To cut through the flannel, nothing is "FREE" as you mention frequently, many do not consider the NHS to be a treasure but believe it to be a state run monopoly that will never improve all the time treatment options are more or less restricted to the one provider, something like the old Soviet Union.
Of course I have used private healthcare, this being no panacea as you will most likely be dealing with the same medics as you would be under the NHS, though in more pleasant surroundings and jumping the waiting list, avoiding the proles in the NHS waiting rooms is a big plus.
Despite you protestations clearly "Your NHS" did not work for you as you had to purchase your own machine, out of taxed income, not a system to shout about I would have thought.
Now this sounds a little more like it!
After reading posts about the condition of hospitals in the UK , both good and bad and emails from my brother on service for my sister-in-law, plus two cousins complaining of both doctors and hospitals,I thought I would write a post about my visit accompanying a patient yesterday to the Medical University of South Carolina, Ashley River Tower Hospital, while it is fresh in my mind.
At 6:15am we parked the car on the third floor of a nine story parking garage and walked a short distance to what is called a skywalk a glass enclosed pedestrian walkway connecting to Ashley River Towers Hospital which is one of five hospitals grouped together that form the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
We left the skyway and entered another glass enclosed corridor then automatic doors opened and we entered the hospital proper.* The first thing we noted was a concierge station and two receptionists to direct you to were you should go.* Next nearby was a baby grand* piano, silent now, but from noon to 4:00 p.m. volunteer musicians and music teachers etc. play show tunes or light classical music.,* It's a nice soothing way to enter a hospital environment.* next you would be instantly aware you were in a massive* atrium, five stories high and half a city block wide, a glass enclosed open space that rose five floors above and the glass ceiling way up that flooded the place with natural light.* Central were three flights of stairs going down to ground level. Naturally there were side elevators for use as well.
We walked down the staircase and entered the registration area.* Insurance etc. was verified and we were given instructions where to go for our appointment, smoothly and efficiently, and asked if we parked and for our ticket it was stamped and we were told it would be for a maximum three dollar charge for each twenty-four hours of a patients stay or day visit..
As instructed we took an elevator to the third floor.* On board were other patients, doctors, nurses etc. everyone said good morning to us as we entered, the closest to the door asked our floor and punched it onto the elevator keyboard.* Charleston, S.C. has won the title "The most friendliest city in the USA" for years and new arrivals soon get into the urge to retain that title, and friendly greetings are the norm.
We left the elevator on floor three. A receptionist asked if she could help us and directed us to our area.* Again the perimeter was all glass and I could see the small boat mariner and harbor area* of Charleston harbor.* We checked-in and a comfortable waiting area set-up in small groupings, armchairs, couches around coffee tables with current magazines available plus there was a complimentary twenty-four hour individual regular and decaffeinated coffee brewing station, very welcome at 6:45am.
At seven a.m. my patient's name was called and followed an attendant who led the way into the surgical area.* At around 7:30 a.m. I was called and escorted to the room were the patient was prepped ready for the surgical procedure.*
A screen was displaying vital signs, and the nurse was typing away on a computer.* All allergies were double checked and identified by bracelets.* Medical history was verbally gone over.
Next a senior resident came in and the procedure to be used was explained, plus how a recover would follow and that the surgeon would stop by and discuss the completed surgical procedure and* follow-up etc.
A resident anesthesiologist* was next and using the in-room computer station verified name date of birth and the patients knowledge of what was to be done.* She reviewed the patients medical chart, triple checking meds, allergies and past medical history.* This additionally had been handwritten on a large white board, visible to all who came in the room.
She explained the type of anesthesia that would be used and the name of the head anesthesiologist in charge.
7:50am and the patient was rolled away a little sleepy already.
The room was comparable to a very good hotel standard, modern furnishings and spotless.* The walls were decorated with photo scenes of the* Charleston area.
The nurses wore colored tops and pants as did the nursing assistants each with there own color, I assume for easy recognition.* The orderlies that* pushed the gurney wore a modern track suite of yet another color.
An attendant brought me a cup of coffee while I waited in the room.
The procedure completed, we had a three hour wait for a couple of x rays to be taken to confirm all was in order, which it was.* In between the surgeon came in and briefly explained what he had done and how the procedure went from his p.o.v..* No problems.
The last x ray was taken and the doctor okayed that the patient could resume eating and drinking.* The nurse brought in a menu, anything could be ordered off the cafeteria/dining restaurant menu.* She said the time would be anytime up to three quarters of an hour or they had pre-made picnic boxes, Juice, milk or coffee.* A picnic box was agreeable, as the patient had not eaten since the previous dinner and was starving.* The box meal consisted or a cheese and turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. A packet of graham cracker cookies, a bag of baked chips (crisps) and a container of apple sauce and a small can of coke.
The patient was discharged with follow up instructions.
I left to get my car, vacated the garage and paid three dollars parking drove around the hospital and up a large circular ramp and the patient was waiting seated in a wheelchair with an attendant to see to the car door and give assistants.
Thus ended a trip to the hospital.* Both the patient and I are senior citizens, U.S. Medicare is our primary coverage for which a senior pays one hundred dollars a month out of a monthly pension for 80% coverage, the remaining 20% is covered by a supplemental insurance policy @ $420.00 a month, the patients was roughly the same.
Out-of-pocket for the day was gas for the car and $3 parking.
Results are coming in daily on one's computer on what is called "My Chart" which is the patients complete medical history which can be seen only by the individual patient and his/her doctors and other doctors (who must I.D. themselves before access).
Currently all the results from tests taken during this visit are being posted.
I know it's a bit lengthy and I've tried to give all details no matter how mundane to give you an awareness of the medical system I am exposed too.
I have limited experience of UK hospitals.* My one visit was to visit my grandmother in Whips Cross General Hospital in 1993.* She was stuck in a ward for about sixteen, with a tatty screen in want of being turned into polishing rags for privacy.* And while I, my wife and my Canadian first cousin visited, a nurse brought her a cup* of tea, with milk, six sugar cubes, and two chocolate covered digestive biscuits....My grandmother was a diabetic, which my pished off cousin quickly pointed out and was sharply told one cup of tea wouldn't harm her!* That and the general ancient age of equipment and facility did not impress us.* Still that was a long time ago and my only introduction to the NHS.
My only other exposure to Europe's system was my car was broken into in Seville, Spain and a bag stolen which contained my medication.* I went to the Seville University Hospital to get a replacement prescription.* We did, but it was scruffy and dirty, as were the hospital employees and most patients and staff were smoking.* And this was a medical university hospital who's existence is to train their nations future medical staff.
I guess the answer is if we are all happy with our medical system regardless it's the right one for each of us.* I just thought my report on a hospital visit in the USA may be of interest.
A link to Ashley River Tower:
https://www.bing.com/search?q=ashley...=en-US&PC=DCTE
If you click on to the links you will see the ground floor concierge station, if you look behind them you will see the stairway I mentioned and at the top is the piano station.*
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