Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 13151959)

We are all registered with our local surgery, and all good there. But - the OH has an ongoing cardiac condition and an automatic defibrillator inserted. He's had one for 13 years now, just had it replaced at the beginning of this year. In the US they would do a quarterly download of the data from the defibrillator. I told the surgery this back in July, but so far no response at all from whoever is supposed to be doing something about it. The referral has been made to an actual cardiologist, as we did get a letter acknowledging that with them saying they would be in touch with an appointment. I know the waiting times for a cardiologist must be long in this grossly underfunded system, so we are still waiting. But in the US the defib readout was done separately by a technician and the OH would be notified of the results as I say, quarterly, and independently of any visit to a cardiologist. I went into the surgery last week and the receptionist said she would call "them" to see what was going on with getting the download done, but nobody has got back to us at all.

I'm very good at pushing systems along, but I don't know who to push here and I don't want to just piss off the receptionist in the surgery. It's making the OH extremely anxious, which in itself isn't great. Is there anyone I can call? Any direct access to cardiology services? Anything at all?

I know the NHS is in a mess and things are very difficult, so don't really need more info on that. Just need to know what options I have and the best way to push things along.

Originally Posted by brits1 (Post 13152077)

Hi , I would make another appointment with your doctor, take the letter with you and say you have not heard anything and it’s causing your husband some distress (with worry) your GP can either telephone the hospital and find out what is happening or will chase it up asap, I work within this environment and I know for certain that you have to chase things up it’s a shame because you should not have to good luck

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 13151971)

I don't. I don't even know if one has been decided yet or who does the deciding, but I can ask that at the surgery. Can you mix and match? ie pay for one appointment and get the followups (annual, in the US) and the defib care on the NHS? Or is it all private or all NHS?

The defib thing was done separately in the US, but maybe it's not here. It was actually done remotely through a device we had at home which established a bluetooth connection with the thing in his chest (yeah, strange).

There are hospitals with cardiac centres about the place.

Is it the case that within the NHS the patient cannot call directly for any services likes this (other than mental health which I know is self refer)? I got so used to being a health care "customer" in the US and having to go shopping for my own services, that I'm a bit at sea.

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 13152096)

I would research cardiologists, then go to your GP and ask for a referral. I assume you still need a GP referral to see a specialist privately. Not sure about ‘mix and match’ but if you get an initial consult, and explain the situation the doctor may be able to push your hubby up the waiting list. It may be a waste of time and money but if you are desperate it’s worth a try IMO. Does your company not provide private healthcare ie BUPA etc?

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 13152102)

There is a generic referral for a cardiologist in there already, but not to a specific one so can try that as well.

I am working as a consultant on contract, not as a staff person, so no staff benefits and I don't know if they provide Bupa access or not anyway but moot for me, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't cover any pre-existing conditions anyway.

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 13152117)

Apparently only around 12% of UK companies offer their employees private health cover, probably because there's a National Health Service. I wonder if they'd be open to paying a annual premium for each employee to the NHS, that'd help replenish the funding! Joking, obv.

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 13152102)

There is a generic referral for a cardiologist in there already, but not to a specific one so can try that as well.

I am working as a consultant on contract, not as a staff person, so no staff benefits and I don't know if they provide Bupa access or not anyway but moot for me, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't cover any pre-existing conditions anyway.

Originally Posted by Expatrick (Post 13152046)

27 weeks, just for an appointment!

OH saw a specialist about her eyes, diagnosed cataracts (& glaucoma). A week later she has appointment to see another specialist who will carry out op. Barrage of tests & measurements, "sorry, 7 weeks before I can operate, is that ok".

Our GP practice closed down 6 months into covid, winged it for 18 months.
Covid jabs? No problem, registered on Govt website, both assigned by local government to local clinics for the 3 shots we have had so far (4th coming up now).
​​​​​​
Realised that OH really needs a GP now due concern over recurrence of old heart trouble.
Most GPs have full lists but assigned (again by local authority) to GP 15 minutes walk away.
Phoned him up"- "come & see me tomorrow" (this was 2 weeks ago). 35 minutes with him, beta blockers prescribed. Seen him 3 times since (at his request) for monitoring. Registered me as well while we were there.

Every thing seems so damned efficient, everything joined up & connected across different units & specialities. Everything "can do".

Public health system, not exactly rotten with money.

Originally Posted by shelley748 (Post 13152187)

Which area are you geographically located? Seems your area has reasonable healthcare...

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 13152117)

Apparently only around 12% of UK companies offer their employees private health cover, probably because there's a National Health Service. I wonder if they'd be open to paying a annual premium for each employee to the NHS, that'd help replenish the funding! Joking, obv.

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 13152195)

I am surprised it is so low, I mistakenly thought more companies were offering it. The companies I worked for did, same for hubby.

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 13151959)

We are all registered with our local surgery, and all good there. But - the OH has an ongoing cardiac condition and an automatic defibrillator inserted. He's had one for 13 years now, just had it replaced at the beginning of this year. In the US they would do a quarterly download of the data from the defibrillator. I told the surgery this back in July, but so far no response at all from whoever is supposed to be doing something about it. The referral has been made to an actual cardiologist, as we did get a letter acknowledging that with them saying they would be in touch with an appointment. I know the waiting times for a cardiologist must be long in this grossly underfunded system, so we are still waiting. But in the US the defib readout was done separately by a technician and the OH would be notified of the results as I say, quarterly, and independently of any visit to a cardiologist. I went into the surgery last week and the receptionist said she would call "them" to see what was going on with getting the download done, but nobody has got back to us at all.

I'm very good at pushing systems along, but I don't know who to push here and I don't want to just piss off the receptionist in the surgery. It's making the OH extremely anxious, which in itself isn't great. Is there anyone I can call? Any direct access to cardiology services? Anything at all?

I know the NHS is in a mess and things are very difficult, so don't really need more info on that. Just need to know what options I have and the best way to push things along.

Originally Posted by jjmb (Post 13152807)

I wonder if they actually know your husband has the device. The reason I ask is that just before my Mum moved back to the UK, the French hospital where she was in, convinced my Dad, she needed a pacemaker inserted. My Dad's French was non-existant and didn't really understand what he was agreeing on, he just relied on my Mum giving him information. My Mum had excellent care from the NHS (in Kent), especially after she was transferred to a local authority home but no one had any idea she had a pacemaker until my sister asked if it had been checked recently, then they quickly rushed to get her an appointment.

Not sure what the health care would be like now, to be honest, as my sister has recently gone private due to a prolapsed uterus. Her GP told her it would take 6 months just to see a gynaecologist. Got a private consultation immediately. I must admit, the NHS is the one thing that worries me about returning to the UK as I have several ongoing conditions which aren't life-threatening but need constant monitoring. I know when we lived in Scotland, our medical care access was better than my sisters in Kent but that was over 20 yrs ago. I don't hear much about Scottish health care as much as England. I have looked into private health care for seniors and the cost seem to be equivalent to the medicare supplemental insurance but not sure about pre-existing conditions.

Originally Posted by Jolly Good (Post 13152812)

When we lived on the Essex/ Suffolk border and the Sugarcube needed his tonsils removed we were able to get him on both the Colchester wait list and the Ipswich list thanks to a nice receptionist at our doctors office. Maybe you could ask about that? Suffolk appointment came up first scoff we went to Ipswich. If I remember it was about 12 week wait but that was almost 34 years ago and I know it's all gone downhill since then:(

Good luck to you and OH. Hopefully someone will realize what you need and get it sorted soon.