Nisey

Morning everyone,

We finally sat with my parents yesterday and gave them the news about emigrating. All told it went quite well, they knew of a couple who are regular visitors (4 months a year) who absolutely love the place and also another couple who emigrated to be near their GP son and his family, but have since returned.

The first couple nearly bought a house out there but decided against it because of concerns about the provision of healthcare services and the second couple returned for the same reason.

Now both couples are retired and I'm sure their concerns are about long term issues like care homes and long term illnesses etc. We are both in our thirties and in good health (bar a bit of spread around the midriff) and a way off considering such things but obviously its a concern that if anything other than a routine cough or cold happens and you need longer term healthcare what is the provision like.

I work in healthcare myself and so does most of my family and whilst I'm not the biggest fan of the NHS you know its always there and that care standards are variable but if you are an intelligent user you can get a good standard of care . I'm more than happy to pay for health insurance, but say for example my parents did want to make the move out with us what would the longer term hold for them and indeed us.

If there are any clinicians or healthcare workers on here that could give me a comparison that would be really helpfull.

Thanks

Denise

Nisey

No replies

So your obviously all young, fit and very healthy and no-one has any experience of the quality of healthcare services, so I will have to believe the NZ sites that say its world leading, amazing and all round brilliant.

Excellent

karonious

I can only tell you that we found child health care to be really good so far as that is all we have really dealt with. We registered our 11 year old daughter with the local practice ASAP as she has an overactive thyroid - apparently very uncommon in kids. We wanted to get her seen at the children's clinic ASAP so she would have continuity of care, even though her UK appointments were a year apart. Within days, the clinic telephoned and offered a cancellation, so she was seen at the hospital a fortnight after we landed here. I was very impressed. And her care has been superlative - we have no qualms whatsoever.
Karen B

Herm

My experiences so far and you can draw your own conclusions -

Son - aged 16 at the time, hairline fracture in his ankle. The service was very quick but - GP $50, xray $60, GP - $30, Plasterer $75, Hire of crutches $15 - all happened within 2 hours, son happy, wallet somewhat lighter.

Son - aged 13 - needed operation which we could not squeeze in before we left the UK. Brought GP notes with us - saw GP first week here, he referred son to consultant at Hospital, met consultant 2 weeks later, admitted to hospital 1 month after that. We were advised in the UK that the waiting list was 12 months - here all done and dusted in 2 months AND at no cost.

Wife - too old to contemplate - in absolute agony from shoulder injury - 8 visits to GP over last 4 years at a cost of around $300 - referred to consultant finally - referred to radiology for scans - radiologists on strike - still no appointment.

Is it any different in the UK?

Nisey

Hi Herm,

I thought emergency care was free, or do you not go to A&E for a possible fracture? I suppose thats the difference. Interesting though.

Thanks

Birdey

Hi, Emergency care is free under reciprical agreement. Many of similiar probs to UK apply, thus can go to private (think shortland st) type clinic and pay contributory payment for quicker service.
My O/H works as a ED reg, he seems to quiet like the system, very community centered model of care. No great probs. He is in a referral centre, so any big stuff (ie needing a hot angio, neuro surg or specialist Paeds) its a copter down to Well or up to Auckland.
Im not working yet so cant be specific, but from the community providers I have talked to.. Kids are free (under 14 I think) Adults over 45 are entitled to greatly reduced or free care. Just those buggers the middle required to pay.
I no thats a bit blousy but hope it helps as noone had replied.

Gill and Rob

Quick correction, "radiologists" ARE not on strike, MRT's (radiographers) are, big difference.

Gill

lapsed kiwi

Surely you could claim all the accident-related costs back on ACC?

danny.f

It's roughly the same standard-cos we're all Brits!!

No mess-if I was seriouslyh ill but well enough to fly home,I wouldn't bother. I'd rather die here anyway,more space for my grave.