Why our hospitals simply aren't working

# 126

Posted: 08/07/2009 19:23

To add to my last posting 2nd July that evening I rang up the Ward to see could I talk to a Doctor on duty. No Doc there but Nurse was very helpful when I told my Daughter's condition. She'd worsened that evening and the yellowish liquid oozing was now running out from her arm pit just like running tap water. It was rolling down her arm and she was so pale. She asked who did her and I said Name, she then told me that this Team had changed over-there was a new Team looking after the type of surgery my Daughter had.

I asked her was there an (SHO) Senior House Officer on duty? She told me they had one, but he was not there. She kindly told me to get my Daughter to ring main hospital and gave me name and bleep number of this Doc, and ring him @ 8.30-9pm and tell her condition. She advised we don't bring her to A&E that evening because the only one who could look after her now was the (SHO) because she was just recently discharged some days ago. She also asked me why didn't our Daughter go to her GP that afternoon? I explained that when she spoke to someone on the Team that afternoon he was fitting her in some time next week in outpatients and did not advise her to go to her GP. She told me not to wait until then and ring this (SHO) We all got to A&E at 9 am next day. The (SHO) told my Daughter he would be down as soon as he could, that he was in operating theatre.

Both Husband and Daughter checked in with Triage Nurse. His time came after waiting 2 hours he was brought down for another scan on his good leg/or leg that had blood clot in it. Eventually got results, he was told that no more clots were found. The other clot they found was not in the main arteries of his leg. His leg and foot was still swelled and as hard as a rock. Told by A&E Doc to rest his leg and elevate it for swelling to go down. He told this Doc that he had Physio next week what will he do? Was told to go down to see Physio and ask them and they'll look after that.

They went ahead and gave him physio anyway it was decided by head physio. Now our GP is telling him I'm surprised you're still here, getting out local clinic Nurse to see him in our Home, also physiotherapist to come here. He was told by our District Nurse that he wear these socks for allievating more clots-you are now prone to getting clots in your leg. He is on 2 different blood pressure meds, and taking an aspirin to thin his blood.

From 9am our Daughter waitied to see Doc. He came into A&E at 1pm had a look at her leakage and ordered blood tests, also an intra-venous drip with 2 different antibiotics going into her system. He came back at 7pm that evening and checked her, found her blood levels to be high with white blood cells and asked the Registrar to admit her. He also told her to fast from midnight in case they may have to bring her back down to Theatre. She was sitting on a chair, more towards morning onto a trolley, then about 9-10am  admitted onto ward. Same (SHO) came to see her and told her there was a pocket inside her armpit where the puss was collecting and he asked could he drain it?

He explained the way he had to do same he squeezed all this puss out, then washed it out with saline solution using a syringe to draw it out. Then he put a type of dressing named wick in wound (this is a type of string with absorbent cotton to collect infection. He told her he was so sorry this all happened.

She was discharged that evening by this Doc with 3 different anti-biotics plus letter of referral to her local clinic to have daily dressings. It turned out that when she 1st presented to this Clinic she was also allergic to another type of plaster put on her under-arm. Also the wick fell out, and the Nurse put a fresh one in. The Nurse also observed that her disovable stitches had not disolved, and she removed them also. She's still attendiing clinic each day for fresh dressings. To see Doctor in Outpatients some time this week.

I believe our Hospitals look after patients by bits and pieces. HSE declared long ago Centres of excellence, shu she and he are attending one of them.

Chrissie

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 125

Posted: 02/07/2009 18:21

Updating on my Daughter's condition and my Husband's condition. In previous posts #66 + #15 I told of my Daughter needing operation for removal of sweat glands under her arm. She was taken into Hospital last week one day before op for pain management. It turned out that when Registrar came to her bed he spoke about bringing her down next day to do op. Anyway if he ordered pain meds she never received them, she only got 2 paracetamol on two occasions. Was also given 2 injections into her Tummy to prevent blood clotting after her op.

Next day when they (which was a Nurse approached her and told her she could go home) She got no written information about the care of her wound and asked this Nurse when was she to come back and have stitches removed?

This Nurse went off to find out and came back to tell her you won't need stitches out, they are dissolving stitches and you will receive letter in post to see the Doctor here in outpatients for check up. She got Letter to see them in September. A few days ago she went to our GP because she had swelling redness and blisters right around outer stitches. She was told she was allergic to this plaster and not use these ones again. To put sudocream on the swelling. Now today she rang the Ward spoke to one of the Team and told them of pain she's in, plus there is yellow oozing leaking from where stitches are. It was said to her after getting her name, date of birth etc., do you want us to see you earlier? She replied yes was told we'll try to see you sometime next week.

Am going to go with her tomorrow into Ward or A&E to get this looked into. As regards Husband same day he was in A&E in same Hospital while she was inpatient our Doctor sent him there thinking he had a blood clot in his good leg naming it could be DVP. He was there in A&E from 4pm to 2 am they found clot in his leg gave him a blockbuster clotting injection, got his leg scanned-told they could not see veins properly due to fluid build up in his leg. He's to attend A&E for another leg scan tomorrow, going in with him as well to find out what's going on. We all wonder "Why our Hospitals simply aren't working" it seems now that all the medics have no time to talk and tell anything to the Patient yet alone their nearest relative.

It's looking like and is like they only take take of Patients when they are near deaths door. Mary Harney Brendan Drumm our Government do not care who is treated in any which way they are treated.

All the articles they put forward are not worth the paper they are written on. 9 years ago she got written instructions as to how to look after her wound when she had her sweat glands removed on the other arm in the same hospital. Hospital Charter rights yeah - why don't they stop producing these and save money for Hospitals. As regards making complaints to the HSE not worth the time and energy to complain - a waste of time and resourses to keep these who supposedly look into hospital complaints.

I am right now fuming at the way in which they treat patients/customers. We are a 3rd World now that's all I know.

Chrissie 

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 124

Posted: 27/05/2009 23:22

Badger5079

Mr Michael O'Keeffe stated in this Article that €120 million was funded through the National Treatment Purchase Fund NTPF whiich I believe to be true.

Badger now I happened to see on your post 06/05/2009 #91 you wrote on last sentence. "I think that over €400 million was spent last year on addiction Services". Could you let us know where you get these figures from?

I would wish you to know that I as an inpatient/outpatient going through all my Hospitals Files which took me months to do as a lay person noted Doctors kept repeatedly enquiring on each admission, in outpatients, and in A&E what my condition was i.e. all operations I had, procedures, medications, any allergic reactions. The point I'm trying to make here they kept my condition at the forefront of my Files to avoid mistakes happening.

My mistakes did not involve Neuro, but my other issues did, and this is where I found that they did not enter my up to date records as they should have by writing to my prime carer who as you know is my GP.

To all readers I just like others did complain to Hospitals, complained to The Medical Council, but there is no accountabiliaty unless it's under The Fitness to Practice.

To Purple you're right about all the cutbacks. I believe it's been going on for years, it's nothing to do with our World Wide Recession.

Chrissie

Let's all hope that some day our Hospitals will revert back to working properly

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 123

Posted: 27/05/2009 21:34

I seem to have no one on my side! I have received no physio on my med card ever and begged for it five years ago for the muscle wasting.

Trying to track an adapted spoon has been laughable, the rehab didnt get me to see a range, nor even one, all of the places I tried didnt have them and I said to my sis, surely to god people with disabilities in this country get to have an eating implement!

No physio, no OT, no social worker, no counselling, battle with rehousing, referred back to community for all the above when the above said they hadnt got it.

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

London next week for the same muscle test and to see the lupus specialist. I dont trust Ireland anymore. I will pray the VHI will pay, I really dont trust any doctor in Ireland now, after the way they treated me, either private or public, they were all the same.

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 122

Posted: 27/05/2009 17:06

Hi Sammi

Great to have you back-well on a post I told of my Husband's Physio when he'd go to hospital be given instructions of physio to do at home. Last time he went told the Physio he thinks he's gone as far as he can just doing physio at home and he can barely bend his knee. He was told they would try and get him physio within the hospital.

Well he got a mobile text from them and at long last he is being treated for physio in the Hospital. Yesterday he was there and got treadmill treatment, also got help trying to move up and down steps. They are going to see him every 3 weeks now.

Broken like Sammi I really don't know how to put words as to why they (The Hospital) don't pass you on to an appropiate Consultant to check you, given that you have 2 reports from London about your condition. I know with my condition my Neuro Consultant gave me an inter-transferral which is supposed to be a quicker uptake to be seen. In my case I was in the right place to save my life, but in the wrong catchment area to get Physio. He organised that I had a physiotherapist from our local health clinic call to my home every day until I got physio in my own catchment area which took 2 years to happen. But I would like to point out here, it was not within the remit of my Neuro to do this himself. He went miles to help me, wish there were more like him.

Chrissie

I do hope that this election will turn things around. We need MEPs that will act for us especially on (health issues) to represent us in Brussels

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 121

Posted: 26/05/2009 19:34

hi

i blame the cut backs on the hospitals not working.

# 120

Posted: 26/05/2009 18:28

Hi chrissie

i've been really really busy so haven't been on for a while. hope things are not too bad with you.

broken

words fail me, what a disgrace, i've said time and time again, animals get treated better.

Badger, badger, badger. No need for me to say more.

Does any one else agree, what is wrong with our hospitals /health service? Is it being run bunch a bunch of people highly educated, uncaring ,totally lacking in common sense?

If they are all like badger god help us.

However given my experience with them and judging by badger's comments .... guess what... yes they are all alike. we are on the Titanic baby.

# 119

Posted: 25/05/2009 20:04

a day at the doc's, of the psychiatric variant.

Why the hospitals are not working.  A doctor tells you you have brain damage - over five times.

I tell him I know that, and did so before I entered his room.

I had two tests in London one stating my muscles were dying and one that my cognitives skills were - er, dying too. He asked me did either doc say why, I replied that I had to go to england and have these tests to prove that what I knew was happening my body was happening because today was the third time a consultant had sent me to a psychiatrist to make sure it wasnt 'all in the mind', no, they didnt, they just told me it was happening, I am endeavouring to get my Irish doctors to start on that without sending me to - shrinks.

Our hospitals are not working because one doctor asks another to review a person on some strange pretext and then that doctor asks did the other doctors say why such was happening and also ask me did I have any idea of what was happening.  So all the doctors ask all and sundry without actually doing the work to find the answers!  So I have spent a fortune to confirm what I knew, one doc has cost the mental health services the money which would be better applied to very sick mentally ill persons, AND that consultant got the poor reg to ask all the questions, then come into the room ask a few of the same questions, but basically picks up a pay packet after the reg did all the work.

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 118

Posted: 25/05/2009 17:24

Oh my God purple, young children have more bones than grown ups have. Over years these bones fuse together in parts of the body when they become adults. A fracture in the finger is known to be worse than a broken finger. The girl with the sprained arm needed something to hold her arm elevated. I believe it is the cutbacks too - just like the cutbacks in Our Lady's Children's Hospital.

How can they do this to the children? It's getting like the 3rd World now to be treated like this in Ireland.

Chrissie

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 117

Posted: 24/05/2009 23:06

hi

i would say hospitals arent working bbecause of all the cut backs, i was in temple street the other eveing as my son was injured, there were a few kids waiting for over an hour, a doctor came out, one lad was told he had fractured his two fingers couldnt strap it up he will be ok, another girl had a sprained arm u will be ok, thats not right

# 116

Posted: 22/05/2009 19:30

Badger Badger Badger, Poor Badger!  Well, he is a doctor!!!

I am in a mega flaire now!  Sjoggie and muscles have gone wild.

Off to london to see te Lupus guy soon though thank God, and also my consultant here is writing that I go to toms to have the test I had there where it found muscle wasting, chronic muscle myopathy a year ago.

Within that year, NO ONE here has even intimated what it all could be or bothered to find out.

Why would the doctors leave me in this state?

Havent raised head off bed today and the crohns too behaving badly.

Update on spoon - the adapted spoon, none in the shop in town, none in Clontarf, so two major centres where people with severe disabilities attend do not have specialised implements for teir clients.

Second major centre who teaches disabled persons to drive doesnt even have a 'slider' I could buy for the car steering wheel.

Nor would the workshop take back two brand new wheelchair tyres I bought just prior to giving up the thing for a motorised scooter because, "well, it all has to go through the books"

in other words, too much paperwork.

Money wasted ....you dont have to have a degree in medicine to see THAT!

Badger can I go for respite?  I have asked, never got an answer.

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 115

Posted: 22/05/2009 17:28

Badger5079

Looking at your post on 20/05/2009 #113

You're now talking about legalising PURE HERION. Where would we put all these persons on pure heroin if it were ever come to pass? What do you mean by putting them in Heroin spas?

I know of 2 european countries much bigger than our country thatdid indeed legalise illegal drugs. It was done years ago, it's known in hindsight that persons living there were terrified by these legal addicts . Don't know if it was reversed by Law, hope so. at end of your post you say-

The addicts will be off the streets and safely under control. Let everyone see that choosing to become addicted to drugs is choosing to be a slave or an animal with little autonomy.

This word you use "autonomy" means informed consent a word used by medics and politicians. Then with little autonomy be it illegal or legal drugs they become to be not decision makers with little autonomy. There are those out there that don't want what you suggest, want to be off illegal drugs, get help and not be in herion Spas.

Also the U.S. being one of our biggest Countries legalised Pure Heroin some years ago to try control addiction in The U.S. The availabiliaty of increasing supplies of cheap and pure herion is creating a growing number of users.

I would tend to think that if we were ever to have an election to Legalise Pure Heroin the majority would vote No and not be like you. I would believe that the majority would bin it.

Chrissie

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 114

Posted: 22/05/2009 15:12

Broken thanks for your post - hope it will not be much longer than you have already waited for your inverstigations about your muscles wasting.

I read about County Councils in our Counties, they each can have different rules. I just wondered if you contacted the County Manager in Council in your Area that maybe they would look further into your case/situation you are in and what's offered is not suitable to you.

I say all this because the County I live in have four County Councils, they each have different rules. One of them has a rule that a person can turn down 2 dwellings offered but must take the 3rd offer. Another one has rules that there are 2 offers, if 2nd offer not taken then they remove name from waiting list.

I say all this to you to look at options available because in places such as these mistakes can be made. I'll give you an example. Yesterday my Husband had to go to the Hospital to see Physio. This hospital texted him on his mobile on Wednesday to remind him his appointment was at 11.30. He just so happened to find his appointment card yesterday morning and written on it was 10am. He rang up this mobile number on text, they then put him onto appointments. Guess what he was told appointment was 10 o'clock, I rang Taxi straight away to get him there.

I say all this because they can make blunders, if you've already contacted your County Manager sorry for same. Hope you won't be too long waiting for care with your health.

Chrissie  

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 113

Posted: 20/05/2009 05:10

People who want to spend their lives in the grip of drug addiction should be allowed to dose up in government sponsored heroin spas. Let the government spend a certain amount of GDP on importing and purifying heroin from a wholesaler in the cheapest possible manner. Then let the addicts dose up on it. The market for street heroin will collapse. The level of crime on the streets in Dublin will collapse. The addicts will be off the streets and safely under control. Let everyone see that choosing to become addicted to drugs is choosing to be a slave or an animal with little autonomy.

# 112

Posted: 19/05/2009 20:34

Update: they refuse to offer me anything other than the one bed unit with shed out back as of yesterday.

Now I am back having private physiotherapy two lots and over Euros 100. Medical card means nothing.

Went to gastro (yeh, private too) told him I had lost the plot and dont know where I a with the meds at all, lost my new hearing aids within three days of getting and hardly eating and really dont know what I am doing.

"Anyone helping you" well now can any of ye answer that one? "No' I tell him.

Five years and still no physio, ot, eating implement, no investigations as to why my muscles are wasting but they MIGHT begin to try and find out once I see the shrink they are making me see. All consultants send me to a shrink first!

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 111

Posted: 19/05/2009 16:39

Hi Broken - admire your strength for what you did. Do you have the option to appeal this under housing needs for your disability? because what they offered you was awful.

Will you please keep us all posted

Chrissie

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 110

Posted: 14/05/2009 20:37

I received a note to say that the above comments from my stance at Dail Eireann had been rejected for publication.

but I find it hear.  Thinking that maybe the editor thought it was a bit OTT, I was just going to say that I did the protest, it wasnt easy but I learnt a lot and it made me a wee bit stronger.

I know in many instances, the above is not ideal at all, in any circumstances.  For me, it was appropiate but not liked.  It was a great deal demeaning and humiliating and it was the first time I did it.

Not to mention that my uncaring family are absolutely livid with me and are not speaking to me now.

They never did in the first place.

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 109

Posted: 13/05/2009 17:46

Report on my one man (and scooter) protest at Dail Eireann today.

I saw Brendan Drumm come out. I scooted after him and put out my hand to introduce myself.

I told him I have been trying to get in touch with his office for so many years, he answered "I havent been there for that long" I answered, "don't be so smart" Then I told him that did he hear that the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis said  he earned more than Mr. Obama, so what was he doing with our health service?" Smile went, "I dont have to take this and he shot off, just shot off up Kildare street.

Brian Lenihans brother, sorry dont know him, he was posing for photos by an newspaper guy, I tried to get him to talk to me when finally I said "do you prefer having your picture taken to talking to me?" he told me he preferred having his picture taken!!!!
He then said as he walked away, "send me a note" to which I shouted "how many notes do you get every day!

Next experience. In rides Ciaran Cuffe, I shouted to him "you will have to do more than ride your bike Ciaran!" He is in my constituency area. He told me he would talk to me later, like hell he would.
Next, I have a relation in the Dail who came in and asked me to come in for coffee, here we go, this is the best bit of all. I on a mobility scooter, I nearly knocked or desecrated the entrance to Dail Eireann cos the disability ramp was impeded by a sign.
I tried three different ramps and entrances and I still couldn't get in and all the bystanders Inside the sacred place were looking on at the embarrasing situation.
It was the most humiliating day I have ever had but dont regret it except the press photographer kept taking pictures and he was getting on my nerves. I put on my hat, boy I wish I hadnt cos the photographer liked it and he must have more pics.
I saw Ruari Quinn coming out. I actually think he is quite decent, but he saw me. He made for one exit and I backed to meet him, he saw this and made for another, and I scootered forward to get him there, and back and forward we went until he had to exit either one and knew he'd never get away. He was puce in the face.

That was very funny indeed.

x

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 108

Posted: 13/05/2009 13:39

Hi broken how can they expect you to live like that? A shed out back for your equipment? surely you need your equipment on hand in the same place should you need to access it? This stupid country gets worse every day!

# 107

Posted: 13/05/2009 09:28

Saw on the news last night, Ireland's largest childrens hospital is closing down wards and state of the art theatres as well as laying off staff. WHAT NEXT?

Why does the government keep targeting the vulnerable? The pensioner's medical cards, the lower and medium wage bracket workers, our childrens special needs facilities at primary and secondary levele, fees at third level, childcare cuts, welfare cuts, now SICK CHILDREN! They should be kicked out for gross imcompetency!

# 106

Posted: 13/05/2009 04:26

Dear Broken

I write to you and empathise with you as I read your story on another site here. We are thinking of you - and care deeply for you as a lot of us went through terrible trauma with our health. This is all about our understanding and caring here for you, as you care for us here.

I read in The Irish Times on the net what you mean about Disability Bill. Found in Irish Times a site www.hiqa.ie you can email them at info@hiqa.ie these are the people who put forward this Disabiliaty Bill in 2007. Their phone no is Dublin 01-8147400.

Also I found National Irish wheelchair association - As you use scooter and adapted car. From what I read on their Site they advise persons who use adapted cars of their rights. Their Site is www.iwa.ie their email address is www.iwa.ie and their phone no is Dublin 01-8186400. Maybe they can help you with your housing needs adaptable to your medical situation. I
hope I say nothing that is offensive, I care so much for those with long lasting illness, that it is so unfair. I give above that in perhaps one of the two sites I mention may talk about representing you, and you don't go it alone seeking your rights.

Chrissie

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 105

Posted: 12/05/2009 18:19

I am arriving at Dail Eireann tomorrow with my scooter and placard to protest about conditions for disabled persons as seen in to days Irish Times.

Also I did a sit in - a knee jerk reaction because they are stalling in providing me with appropiate rehousing needs, they can give me a one bed unit with a shed out the back for my disability equipment.

I had a beautiful home and they expect me to live in a box with a shed.

Just because they sold all their land for private apartments.

I feel yes, I will say it, on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but wait for it, they DONT take people in the the hospitals if you are breaking down, only if you are a danger to self or others.

I might end in the harbour, it would be my best option. I cannot take any more of this.

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 104

Posted: 11/05/2009 20:53

'Your service your say'-this i found on the HSE website! Well, I had my say! They give you an email address, but this is a sort of reverse psychology, it's a 'venting' in a belief that they care and will listen. I am sure that the amount of 'your say' they get in they are so swamped they never get round to 'our service our say - to you' sort of thing.

I read a lot of the site, mother of....talk about PR? I wonder who they bought in to work on that site and all the beautiful couched words and promises.

Some of the site hasn't been updated since '07, but it sure made interesting reading, rather pathetic and laughable given our dire crisis in health at present.

I was astounded, can Irish people really be taken in by this drivvel?

I had MY SAY!!!!!

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 103

Posted: 08/05/2009 17:06

I believe that the majority of persons living here are sick of it all too. I believe that if we had a General Election FF would be gone with the wind. But we're not due another General Election until 2012. We also heard on our media all about these 7 Junior Ministers being sacked. But these 7, and McGuinness being one of them never lost their backbencher seats as TDs.

Their salary was 154,000 Euros for J.M's, that's without all their add on expenses. These 7 are still TDs. dropped salary to 100,000 but still have their add on expenses for being TDs. Also learned that John McGuinness is pledged to give his 51,500 Euros severance pay for his sacked staff who are his two support staff and his two drivers. Thousands of persons who joined irishhealth.com do not like the way Brendan Drumm and Mary Harney do or not do things for our hospital system.

Perhaps we should look at a Site here [FGs Predges to reform medical system] posted 27/04/2009. There's a downloadable http://www.faircare.ie/ I'm not saying what they propose be right or be wrong but it's worth looking at. Their proposals will move towards the Dutch System, Dr. James Reilly supports this.

I'm not for any particular party right now, but as far as I know they are the only ones coming forward with a new suggestion on how to change our health system here, but I've read it will take time. Through imput from professionals and us I think would be some way forward than to stay as we are in a sort of static situation where everyone is affected by what has been done to us all right across the board. As in James told me FF are now in government over 3 recurring elections.

I'm reading this Faircare Book to try and understand what their proposals are, and we acquire knowledge of how this system may or may not work. So sadly we have no Platform to come together in droves and march peacefully on our government buildings because we have no way to band together to do just that, and the powers that be know this.

Chrissie

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 102

Posted: 07/05/2009 10:12

It is astounding the level of anger that is carried in all the messages posted here. The bad experiences the, neglect incompetence etc. However what amazes me more is that we all put up with this. In any other country there would be protests on the streets, people would line up outside ministers local offices but not in Ireland.

Unfortunately we get what we deserve and Harney and Drumm is what we deserve because it is what we accept. We are looked down on by these people who treat us with contempt while taking the spoils of office.

For so long I have put postings on this website but still I see the same thing  week after week. I have taken to writing to my local politician on every issue I believe strongly in and have let him know what I feel and that I will no support  him if he he does not support the people. You may have heard of John Mc Guinness recently probably the first politician. minister to have the balls to go against the grain. It is more of this that we should be demanding.. NOW

# 101

Posted: 07/05/2009 09:41

Any drug and drink related emergencies should be dealt with in a speciality unit with hours open at night. I agree completely Broken.

Chrissie, it sounds as tho you have your family well educated but this is not the case for allparents, despite ads on TV and schools from what I can see provide next to no sex education and it certainly doesn't seem to be compulsary from what I can see - tho of coiurse schools in your area moight well be better. Yes, of course vasectomy is an easier op than tubal ligation if a man is finished his family. In the circumstnaces that badger was talking about he was referring to young and uneducated teens having children (much of which is unplanned) whom they could not provide for and I was referring to that. Love and desire for a child are very important but it takes moe than that to provide for a child.

# 100

Posted: 06/05/2009 17:51

badger5079 Re: your post to myself 06/05/2009 #91

You mention weak addicts - drug users - methadone treatment. You put across here why give it to them, when they can get it on the street. Now you're talking about illegal drugs the likes of hereon, estacy.

Unfortunately drug users/alcohol users come from all walks of life, that is the reality and it's happening all around our western world. I have been indeed in A&E many times and never witnessed them tie up staff. Indeed most of our hospitals have in A&E a lot of security personell, as many other countries do too. I witnessed it in Colorado U.S.A. in 2003 that they have security personell when I was brought to A&E there. I didn't witness any patients attack staff and was there for 5 hours.

There should be more help out there for those who are trying to get off street drugs, then pass them onto methadone treatment. There are organizations out there who try to turn their lives around. Why? Because these persons want a good productive life, that they are no longer dependent on methadone.

Our Department of Justice seizes many illegal drugs coming into our Country. They are trying to wipe out street drugs. Perhaps the money they seize from these drug dealers could be spent on trying to cure this addiction, which is an illness. I know from others who are heart broken that their offspring use illegal drugs and methadone treatment they are tortured to see them like this. I know of persons who got loans to send them to private centres to be weaned off illegal drugs. A lot  have been cured, got on methadone treatment, got to privately run centres where they the users live and are monitored on a day to day situation. 

These young teenagers are first given illegal drugs free to put them on the road to addiction - which as I have said is an illness in itself, as is the likes of alcoholics. You being a Doctor are very judgemental. Your oath was to look after all regardless of their creed etc., you know the Sworn Oath.

You're also targetting teenage pregnancies Why? if you go into the www.cso.ie you will find that only 2% of those under 20 had babies this is c.s.o. figures is for 2006. I have checked this Site again to see is it updated to 2008. Not yet, it states they are in process of updating many different items there.

You're also not the only one paying taxes at source by income levies raised, it's happened to all those working in our Ireland. By the way until my Husband fell he paid tax on my invalidity book why? because that's the law. Am not against laws, but we're all in this recession together, everyone is effected by it even those on the dole. Those between 18 and just under 20 whether they lost their jobs or not, their payment was cut in half from 1st May 2009. This half payment now stands at 102.15 Euros. (as in your words on another post here - they drink their social welfare money)

Chrissie 

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 99

Posted: 06/05/2009 16:05

Anonymous Re: your post 06/05/2009 #93 you said:-

Yes Chrissie, no contraception is 100% fool-proof except sterilization, which of course is not suitable unless you have completed your family but at least using ANY form of contraception - pill condom is better than the ignorance of using nothing at all and having a child you did not intend and cannot look after.

Having read above, I was talking about elimating a pregnancy which you'll find if you schroll down to what I wrote. Sexually active persons see leaflets in chemists, doctor surgeries, it's advertised on our TV the importance of using condoms whether they are using any other sort of contraceptive mainly the Pill.

I have told my children, each of them to always remember that any teenager/adult who sleeps with someone without unprotected sex are at risk to getting HIV. To put it more bluntly they would be sleeping not only with that partner, but all their previous partners as well who may harbour this HIV, and all sexually transmitted diseases. (I told them at right age besides their school educating them about puberty/STDs/HIV)

As for sterilization if they are finished their family why don't men go for this method, and not women? It's an easier operation procedure on men and a quicker recovery rate.

Anoymous how do you conlude that a child would not be able to be looked after? What would they do with the Baby? Many a baby was not planned but looked after and wanted by a loving happy family, and that's what rearing a baby is all about.

Chrissie  

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 98

Posted: 06/05/2009 15:49

A few things here to address, soory Buzz of course you have right for your say, I apologise if you feel I think you do not.  I also agree that the drunks and addicts are ending up in A&E.

I have a friend pharmacist that works with adults on methadone, it DOES not help people get off drugs, it delays the process to get their head around giving up drugs and is actually just as bad as heroin is, by way of dependency

The drunks and addicts should NOT be ending up inf the A&E, neither are emergencies in the sense of physical emergencies.

Any drug and drink related emergencies should be dealt with in a speciality unit with hours open at night.

We do not have a special unit for these people in even the most deprived areas of dublin.

I agree, for I have been in A&E when the drunk are in and it isnt pretty at all.

Badger, you are going on about working hard at your training and job.  Well thats what working is all about.

When I went back to college I cleaned offices until 10pm every night and still up for 8am for college until 5pm.

Every summer I went to clean hotels. 

And when I got a job i worked - hard.  In my field if you were no good you didnt get a job, being in the Arts. and Design field.  I could work 30hrs on a brief and it could be snuff out and I'd walk away, no money, no commission hence 30hrs four nought.

No one has given me charity, hands outs, nothing.

I worked very hard indeed and it was the only way if you were to make it in the art world.

When you decide on a career you take the resultant consequences.  Mine was let downs and disappoints and I worked too long into the night to meet a deadline, AND you only get paid the agreed sum not over time.

Doctors should work, yes, you probably did work very hard to get where you did, yes you are probably very intelligent etc.

But you are indignant too, and feel a bit hard done by and have grievences, that others have not done the same.

Most, do the same.  Most want to work, achieve, attain.  Human nature has it so, in order for the survival of the fittest.

You couldnt run fast enough you were crushed by the hairy mammoth!

xx

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 97

Posted: 06/05/2009 14:09

I think that anyone who abuses medical staff should be fined - and indeed so should any medical staff who abuse patients. However, what gives you badger the right to fine people and label them because of an ILLNESS. Yes, addiction IS an illness and I would expect someone with a medical background to know this. I notice a distinct lack of mention of actual treatment of addicts - shame on you. That you work extremely hard and qualified thru your own determination I have not doubt, but this gives no-one the right to label others. Why are you so busy condescending to those who have teen pregnancies-why don't you spend the time constructively in educating those people? Jmes makes a good point re patient care., If somethinh goes wroing under the private hospital in the NTPF, the patient is transferred back to the public system Simlarly with maternity care. An all private hospital may have excellent facilites and brilliant obs / patient ratio. But if something serious goes wrong with the birth - in the Lleinster area, I know for a fact that mother (and baby if neccessary) are both transferred to the Rotunda.

# 96

Posted: 06/05/2009 13:37

Broken please don't have a go at me. It sounds like you have gone through a lot but I am entitled to express my opinion, one which I think you may have misinterpreted anyway if your post is anything to go by!

# 95

Posted: 06/05/2009 13:08

Hi James yes you do have some good points there but I still think I will take my chances with private for now. Of course in an ideal world we would all have access to comprehensive and efficent public healthcare, failing that I will stay where I am for now. What really made my mind up for me was seeing a family friend, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, being left to wait all day for a bed in the treatment unit, and when that ward clsoed for the night, being told to go and wait in A+E. Three weeks later still no treatment!

# 94

Posted: 06/05/2009 12:02

Buzz,

I would have to disagree strongly with your opinion that private health is the best. There are many situations where the public health system is far superior and in fact can only be provided properly by the public system. Examples would include the cancer screening programme. BreastCheck is a public service and is acknowledged to be up there with the best in the world. Don’t forget Barringtons was a private hospital providing poor standard of care for Breast Cancer. The concept of the cancer strategy really can only be driven and delivered to the population at large through the public system. The private system targets one-off issues such as you hip replacement or heart by-pass. If anything seriously goes wrong it is often the situation that the private hospital patient is transferred to the nearest public hospital. Similarly with maternity care. Sure the private hospital may have lovely facilities, but should your baby be in any way be seriously ill, the baby will be transferred to Holles St.

True there are many inefficient practices in public hospitals and some exorbitant pay structures leading to certain sections being paid far too much (and I am not talking about consultants here). These should be addressed (if either the unions or the HSE had the guts to tackle it). However to throw out the baby with the bath water would be a backward step. Look at most European countries with very well run public systems. Look at the US with very well run private system. Which country would you prefer to be treated in if you couldn’t afford insurance?

# 93

Posted: 06/05/2009 11:43

Yes Chrissie, no contraceptive is 100% foolproof - except sterilisation, which of course is not suitable unless you have completed your family but at least using ANY form of contraceptive - pill or condom is better than the ignorance of using nothing at all and having a child you did not intend and cannot look after.

# 92

Posted: 06/05/2009 00:58

Broken, you said:

"Crumbsy crumbs Badger, you are not living in the real world..."

Typical anti-doctor propaganda. I am living in the real world. I work hard for my living. I qualified as a doctor mainly due to my own determination and work ethic. Th real world I live in is one where I am expected to give up 40% of my income this year between training and allowances so that "Nik-al-ah" and "Anto" can have teen pregnancies and take drugs and expect to be housed and fed out of my pocket as a right instead of learning to earn a wage. These people are the ones who are not living in the real world if you ask me.

# 91

Posted: 06/05/2009 00:49

Chrissie, you said (in your lay person way):

"Would you let us know how the likes of those on alcohol take up space, are they admitted for liver dysfunction or those on illegal drugs if their condition is bad they be sent off to another hospital if it's effecting their brain."

My response:

People who present to the emergency department due to drink and drug-related issues should be heavily fined. If you have been in the emergency department a few times, you will know the type of which I speak. They vomit on the floor and abuse the nurses and shout and scare other patients and tie up security staff while waiting for the effects of the drink/drugs to wear off. Meanwhile other patients cower in fear and disgust and pain and have a delay in being attended to because of these weak addicts. They should pay a heavy price for their stupidity and selfishness.

As regards methadone treatment, I think it is a costly exercise which does not cure the addict - it merely makes them dependent on a state-provided drug instead of a street-provided one. I think that over 400 million Euros was spent last year on addiction services.

# 90

Posted: 05/05/2009 19:58

Buzz, How can the public health service be any better when MOST of the money and most of the ideas are heading toward PRIVATE health care. NO one took my right to pay insurance, I HAVE insurance cos the public is so bad.

Tell me this, why when I arrive at A&E in a private hospital that my head is MRI'd when I go in with a gut blockage?

Why am I sent the social worker, the dietitian, the OT, the Physio all for assessment and never in a month of sundays would that happen in the public service.

Even after 10 diagnosed with crohns through the PRIVATE service I never got to see a dietitian until this time in hospital.

We do NOT have a public service. I cannot afford to be paying for every little thing in health.

I havent worked for thirty years, I now drive an adapted van and use a scooter.

I wish people here are more realistic.

the divide in public/private health DOES NOT work for either sectors.

I would go the scandinavian way rather than the american way.

"Please God, help the ignorant!"

# 89

Posted: 05/05/2009 17:25

Looking for equality of treatment regarding health is not a give for free, it's to protect others in our population to protect their health. e.g. giving young babies immunization so that those who are not quite the right months old do not catch diseases e.g. mumps/rubella/measles.

As in private patients verses public patients, lets just wait and see as we go further down the depression line, and more and more jobs are lost how will it fare out? A lot of middle class familes and single persons pay at source their private insurance.

Chrissie

UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL

# 88

Posted: 05/05/2009 11:36

and young middle class teens and young adults drink to excess, arrive home without knowing how they have, biff and box each other over a trifle outside the posh night clubs, also smoke dope and other substances.  But all this is blanketed out as 'normal' but it isnt normal for a working class lad to get drunk.

I disagree, the OPPOSITE is far more likely - all you need to do is look at the luas red line!

# 87

Posted: 05/05/2009 11:34

Whatever about the state of the private sector, the public is far worse. Why would you condem people to the public service  by taking away their RIGHT to pay for a better health service of they wish to. Until the public health service is flawless (and I dont think that will ever happen) then nobody can take away someones right to pay for a better system if they so wish. Would you force everyone to survive on bread and water, even those willing and able to pay for more, because there are some who cannot afford better?