Healthcare wait times
Feb 19th 2019, 7:20 am
#1
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Posts: 42
Healthcare waiting times good or bad?
hi all,
I am curious to hear your opinions, based on recent experience of yourself or someone you know, in regards to France public healthcare system WAITING TIMES for the following matters:
- A&E admissions and treatment
- consultations with specialists
- diagnostic services
Ultimatey, do you feel the wait times and service was better than the NHS, or better than the “free” public healthcare systems in any other developed country(s) that you have lived in?
Cheers,
Bob
I am curious to hear your opinions, based on recent experience of yourself or someone you know, in regards to France public healthcare system WAITING TIMES for the following matters:
- A&E admissions and treatment
- consultations with specialists
- diagnostic services
Ultimatey, do you feel the wait times and service was better than the NHS, or better than the “free” public healthcare systems in any other developed country(s) that you have lived in?
Cheers,
Bob
Last edited by BobSmith888; Feb 19th 2019 at 7:28 am.
Feb 19th 2019, 10:35 am
#2
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 144
Re: Healthcare wait times
I suspect waiting times differ wildly depending on the region of France and the specialisms involved. How will other's opinions of the waiting times affect your decisions? Are you looking for something specific? Have you considered comparing medical outcomes from WHO statistics?
If you want a good overview of different healthcare systems, take a look at the excellent Healthcare Triage series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...Tp6Og_KkYfJ6oF
Having experienced hospitals in populated and less populated areas of France, all had short waiting times. Administrative tasks took minutes, with queues well under an hour. Urgent appointments happened within the same day or within a few days. Less urgent appointments took longer.
I have no recent experience with the NHS or other country's healthcare; so can not compare the them.
Ultimately, I have had no reason to complain about France's healthcare system.
If you want a good overview of different healthcare systems, take a look at the excellent Healthcare Triage series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...Tp6Og_KkYfJ6oF
Having experienced hospitals in populated and less populated areas of France, all had short waiting times. Administrative tasks took minutes, with queues well under an hour. Urgent appointments happened within the same day or within a few days. Less urgent appointments took longer.
I have no recent experience with the NHS or other country's healthcare; so can not compare the them.
Ultimately, I have had no reason to complain about France's healthcare system.
Last edited by graham.miln; Feb 19th 2019 at 11:38 am.
Feb 19th 2019, 12:26 pm
#3
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Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Provence
Posts: 803
Re: Healthcare wait times
My most recent experience of NHS is through friends and family and I can say without a doubt that things are much better in France...We have absolutely no wait for a GP appointmnt. usually can choose day and time and always can get a same day appointment if necessary. There is virtually no waiting at the local A&E whereas a family 5 hour wait to be attended to with a severe laceration and dripping blood.
Specialist appointments are usually swift depending on the speciality. The only thing that is worse is for eyetesta which have to be don by a. optalmologist and can take 6 months - we get eyes tested on visits to the UK.
Dental work and spectaacles/lenses are much more expensive here.
Specialist appointments are usually swift depending on the speciality. The only thing that is worse is for eyetesta which have to be don by a. optalmologist and can take 6 months - we get eyes tested on visits to the UK.
Dental work and spectaacles/lenses are much more expensive here.
Feb 19th 2019, 2:47 pm
#4
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 42
Re: Healthcare wait times
I suspect waiting times differ wildly depending on the region of France and the specialisms involved. How will other's opinions of the waiting times affect your decisions? Are you looking for something specific? Have you considered comparing medical outcomes from WHO statistics?
If you want a good overview of different healthcare systems, take a look at the excellent Healthcare Triage series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...Tp6Og_KkYfJ6oF
Having experienced hospitals in populated and less populated areas of France, all had short waiting times. Administrative tasks took minutes, with queues well under an hour. Urgent appointments happened within the same day or within a few days. Less urgent appointments took longer.
I have no recent experience with the NHS or other country's healthcare; so can not compare the them.
Ultimately, I have had no reason to complain about France's healthcare system.
If you want a good overview of different healthcare systems, take a look at the excellent Healthcare Triage series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...Tp6Og_KkYfJ6oF
Having experienced hospitals in populated and less populated areas of France, all had short waiting times. Administrative tasks took minutes, with queues well under an hour. Urgent appointments happened within the same day or within a few days. Less urgent appointments took longer.
I have no recent experience with the NHS or other country's healthcare; so can not compare the them.
Ultimately, I have had no reason to complain about France's healthcare system.
Its good to hear that you were happy with the public healthcare in France. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Feb 19th 2019, 3:02 pm
#5
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 144
Re: Healthcare wait times
I suspect your initial experiences with the French healthcare system will be shaped by how it differs.
Our experience in France has been positive, but I first had to internalise that France's approach is not the cradle to the grave of the NHS. In France, you take more responsibility for your medical records and management. Your doctor can feel more of a referral specialist than anything else. Our first doctor in Lyon was excellent and she helped us connect to various specialists; she hand wrote letters to each, introducing us and stating our needs. No computer but plenty of paper and envelopes! Not all doctors are like this, but she was.
Emergency (A&E) can be like anywhere else. The seriousness of the case defines priority. At busy times, this could mean a long wait.
Expect to need to speak some French, if only to make the appointments. Also, be aware that medical professionals have traditionally been forbidden from advertising; so no easy Internet searches to find local medical practices.
Our experience in France has been positive, but I first had to internalise that France's approach is not the cradle to the grave of the NHS. In France, you take more responsibility for your medical records and management. Your doctor can feel more of a referral specialist than anything else. Our first doctor in Lyon was excellent and she helped us connect to various specialists; she hand wrote letters to each, introducing us and stating our needs. No computer but plenty of paper and envelopes! Not all doctors are like this, but she was.
Emergency (A&E) can be like anywhere else. The seriousness of the case defines priority. At busy times, this could mean a long wait.
Expect to need to speak some French, if only to make the appointments. Also, be aware that medical professionals have traditionally been forbidden from advertising; so no easy Internet searches to find local medical practices.
Feb 19th 2019, 3:06 pm
#6
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 42
Re: Healthcare wait times
My most recent experience of NHS is through friends and family and I can say without a doubt that things are much better in France...We have absolutely no wait for a GP appointmnt. usually can choose day and time and always can get a same day appointment if necessary. There is virtually no waiting at the local A&E whereas a family 5 hour wait to be attended to with a severe laceration and dripping blood.
Specialist appointments are usually swift depending on the speciality. The only thing that is worse is for eyetesta which have to be don by a. optalmologist and can take 6 months - we get eyes tested on visits to the UK.
Dental work and spectaacles/lenses are much more expensive here.
Specialist appointments are usually swift depending on the speciality. The only thing that is worse is for eyetesta which have to be don by a. optalmologist and can take 6 months - we get eyes tested on visits to the UK.
Dental work and spectaacles/lenses are much more expensive here.
sounds like France is generally doing things right with regards to critical public healthcare services.
Feb 19th 2019, 3:09 pm
#7
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 42
Re: Healthcare wait times
I suspect your initial experiences with the French healthcare system will be shaped by how it differs.
Our experience in France has been positive, but I first had to internalise that France's approach is not the cradle to the grave of the NHS. In France, you take more responsibility for your medical records and management. Your doctor can feel more of a referral specialist than anything else. Our first doctor in Lyon was excellent and she helped us connect to various specialists; she hand wrote letters to each, introducing us and stating our needs. No computer but plenty of paper and envelopes! Not all doctors are like this, but she was.
Emergency (A&E) can be like anywhere else. The seriousness of the case defines priority. At busy times, this could mean a long wait.
Expect to need to speak some French, if only to make the appointments. Also, be aware that medical professionals have traditionally been forbidden from advertising; so no easy Internet searches to find local medical practices.
Our experience in France has been positive, but I first had to internalise that France's approach is not the cradle to the grave of the NHS. In France, you take more responsibility for your medical records and management. Your doctor can feel more of a referral specialist than anything else. Our first doctor in Lyon was excellent and she helped us connect to various specialists; she hand wrote letters to each, introducing us and stating our needs. No computer but plenty of paper and envelopes! Not all doctors are like this, but she was.
Emergency (A&E) can be like anywhere else. The seriousness of the case defines priority. At busy times, this could mean a long wait.
Expect to need to speak some French, if only to make the appointments. Also, be aware that medical professionals have traditionally been forbidden from advertising; so no easy Internet searches to find local medical practices.
Overwall , would you say that the system of public healthcare in France is superior to the NHS, equal to NHS, worse than NHS?
Feb 19th 2019, 3:44 pm
#8
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Re: Healthcare wait times
Feb 19th 2019, 3:45 pm
#9
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Scotland & Touraine [37]
Posts: 3,019
Re: Healthcare wait times
I am finding this thread a bit strange.
What exactly are you enquiring about?
Are you concerned about specific conditions?
If you have an acute emergency - heart attack; road accident etc then the NHS can be as good as anywhere.
However, if you are waiting for a cancer diagnosis and treatment; hip replacement etc then you may have a long wait in the NHS.
The NHS is a free service whereas the french system is not necessarily free.
What exactly are you enquiring about?
Are you concerned about specific conditions?
If you have an acute emergency - heart attack; road accident etc then the NHS can be as good as anywhere.
However, if you are waiting for a cancer diagnosis and treatment; hip replacement etc then you may have a long wait in the NHS.
The NHS is a free service whereas the french system is not necessarily free.
Feb 19th 2019, 4:15 pm
#10
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Halfway between Ricard & Absynthe
Posts: 4,291
Re: Healthcare wait times
You don't state your respective ages, but I'd guess that you are a fair bit older than your spouse. Which may ultimately lead to the question about retirement/nursing homes here v UK. A subject that many prefer not to think about, as it's a difficult and somewhat complex subject in itself, especially if one keeps up to date with recent happenings in France.
If you're both quite young you obviously won't be too concerned.
If you're both quite young you obviously won't be too concerned.
Feb 19th 2019, 4:34 pm
#11
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Re: Healthcare wait times
Thankfully I am not in a position to make the comparison, but the World Health Organisation is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_...ystems_in_2000
I wonder how they are did in WHO rankings more recently? I cant find a WHO ranking after 2000.
Last edited by BobSmith888; Feb 19th 2019 at 4:49 pm.
Feb 19th 2019, 4:39 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 42
Re: Healthcare wait times
I am finding this thread a bit strange.
What exactly are you enquiring about?
Are you concerned about specific conditions?
If you have an acute emergency - heart attack; road accident etc then the NHS can be as good as anywhere.
However, if you are waiting for a cancer diagnosis and treatment; hip replacement etc then you may have a long wait in the NHS.
The NHS is a free service whereas the french system is not necessarily free.
What exactly are you enquiring about?
Are you concerned about specific conditions?
If you have an acute emergency - heart attack; road accident etc then the NHS can be as good as anywhere.
However, if you are waiting for a cancer diagnosis and treatment; hip replacement etc then you may have a long wait in the NHS.
The NHS is a free service whereas the french system is not necessarily free.
This is part of my research on both Italy and France. I love both countries equally, and I am just trying to figure out which is best to live in when it comes to the taxes and the public services that you can expect. Experiences of the expats on the forum are of great interest, and will help me with my decision making.
Last edited by BobSmith888; Feb 19th 2019 at 4:50 pm.
Feb 19th 2019, 4:45 pm
#13
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 42
Re: Healthcare wait times
You don't state your respective ages, but I'd guess that you are a fair bit older than your spouse. Which may ultimately lead to the question about retirement/nursing homes here v UK. A subject that many prefer not to think about, as it's a difficult and somewhat complex subject in itself, especially if one keeps up to date with recent happenings in France.
If you're both quite young you obviously won't be too concerned.
If you're both quite young you obviously won't be too concerned.
at this point, we are thinking about watching our child growup in a good environment, and learning and enjoying a fullfilling retirement in either France or Italy,
Feb 19th 2019, 6:06 pm
#14
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Scotland & Touraine [37]
Posts: 3,019
Re: Healthcare wait times
i thought france healthcare was free like the UK NHS. Thats not the case?
This is part of my research on both Italy and France. I love both countries equally, and I am just trying to figure out which is best to live in when it comes to the taxes and the public services that you can expect. Experiences of the expats on the forum are of great interest, and will help me with my decision making.
This does not cover glasses or dental treatment.
If you want 100% cover then you need to have a "mutuelle" insurance to cover all members of the family for the other 30%.
Feb 19th 2019, 6:09 pm
#15
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Location: Hérault (34)
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Re: Healthcare wait times
i thought france healthcare was free like the UK NHS. Thats not the case?
This is part of my research on both Italy and France. I love both countries equally, and I am just trying to figure out which is best to live in when it comes to the taxes and the public services that you can expect. Experiences of the expats on the forum are of great interest, and will help me with my decision making.
You'll be "inactive" which means that, for the first 3 months of your arrival, you must have private healthcare coverage. This is a condition for residency and also to be accepted into the French Social Security System (PUMa). Some one in the know will come along to say what percentage of your unearned income must be contributed into the System once you're in it.
And you should budget for a top-up insurance ("Mutuelle") since not everything is reimbursed.
I can't compare with the UK NHS, but here, the French medical service is almost 100% perfect. The only fly in the ointment is the "désert médical" which many rural areas suffer from and you must go far to consult specialists and even a G.P. As mentioned, you have to make appointments with Ophthalmologists six months in advance.