM

Ricardo Handsome Ibex wrote: »

Just because of the Health System? Absolutely not.

I'm well past middle age and would still not have the fears you seem to have over the inadequacies of the system. It wouldn't be a deciding factor for me.

Good to hear. Genuinely Ricardo Handsome Ibex. How do you deal then with the endless stream of bad news about it as someone who's getting older here? trolley crisis, overcrowding in A&E, waiting lists, billions for the new children hospital, ambulances turning up too late for chronically ill people, cervical smear scandal... and on and on.
I'm someone who likes certainty in life and pay my taxes expecting a decent service in return. Not an unreasonable expectation I feel, but one which is not met. I have zero confidence the present government has any serious interest in solving any of those problems and I don't think FF are any better. It's just...crisis management and limiting the political damage.

I had private cover here when I returned but left it lapse. If I stay I will definitely return to it, but even with private cover problems remain.

Why don't you have any fears about it? not saying you should :pac: just wondering how you deal with what's going on.

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 07:56PM

ArchXStanton wrote: »

I'd leave, my father got a cancer on his ear about the size of a pimple a few months back, by the time he waited to get it seen too and removed it had grown to the size of a strawberry and he lost his ear, it boils my piss this country

Oh Lord, so sorry to hear that.

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 07:59PM

LessOutragePlz wrote: »

If I were you I'd be worrying about living right now in this moment so if you'll be happier here then stay here no point worrying about getting medical care when you're older when you could get hit by a bus tomorrow.

That's how I try to think. I'm just someone who likes to be in control of things that affect me and my partner and this makes me feel helpless and rather scared.

Salary Negotiator · 10-12-2019 07:59PM

ArchXStanton wrote: »

I'd leave, my father got a cancer on his ear about the size of a pimple a few months back, by the time he waited to get it seen too and removed it had grown to the size of a strawberry and he lost his ear, it boils my piss this country

That’s reads like he waited until it got bigger before seeing a doctor about it. Can’t blame the health system for that.

If I’ve taken you up wrong then I apologise.

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 08:01PM

Allinall wrote: »

Just take out private health insurance.

I did have it but not at the moment. Private health insurance doesn't solve all the problems one may be likely to encounter though that I mentioned. It just means you can skip the waiting lists and get a nicer room.

ArchXStanton · 10-12-2019 08:01PM

Salary Negotiator wrote: »

That’s reads like he waited until it got bigger before seeing a doctor about it. Can’t blame the health system for that.

If I’ve taken you up wrong then I apologise.

You've taken it up wrong

enricoh · 10-12-2019 08:03PM

If I was single I would definitely leave Ireland for Sweden! Dunno how the health systems compare though. on the other hand e12 a pint and a longer winter would get old fast !

andekwarhola · 10-12-2019 08:04PM

Health insurance here probably work out cheaper than 12 euro beers for the rest of your life.

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 08:05PM

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Have you used our healthcare system lately?

No. Last time was a doctors appointment early in the year for routine blood tests. Haven't been inside a hospital for about 7 or 8 years when I had an elective minor surgery.

bunderoon · 10-12-2019 08:07PM

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Have you used our healthcare system lately?

I'm 3 years waiting for an MRI appointment. Any day now. Any day...

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 08:10PM

Salary Negotiator wrote: »

That’s reads like he waited until it got bigger before seeing a doctor about it. Can’t blame the health system for that.

If I’ve taken you up wrong then I apologise.

That's what I thought too. Apology from me too if I'm wrong!

ush · 10-12-2019 08:11PM

You're a worrier. Its 2019 everywhere. In Sweden or Ireland you've a better standard of living than most. Relax.

kennypowers · 10-12-2019 08:21PM

bunderoon wrote: »

I'm 3 years waiting for an MRI appointment. Any day now. Any day...

Its about 200/250 for a MRI in affeida scan centers.Not to belittle your predicament but surely that amount could be gathered or saved between yourself and immediate family.3 days is too long to wait never mind 3 years when it comes to your own health.

Vita nova · 10-12-2019 08:21PM

What about France? Has one of the best health services in Europe and it has a lot to offer in terms of climate, scenery, food & drink, etc.

As for me, I wouldn't leave because of the health service but the climate and the smallness of Ireland can be a pain at times.

Gynoid · 10-12-2019 08:21PM

bunderoon wrote: »

I'm 3 years waiting for an MRI appointment. Any day now. Any day...

I dont have health insurance or a medical card, as I cannot afford the former and earn too much for the latter. An MRI done in a private hospital near me is 295 euros. I would spend it on my car in a heartbeat if needed, thus likewise for myself. That is how I approach healthcare in my elder-youth years (

) if it can wait I go public, if it bothers me I pay private for the tests to make sure nothing bad is up and so far thank God it works.
Dont wait 3 years for an MRI. Just book one privately.

Gynoid · 10-12-2019 08:21PM

kennypowers wrote: »

Its about 200/250 for a MRI in affeida scan centers.Not to belittle your predicament but surely that amount could be gathered or saved between yourself and immediate family.3 days is too long to wait never mind 3 years when it comes to your own health.

Snap!

Wibbs · 10-12-2019 08:27PM

When I went through many years of engagement with our health system as a carer of a relative, I have to say the standard and speed of care was for the most part extremely professional and speedy. Ambulances were quick to show up(999 calls. Many of them. Five in their last year of life alone) and they were seen and treated in double quick time. The GP was variable at first, but that improved, the standard of local nursing care was beyond exemplary, as were the care assistants. It was first under private healthcare and then public. The only real difference I found was private got a private room, but TBH I preferred the more close attention with a semipublic. That was my experience anyway.

However that was in Dublin, within fifteen, twenty minutes of three hospitals and I made myself a strong, persistent and informed advocate. If it were in a more rural isolated location and say two elderly people involved the difference in care could well be there, but I can't speak to that from personal experience.

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 08:28PM

enricoh wrote: »

If I was single I would definitely leave Ireland for Sweden! Dunno how the health systems compare though. on the other hand e12 a pint and a longer winter would get old fast !

andekwarhola wrote: »

Health insurance here probably work out cheaper than 12 euro beers for the rest of your life.

The Swedish system has it's problems too-accessing primary care was the main one I remember-it takes longer to get a GP appointment there than it does here.

But there are primary care clinics everywhere, you don't have to pay for private insurance as the public one is great, and it's fast and cheap to get a specialist appointment in comparison to here. I found it to be excellent overall. Clean and efficient hospitals and clinics. It's ranked as one of the top healthcare systems in the world for a reason.

The long Winters I don't really mind. It takes a year or more to acclimatise to though. Everyone just makes the most of the snow and make their homes "mysig"- cosy, comfortable and warm, with lots of candles.

€12 a pint...meh that's only in pubs and clubs and I'm not into that anymore. I'm not a big drinker and the Systembolaget -state owned alcohol shops sell a great selection of affordable wines and beer if I want that.

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 08:29PM

bunderoon wrote: »

I'm 3 years waiting for an MRI appointment. Any day now. Any day...

See it's stuff like this that terrifies me.

Hope you get some good news soon. 3 years though...fcuk that.

ush · 10-12-2019 08:35PM

€12 a pint? Bull****. More like €8 for a Guinness, €7.50 for a lager. But if you continue drinking like an Irish person, you may as well stay in Ireland. Don't be one of those Irish who falls into the local Irish pub and never leaves.

Jonybgud · 10-12-2019 08:35PM

Anyone who uses the word 'bejezus' in a sentence should just leave.

Greentopia · 10-12-2019 08:38PM

ush wrote: »

You're a worrier. Its 2019 everywhere. In Sweden or Ireland you've a better standard of living than most. Relax.

What gave it away?

I know...and I'm not just worried about myself, I'm worried about my partner too. Am I mad to expect him to leave the security of the German system (he's German) and move here and be subjected to god knows what in the Irish one??

I'm thinking what if he fell ill and something happened to him that would have been treatable or treated in a more timely manner if he'd stayed in Germany? I'd be devastated and feel it's my fault. He's all I have in this world...sorry if that sounds cringe but it's the truth. I'd be lost without him.

ush · 10-12-2019 08:41PM

First world problems. Count yourself lucky.

Tony EH · 10-12-2019 08:45PM

Greentopia wrote: »

So been weighing my options lately as to whether I should stay on our little isle or move back to Sweden. The main (and really only) issue that's making me think about leaving is the healthcare system here... quite frankly it scares the bejezus out of me, especially as I'm middle aged now. Far better in Sweden, no question. I love this country and am happy here, but worried about what the future might bring if I or my partner were to need medical care...which will happen sooner rather than later I'm sure as we're both middle aged now.

What say ye...would you consider a move there if you had the chance? I'm not going to base my decision on the responses I get in AH , have to have a serious discussion over Christmas with the other half over about it, just wanted to see what ye think.

Would you leave Ireland for Sweden or any other affluent country just because our healthcare system is substandard? how important is it really to you?

The public health system really isn't that bad here. The horror stories - which are in every type of system - are outweighed by the positive ones. Could it be better, yes. But, it could be much, much worse.

Move back if you're not happy here. That's all the reason you should need. If you're happy, stay put.

Sweden v Ireland healthcare

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