Just wonder if anyone cares anymore....

Missyelliot2 · 10-10-2013 12:15AM #1

My father-in-law (aged 80) just spent 32 hours on a hospital trolley (along with many more). He 'was lucky' to get a bed - (Having worked his entire life) That's considered luck?

Just your thoughts on what the f*** is going on and what I can do help it change?
Sorry ....just upset:(

HalloweenJack · 10-10-2013 12:22AM

I live in Spain. Recently, a friend of mine who just moved here to start work, with no social insurance or private health insurance, had appendicitis and had to have it removed. Not a bother. Her only problem was they had noone to explain it to her in English.

In Finland, a country much more expensive than Ireland, a friend of mine got treated (nine stitches in his head after a drunken fall) in A&E for a fiver.

I'm not generally one to wade in on the populist debates but this is defo one. Irish health system is a joke.

IvaBigWun · 10-10-2013 12:24AM

Unfortunately more and more people are leaving the likes of VHI so they can pay their mortgage.

You have my sympathy OP

PickledLime · 10-10-2013 12:25AM

Demand outstrips supply, bugger all we can do about it I'm afraid.

Most people know someone who has endured a farcical wait in the corridor at this stage

Karl Stein · 10-10-2013 12:26AM

Everyone wants world class services but nobody wants to pay.

I can't understand why we don't just look at another similarly sized country/population and clone it.

Manach · 10-10-2013 12:27AM

Likely in the next budget more increases to the USC and a corresponding "cut" in services.

Missyelliot2 · 10-10-2013 12:27AM

HalloweenJack wrote: »

I live in Spain. Recently, a friend of mine who just moved here to start work, with no social insurance or private health insurance, had appendicitis and had to have it removed. Not a bother. Her only problem was they had noone to explain it to her in English.

In Finland, a country much more expensive than Ireland, a friend of mine got treated (nine stitches in his head after a drunken fall) in A&E for a fiver.

I'm not generally one to wade in on the populist debates but this is defo one. Irish health system is a joke.

Thanks so much - thought it was just me. Have moved back here from the Netherlands - unbelievable healthcare.

Was in UK too, and on my (free) doctors visit, was asked to contribute £2.00 to cost of prescription at the chemist.

Just reeling that a man in his 80s is left there - I did read about this, but really believe it could be that bad - and it is.
It's just sad

cigar_chomper · 10-10-2013 12:33AM

maybe if wealthy pensioners didn't have free medical cards , their would be more money to spend on essentials

an uncle of mine who is a retired guard with two investment properties also has a medica card

goverments spend money where they want to

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 10-10-2013 12:33AM

Charlie Rock wrote: »

Everyone wants world class services but nobody wants to pay.

I can't understand why we don't just look at another similarly sized country/population and clone it.

You answered your own question.

You dont pay a fiver in Finalnd to be treated in A&E - you pay a hell of a lot more in taxes, but you mention this to the Irish taxpayer...? Nah!

Unfortauntely, necessities like mortgages and second cars are more important than the luxaries like health it would seem.

Karl Stein · 10-10-2013 12:34AM

Missyelliot2 wrote: »

Was in UK too, and on my (free) doctors visit

It's not free. The cost is socialised. Someone pays somewhere, somehow.

Hilly Bill · 10-10-2013 12:35AM

What needs to be done is the HSE getting tough on the bed blockers. There are far too many taking up a hospital bed just because they are old and nowhere to go. Hospital beds should be for the sick, if someone is well enough to hang around the main door smoking all day then they don't need the bed.

OP, what was wrong with your father in law?

Cody Pomeray · 10-10-2013 12:37AM

Charlie Rock wrote: »

Everyone wants world class services but nobody wants to pay.

I can't understand why we don't just look at another similarly sized country/population and clone it.

Never understood this either.

It's like we're a nation of artists. We admire other nations' great works, but we couldn't possibly just trace and copy. No, we have to do it 'our way' and be original about it. Why???

Why can we not just look at the swedish or spanish or dutch models and say RIGHT that works, everyone stop what you're doing, this is the plan from now on? Maybe this is naive, I genuinely don't understand why this is not possible.

Femme_Fatale · 10-10-2013 12:39AM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

What needs to be done is the HSE getting tough on the bed blockers. There are far too many taking up a hospital bed just because they are old and nowhere to go.

Well when my nana was dying in 1996 she had to be moved from the hospital to a nursing home, in order to free up a hospital bed.

if someone is well enough to hang around the main door smoking all day then they don't need the bed.

Who the **** like that gets a hospital bed?

irish bloke · 10-10-2013 12:40AM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

OP, what was wrong with your father in law?

In all fairness, what's that got to do with it???

Mint Aero · 10-10-2013 12:41AM

cigar_chomper wrote: »

maybe if wealthy pensioners didn't have free medical cards , their would be more money to spend on essentials

an uncle of mine who is a retired guard with two investment properties also has a medica card

goverments spend money where they want to

Great point I vote you to be the next Mary Harney.

Karl Stein · 10-10-2013 12:42AM

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

RIGHT that works, everyone stop what you're doing, this is the plan from now on?

Or even 'right lads, we'll be implementing this tried and tested system, that works well, in 5 years time, if you don't want to be part of it then you've time to make other arrangements'.

It would allow time for contracts to run out and all that stuff.

Dozen Wicked Words · 10-10-2013 12:43AM

So sorry OP, hope your father in law gets well. Yep, it is that bad, getting worse. Long stay beds are getting closed in district hospitals left right and centre. Some patients are just too difficult to manage so the nursing homes don't take them. Carer or home help hours are slashed so families can't take them. So they block beds in acute hospitals, for months on end. Wards get closed, so bed capacity drops. In the ten years I have worked in a general hospital, the equivalent of 2 wards have been closed. There have been patients on trolleys, in ward corridors on and off, all year this year, wait until winter. That is when things get really f7cked up.

StewartGriffin · 10-10-2013 12:44AM

Sincere sympathy OP. I know how it feels. Been there with both parents.

It takes a hell of a lot of political courage to reform it. The first mention of change and everyone from Consultants to Canteen staff dig in their heels and talk strike. But unfortunately the only way to fix it is a radical reform. Public service reform.

Who has the guts to do it? The best minister for health can't do it unless they have the complete backing of the rest of the cabinet to carry it ALL the way through.
Not Going to Happen.

Missyelliot2 · 10-10-2013 12:44AM

Charlie Rock wrote: »

It's not free. The cost is socialised. Someone pays somewhere, somehow.

I know everybody pays.....I did through my taxes from work - I was lucky not to use the doc too much - I really do not mind paying into a system whereby if you need it - you will be looked after.

Here.....it's a complete f up.
I remember always been told re America (80s teen)- you were always fine- as long as you didn't get sick!!

Struggling to find the difference here- and it's in no way the fault of the doctors/nurses

Hilly Bill · 10-10-2013 12:45AM

irish bloke wrote: »

In all fairness, what's that got to do with it???

A lot. It all depends on the nature of the complaint as to the allocation of a bed and if there are people with more serious complaints ahead of you. Age should have nothing to do with it.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 10-10-2013 12:47AM

Missyelliot2 wrote: »

I know everybody pays.....I did through my taxes from work - I was lucky not to use the doc too much - I really do not mind paying into a system whereby if you need it - you will be looked after.

Here.....it's a complete f up.
I remember always been told re America (80s teen)- you were always fine- as long as you didn't get sick!!

Struggling to find the difference here- and it's in no way the fault of the doctors/nurses

We spent out health fund bailing out the banks and the euro debt. We had the money and the finiances to put something good into place, we wasted it.

Hilly Bill · 10-10-2013 12:47AM

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Well when my nana was dying in 1996 she had to be moved from the hospital to a nursing home, in order to free up a hospital bed.

Who the **** like that gets a hospital bed?

Look at the front of every hospital.

Turtwig · 10-10-2013 12:48AM

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Who the **** like that gets a hospital bed?

People awaiting a surgery. People awaiting to be discharged. Basically people who are freely mobile but may require medications, services or monitoring that is only available in the hospital. Just because someone appear in good shape this moment doesn't mean that in the next couple of hours they won't become gravely ill. Lots of maladies are invisible to the everyday observer too.

Edit : just realised you meant this in totally different manner.

Femme_Fatale · 10-10-2013 12:49AM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Look at the front of every hospital.

Visitors? People awaiting an operation? Women in labour? (I don't agree with smoking then but they need a bed). People who are well do not get a hospital bed - saying silly stuff is not helpful to the OP.

The Backwards Man · 10-10-2013 12:49AM

I care. I'd be a multi-millionaire by now if I didn't waste all my money trying to do things with my business for the benefit of others. There are hundreds of thousands more like me.

But there are many more that don't give a fcuk. That's where the problems lie, greed and apathy all too prevalent in all western societies.

Jesus I sound like a hippy

Missyelliot2 · 10-10-2013 12:50AM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

A lot. It all depends on the nature of the complaint as to the allocation of a bed and if there are people with more serious complaints ahead of you. Age should have nothing to do with it.

A clot in his lungs. Serious enough

longshanks · 10-10-2013 12:50AM

But the JamesReilly is going to eradicate homelessness and cigarettes.

He hasn't got time to deal with people on trolleys, 36 hour shifts for junior doctors, or for actual problems. He's going to make-believe solve the unsolvable.

And ignore the real problems. He's definitely not a cunt.

wazky · 10-10-2013 12:51AM

longshanks wrote: »

But the JamesReilly is going to eradicate homelessness and cigarettes.

In fairness the job of re-sizing the warning labels on packs of fags is earth shattering stuff...:rolleyes:

Overheal · 10-10-2013 12:53AM

HalloweenJack wrote: »

I live in Spain. Recently, a friend of mine who just moved here to start work, with no social insurance or private health insurance, had appendicitis and had to have it removed. Not a bother. Her only problem was they had noone to explain it to her in English.

In Finland, a country much more expensive than Ireland, a friend of mine got treated (nine stitches in his head after a drunken fall) in A&E for a fiver.

I'm not generally one to wade in on the populist debates but this is defo one. Irish health system is a joke.

And it was touted as an Ideal system to the american public during the 2009 healthcare debates.

I still shudder at the thought. Is Mary still running the show from behind a bag of chips?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 10-10-2013 12:55AM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I care. I'd be a multi-millionaire by now if I didn't waste all my money trying to do things with my business for the benefit of others. There are hundreds of thousands more like me.

But there are many more that don't give a fcuk. That's where the problems lie, greed and apathy all too prevalent in all western societies.

Jesus I sound like a hippy

Nah, someone just unplugged you from the Matrix

People do care. Unfortunautely, none of them are in power and the whole system is designed to stop them from getting into power.

10-10-2013 12:55AM

Charlie Rock wrote: »

Everyone wants world class services but nobody wants to pay.

I can't understand why we don't just look at another similarly sized country/population and clone it.

Last time I checked we paid the same per capita for the HSE as the NHS. We're not far paying enough.

Just wonder if anyone cares anymore....

Comments