BS: NHS keeping you in the dark

Subject: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 11:37 AM

My wife had a CT scan of the brain in January 2017 following a fall. They told her that nothing was found. This was not true. There was a slight bleed, which doctors were not worried about, but they kept her in the dark in case she got worried.

In July 2017 she was operated on a subdural haematoma after being an inpatient at a private hospital where she was on aspirin as well as anticoagulant injections.

B for bad NHS - the patient has a right to know.

Subject: RE: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 12:19 PM

Sorry for your sufferings.
Had they told you, would it have helped?

Subject: RE: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 12:29 PM

Yes - her Haematologist would have prescribed different anticoagulant treatment, required because of 6 days bed rest/intra-venous antibiotic treatment for leg ulcer infection.

Subject: RE: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: Senoufou
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 12:50 PM

They seem to be running in a very sketchy way these days. I asked for a blood pressure check (It was rather high the last time, a year ago, but no medication was prescribed) They said ' We only do these checks every five years'. I took myself to a Lloyds Pharmacy (free BP tests) and it was absolutely sky high.
On presenting myself at the GP surgery, the doc was a bit shocked, and put me on BP medication straight away. But if I hadn't gone to Lloyds Pharmacy, I'd have been walking around for four years with a BP of 205 over 130. (Or collapsing with a stroke more likely) Not impressed.

I do hope your wife gets better very soon Bonzo. Very worrying for you both.
Eliza

Subject: RE: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 12:56 PM

So besides not telling you, there was nothing in her notes either?

Subject: RE: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: Raggytash
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 01:09 PM

Bonzo, I truly hope your good lady makes a complete and successful recovery.

In defense of the NHS we have to acknowledge that however good our system is, errors can be made. (I know this will be no solace)

Thankfully the people who work in the private sector discovered the issue.

I can almost guarantee though they were trained by the NHS.

I, like you, may have a problem with this, although I suspect our problems may not be the same.

Subject: RE: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 01:58 PM

Thank you for your kind wishes. In fact she has noticed slight loss of memory again recently and a CT scan was requested last Tuesday as a precaution, which has been arranged for this coming Tuesday, to make sure that there is no further bleeding from her brain, which can apparently happen some time after subdural haematoma surgery. Fortunately this is at the local NHS hospital!

Subject: RE: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 02:15 PM

I learned long ago to be very assertive, firm - but as polite as possible, with NHS admin staff...

I hope I don't come over as over demanding and unreasonably self entitled in my expectations of NHS care.

But Drs and health admin are only human and just as fallible as the rest of us,
and will make mistakes.

Which is understandable under the intolerable conditions imposed on them from Govt under-funding...

[Ok - GP's salaries are subject to consideration....???]

When I was 20 and worked as an orderly in a hospital department,
one particular Specialist was quite clueless,
but shielded from ever being even aware of his mistakes by his over protective admin staff...!!!
...and the predominantly working class OAP patients put up with it without question
due to their indoctrinated over deference to their 'superior professional classes'...


btw..one of my nephews has just qualified and is now a hospital junior doctor.
He has always been a bit of an arrogant little sod,
so his choice of profession will certainly reinforce that...

Subject: RE: BS: NHS keeping you in the dark
From: Mrrzy
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 09:32 AM

Absolutely, right to know.

Meanwhile here in the US, we are like, Wow, you have NHS...