twyntub

Well, if any of you have moved across to Spain for a better healthcare - then I'm afraid you're in for a shock if our experience is anything to go by.

This week, Mrs Twyntub managed to injure herself. I can reassure forum members that the injuries were neither as a result of domestic violence nor any 'exotic' acts of a sexual nature

We therefore ended up at Elda hospital... where my story begins. Years of being spoilt by NHS Accident and Emergency departments simple cannot prepare you for what awaits.

Let me summarise our shocking experience:

• On arrival, it took a full TWO MINUTES to be seen by the reception desk
• After taking our details we were left sitting around for another WHOLE MINUTE waiting for a Triage nurse
• Once Triaged, we were moved to another room where we sat around for some FIVE MINUTES before being called.
• Clothes off and gowned up in a cubicle, it was yet another TWO MINUTES before anyone bothered to see us.
• Once seen, more waiting around - FIVE MINUTES for the ECG, TWO MORE MINUTES hanging around for bloods to be taken, and then to be put on a drip.
• Finally, SOME MINUTES LATER, Mrs Twyntub was wheeled to the X-Ray department where she was seen straight away.

Honestly... haven't these people heard of targets and performance measures? I saw no charts on the wall or dot matrix displays showing average waiting times.

I'm sorry, but I'm used to spending six or more hours in a grotty A&E department with people walking around with axes in their heads handcuffed to several burly policemen... it makes you think you're getting value for money... the system in Spain is just crazy!

Anyway... most importantly... Mrs Twyntub is on the mend. She's back at home but will have to rest for a while, so it's the school run for me until she's back on her feet! Wish her well... but try not to make her laugh because that hurts...

cafeconleche

Ha ha ...was worried at first , glad you got such good servce.
Mrs Twyntub, I wish you well and hope you recover soon and make sure Mr Twyntub looks after your every need

Same Difference

What a brilliant post, TT

Karma sent and I hope Mrs TT recovers soon.

Rosemary

Get well soon.

Not good to need to go to the hospital but what a good experience you had of the system.

Put your feet up MrsTT and make sure that you do not do anything silly.

Rosemary

montgomail

Excellent news. I have to say my OH had a similar experience with a wisdom tooth removal last summer. Efficient and professional service and good after care. It was a tad painful though ...... in the pocket.

jandy44

Really good post, I have been on the recieving end of the NHS here and its absolutley crap,went to see a Mr at the hosp. several months ago,he was suposed to be sending for me when a new machine arrives from Germany,has he NO !!!!!!!!!: Its so good to hear of the excellant service you have recieved over there

I do wish Mrs TT a speady recovery ,take care

mikelincs

Can't fault the Health Service here in any way, and I spent over 40 years working for the UK NHS, any place where you get in to see the specialist at the actual time of the appointment seems unusual to someone used to the UK service.

Econ

Shocking is't it..... I can't really argue with anything there, most of my and my families health service experiences over all the years I have been in Spain have generally been very good.

I am sure and hope the Mrs. is well on the way to being mended.

pjj

twyntub what great post very funny

Bri and Katee

Glad to hear your wife is ok and let me say here that I work for the NHS and couldn't agree more!


Yesterday I was passing through our casualty unit, divided into major and minor injuries, the major side was practically empty so the nursing and medical staff were stood about talking about the previous evenings they all had.

The minor side waiting area was absolutely full, with just a couple of harassed nurses to work throught the whole lot. Major side nurses can't help because that defeats the government imposed targets, so every one has to wait hours for treatment! Go figure that one!

I should say however this is the busiest casualty unit in the north of England after Leeds, on average treating 600+ people a day.

Lionda

Sending our best wishes to Mrs TT for a speedy recovery xx

jdr

So if you are going to get hurt, then get hurt well.....

Diddy Di

So sorry to hear about Mrs T, but thats nothing the year before last my husband decided to have an argument with a pair of step ladders, they went into his side, luckily he was using a hedge trimmer at the time and rolled the right way off the step ladder.
I panicked when he said he didnt want an ambulance & was to drive him to hospital, but we got there.
I got him into A&E and to the reception where we were asked details name address etc, etc. Then told to take a seat !!!!!!

I could see he was going into shock so went back to the desk & told the girl that if she didnt get someone soon he was either going to pass out or be sick, within a minute a wheelchair apperared & we where taking through to a bed, (they didnt want to clean up a mess i guess) he lay there for a good 15 minutes until a male nurse appeared and tried to pull the t-shirt he was wearing out (which had also gone into his side), well forgive me for not being stupid but even i could see that this bloody T-shirt was stuck.
Anyway to cut a very unpleasant & painful story short he lay in A&E for two hours and 45 minutes waiting for a surgeon, thats when things started to move....well so i thought, six, yes six hours later he was taken down to the O.R. to repair the damage he had caused to his bowel and another organ which i cant remember the name of. Yes we had both been very lucky as the ladder had missed all other organs.
He was in HDU for six days & i cannot thanks the nurses who work there enough, they where lovely helping in every way. (Even showed concern when i used to go in on my way to work asking if i was ok as i looked pale & was i eating? I guess they never used to get that many people in the ward at 6-30 in the morning).
We where later told that if we had phoned for an ambulance the surgeon would have come strai down but as we were a walk in case it was treated as none urgent.
Make of that as you will for the English national health !!!
If any of the nurses in the HDU are reading this i would like to say a big THANK YOU for doing an amazing job & i am one who would pay a little more for them to be paid what they are worth !!!!!

TheArmChairDetective

I had just settled into my mental picture of a high wardrobe and a candelier when I realised you had written NOT

what a smashing post.

Get well soon Mrs TT

brisca

I just love your sense of humour Twyntub!

Sorry to hear that Mrs T is a bit under the weather; but very happy to hear about your positive experience of healthcare here.

Please pass on my very best wishes to Mrs T for a speedy recovery.
It must be a nightmare for her, living with you..................I bet you make her laugh all the time!