Originally Posted by Lothianlad

I've mentioned this before in another thread, but will do so again in here because it's relevant. I am very much into reading books and love listening to one of the book review programs on BBC Radio5 Live. One day the book reviewed was one written by an American woman (who is a writer) about her experience with the British NHS. She was on holiday in London at a time when she was heavily pregnant.

On the day before she was due to fly back to the USA she collapsed in Oxford Street, London and rushed to hospital where her baby was delivered prematurely and safely. However, complications of some sort developed and she and her baby had to stay in hospital much longer than intended and during this time they both received excellent treatment. As she said on the radio, it was faultless in every way and she was so impressed with the kindness and attention she received on the NHS, from the doctors and nurses, that she decided to write a book about it, which she did.

In the program she praised the British NHS and although she was under no obligation to make any form of payment for her treatment, nor was she ever pressurised in any way to do so, she asked for all details of the costs involved. This she refunded, PLUS MORE, so impressed was she with the way the NHS dealt with her and her baby. Both are now well and happy back in New York, USA.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Lothianlad

I've mentioned this before in another thread, but will do so again in here because it's relevant. I am very much into reading books and love listening to one of the book review programs on BBC Radio5 Live. One day the book reviewed was one written by an American woman (who is a writer) about her experience with the British NHS. She was on holiday in London at a time when she was heavily pregnant.

On the day before she was due to fly back to the USA she collapsed in Oxford Street, London and rushed to hospital where her baby was delivered prematurely and safely. However, complications of some sort developed and she and her baby had to stay in hospital much longer than intended and during this time they both received excellent treatment. As she said on the radio, it was faultless in every way and she was so impressed with the kindness and attention she received on the NHS, from the doctors and nurses, that she decided to write a book about it, which she did.

In the program she praised the British NHS and although she was under no obligation to make any form of payment for her treatment, nor was she ever pressurised in any way to do so, she asked for all details of the costs involved. This she refunded, PLUS MORE, so impressed was she with the way the NHS dealt with her and her baby. Both are now well and happy back in New York, USA.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Lothianlad

In the program she praised the British NHS and although she was under no obligation to make any form of payment for her treatment, nor was she ever pressurised in any way to do so, she asked for all details of the costs involved. This she refunded, PLUS MORE, so impressed was she with the way the NHS dealt with her and her baby. Both are now well and happy back in New York, USA.

Originally Posted by Manc

USA citizens are entitled to emergency care and once her baby was born, it is therefore a British Citizen, and eligible for NHS benefits no?
They didn't ask for payment as none was required (it's not like they did it out of the kindness of their heart.)

but I get your point, The NHS is rather kick ass, despite being broke.

Originally Posted by Bob

Nice story, though surprised they didn't ask to see for travel insurance, I thought holiday people had to pay for treatment...

Originally Posted by Yosser

Ok...just last week I was back in Blighty, my 3 year old got really sick after the 9 hour flight over, we landed on a friday and we had bought some cough/sinus medicine with us "just in case". On the saturday I could tell she was under the weather, runny nose etc, very early on that sunday morning she had problems breathing, I stayed awake most of the night listening to her chest weaze, too say I was petrified was a understatement.

I woke my mum up, she called the local doctors, that transfered us to a "house call doctor, in neigbouring Weymouth" he said that he could come over but it may take him a while, and suggested we went straight to the hospital. Anyways after driving like a man pocessed, we went straight in and in 10 minutes a very kind youngish doctor had diagnosed the problem and gave us a prescription to the safeway pharmacy....job done

<<snip>>

Originally Posted by NC Penguin

Just out of interest. What was the diagnosis for your daughter?




NC Penguin

Originally Posted by Yosser

bit of a mixture, some fluid had built up in her ears from the flight over, and some fluid on her chest from the sinus, when we got to the hospital she had a really high fever and looked out of it! after 5ml of pedriatric paracetamol (sp) and 5ml of ibuprofen, she was running around in the afternoon like nothing was ever wrong! kids I tell ya. The docotor didn't even have to prescripe anti-biotics.

It twas a strange flight mind! I was sat next to this rather stinky english fella that had half a bottle of Hai Karate aftershave on, my nose was burning from the smell, so I had really bad sinus too for a couple of days.

Originally Posted by AmerLisa

We have a three year old as well. Can't say she's ever been sick much, except one time when we flew over to the States and she came down with an ear infection, etc....sounded like what your daughter had. Anyway, luckily we had travel insurance, because she was seen at the urgent care and given antibiotics, big time antibiotics (initially I didn't want her to have them, but we were just a couple of days from a flight back home to the UK and it was necessary to knock it out sooner, rather than let it take its course) Anyway, I had to pay up front for the prescriptions and then be reimbursed later on, the antibiotics cost $100! And that was just for a small bottle of whatever it was.

Originally Posted by callë

just to pop in a question here. I will be returning to UK next August. Ive been away since I was a child so of course Ive never used the NHS. I will be going with American husband and my children who are dual. Will we be eligible for coverage?
BTW, great thread.

Originally Posted by Englishmum

N

As already mentioned by another poster, "NHS tourism" is costing a fortune.

Originally Posted by callë

just to pop in a question here. I will be returning to UK next August. Ive been away since I was a child so of course Ive never used the NHS. I will be going with American husband and my children who are dual. Will we be eligible for health coverage?
BTW, great thread.

Originally Posted by Englishmum

Yes of course you and your family will be eligible for free NHS coverage! All legal residents are entitled to NHS care.

Originally Posted by Yosser

which begs the next questions....Is the U.S a bit "antibiotics happy".
I have more bottles of the stuff than Walgreens in my medical cabinet!
I even have half a bottle of vicodin left, strong stuff makes me go all funny like. anybody want some $5 a tab