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My local Hospital experience


Jambo

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25 minutes ago, Jambo said:

I have had this small "growth" on my right shoulder for well over 5 years. It is neither a wart or a mole and looks more like a "cauliflower" shape. It was about the size of the end part of a finger and has never bothered me until I recently caught it with a "sponge on a rope" in the shower and made it bleed.

We visited Bangsaray and Pattaya this week and on impulse I decided to get it removed. As it seemed to me a fairly simple procedure we discounted going to BPH or Pattaya International and make use of the local government Hospital near to Bangsaray itself. BPH would have probably amputated my right arm and presented me with a bill for a million baht.

We visited on Tuesday and waited a couple of hours in a suitably socially distanced waiting room to see a doctor.  An inspection by that doctor was followed by an appointment for 2:00pm for the next day to have it removed by the visiting "specialist" who probably works most of the week at BPH or Pattaya International.

I was presented with a bill for the consultation and blood pressure check............... 50 baht.

That is not a missprint.

The next day at 2.15pm I am taken through to their A & E department, partially disrobe and told to lay down where I am fussed over by a couple of nurses. The doctor arrives and soon has all the nurses in stitches if you will excuse the pun. All very professional after that and several local injections later I feel no pain. About 15 minutes later and 6 actual stitches in me it is all finished.

I collect antibiotics and pain killers and a follow up appointment to have the stitches removed

I also am handed the account for the treatment and medication........................... 470 baht.

There was also an additional 500 baht to pay for the speciment to be sent for checking at pathology in Bangkok for malignancy/cancer.

I was speaking to my daughter in Scotland last night and she was amazed that I had seen the Doctor one day and had the treatment the next. Louise said I would probably have had to wait 6 months for an appointment at a UK hospital.

 

Hope it's benign and you're on your way.

If it is skin cancer be sure to consult a dermatologist experienced with ski cancer (especially if it is melanoma). 
It's not as simple as just cutting it out. There are specific measurements that determine the next course of action (if needed).

 

Edited by lazarus
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54 minutes ago, Jambo said:

BPH would have probably amputated my right arm and presented me with a bill for a million baht.

LOL, i give BH Korat a massive swerve nowadays mate, its ALL about the money and a case of how much can they relieve you of, no ethics whatsoever f*** em.

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1 hour ago, Jambo said:

I have had this small "growth" on my right shoulder for well over 5 years. It is neither a wart or a mole and looks more like a "cauliflower" shape. It was about the size of the end part of a finger and has never bothered me until I recently caught it with a "sponge on a rope" in the shower and made it bleed.

We visited Bangsaray and Pattaya this week and on impulse I decided to get it removed. As it seemed to me a fairly simple procedure we discounted going to BPH or Pattaya International and make use of the local government Hospital near to Bangsaray itself. BPH would have probably amputated my right arm and presented me with a bill for a million baht.

We visited on Tuesday and waited a couple of hours in a suitably socially distanced waiting room to see a doctor.  An inspection by that doctor was followed by an appointment for 2:00pm for the next day to have it removed by the visiting "specialist" who probably works most of the week at BPH or Pattaya International.

I was presented with a bill for the consultation and blood pressure check............... 50 baht.

That is not a missprint.

The next day at 2.15pm I am taken through to their A & E department, partially disrobe and told to lay down where I am fussed over by a couple of nurses. The doctor arrives and soon has all the nurses in stitches if you will excuse the pun. All very professional after that and several local injections later I feel no pain. About 15 minutes later and 6 actual stitches in me it is all finished.

I collect antibiotics and pain killers and a follow up appointment to have the stitches removed

I also am handed the account for the treatment and medication........................... 470 baht.

There was also an additional 500 baht to pay for the speciment to be sent for checking at pathology in Bangkok for malignancy/cancer.

I was speaking to my daughter in Scotland last night and she was amazed that I had seen the Doctor one day and had the treatment the next. Louise said I would probably have had to wait 6 months for an appointment at a UK hospital.

 

Yep ... was this a public or private hospital ?

This is what I know consulting/working for the largest private hospital group in Thailand for over 15 years here ...

They are very serious about the quality of care they provide ... good doctors, nurses and equipment .... plus, pretty fucking good software .. most of the English speaking Doctors went to med school in the USA  ( not saying this is good or bad ) 

My last experiment in the hospital was at a public hospital in the deep South .. something bit me ( I think a spider ) on the inside of my foot ... it swelled up as big as a football ... hurt like f**k ... I went for 7 days straight and they gave me an IV full of antibiotics ... and a couple of shots in my foot and I was ok after about maybe 3 weeks later ....

I could not believe how big my foot swelled up and after the swelling finally went down the entire skin of my foot just peeled off in thick chunks ....

The doctors and facilities here are very good ...

IMG_5092.JPG

 

Edited by code_slayer_bkk
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2 hours ago, Jambo said:

I have had this small "growth" on my right shoulder for well over 5 years. It is neither a wart or a mole and looks more like a "cauliflower" shape. It was about the size of the end part of a finger and has never bothered me until I recently caught it with a "sponge on a rope" in the shower and made it bleed.

We visited Bangsaray and Pattaya this week and on impulse I decided to get it removed. As it seemed to me a fairly simple procedure we discounted going to BPH or Pattaya International and make use of the local government Hospital near to Bangsaray itself. BPH would have probably amputated my right arm and presented me with a bill for a million baht.

We visited on Tuesday and waited a couple of hours in a suitably socially distanced waiting room to see a doctor.  An inspection by that doctor was followed by an appointment for 2:00pm for the next day to have it removed by the visiting "specialist" who probably works most of the week at BPH or Pattaya International.

I was presented with a bill for the consultation and blood pressure check............... 50 baht.

That is not a missprint.

The next day at 2.15pm I am taken through to their A & E department, partially disrobe and told to lay down where I am fussed over by a couple of nurses. The doctor arrives and soon has all the nurses in stitches if you will excuse the pun. All very professional after that and several local injections later I feel no pain. About 15 minutes later and 6 actual stitches in me it is all finished.

I collect antibiotics and pain killers and a follow up appointment to have the stitches removed

I also am handed the account for the treatment and medication........................... 470 baht.

There was also an additional 500 baht to pay for the speciment to be sent for checking at pathology in Bangkok for malignancy/cancer.

I was speaking to my daughter in Scotland last night and she was amazed that I had seen the Doctor one day and had the treatment the next. Louise said I would probably have had to wait 6 months for an appointment at a UK hospital.

 

You cannot see a Doctor in Scotland. They call you back when you call the surgery. I've been trying to see one for over two Months because of blood pressure and a slipped disk in my back.

They just prescribe whatever you want to keep you happy. Take your word on bp levels. No chance would you have seen any Doctor in Scotland.

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2 hours ago, farangme said:

You cannot see a Doctor in Scotland. They call you back when you call the surgery. I've been trying to see one for over two Months because of blood pressure and a slipped disk in my back.

They just prescribe whatever you want to keep you happy. Take your word on bp levels. No chance would you have seen any Doctor in Scotland.

It's the same here in Northern Ireland. You have to phone between 8:30am and 10am, a doctor will then call you back. If you need to be seen in person then it is a 4-6 week wait.

You can't criticise the NHS because it has now become a religion in the UK. The truth is that the NHS is broken, and no longer fit for purpose, massive changes need to be made.

Edited by dcfc2007
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42 minutes ago, dcfc2007 said:

It's the same here in Northern Ireland. You have to phone between 8:30am and 10am, a doctor will then call you back. If you need to be seen in person then it is a 4-6 week wait.

You can't criticise the NHS because it has now become a religion in the UK. The truth is that the NHS is broken, and no longer fit for purpose, massive changes need to be made.

its the reason I left 20 odd years ago,,,its a shit  centralised health model,Soviet or Cuban in essence ...for all its good intentions and laudable aspirations  it just doesnt work..too top down ..it will never work ..look to a mixed model like Germany ..there are reasons why the Gemans did so much better in Covid management .

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20 minutes ago, Ivan the terrible said:

its the reason I left 20 odd years ago,,,its a shit  centralised health model,Soviet or Cuban in essence ...for all its good intentions and laudable aspirations  it just doesnt work..too top down ..it will never work ..look to a mixed model like Germany ..there are reasons why the Gemans did so much better in Covid management .

i would gather you dont agree Jambo...would be good to have a chat about it 

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18 minutes ago, Ivan the terrible said:

its the reason I left 20 odd years ago,,,its a shit  centralised health model,Soviet or Cuban in essence ...for all its good intentions and laudable aspirations  it just doesnt work..too top down ..it will never work ..look to a mixed model like Germany ..there are reasons why the Gemans did so much better in Covid management .

But if you criticise the NHS you are a far-right, baby eating Nazi. That's the standard of discourse around the debate in the UK. Thailand has the 6th best health system in the world.

A top class private health system for those that can pay, and a good public health system for those that can't afford to pay.

It's no surprise to me that Thailand has managed Covid19 better than the UK. The UK has too many immigrants and third world mongrels leeching off the health service, absolute disgrace.

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The hospital I visited is a small Government hospital about 10 minutes from Bangsaray and not far from Nong Nooch Gardens.

I very much doubt that they get many non-Thai's but most signs were in both Thai and English.

Unless you can speak English well you need a Thai with you when you visit a Government hospital just to follow procedures and find your way around. They may  look a bit shabby but other than having to wait around sometimes I have nothing adverse to say about the treatment and service they provide. 

One amusing incident occured in the waiting room which had every other seat marked not to be used. About maybe 6 or so Thai's ignored this when suddenly a senior looking nurse went ape shit and ripped the offenders a new asshole in front of everybody!

 

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38 minutes ago, Ivan the terrible said:

its the reason I left 20 odd years ago,,,its a shit  centralised health model,Soviet or Cuban in essence ...for all its good intentions and laudable aspirations  it just doesnt work..too top down ..it will never work ..look to a mixed model like Germany ..there are reasons why the Gemans did so much better in Covid management .

It is 14 years since I had personal experience of the UK's NHS but even then you were lucky to see the local GP within a week and non-emergency procedures had a 6 month waiting period.

Some eighteen months after my English wife had died having spent her last 6 months in hospital in Edinburgh, I received a phone call asking me if the following week was okay for them to visit to install a stair lift. Not much more to say is there really?

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12 minutes ago, Jambo said:

The hospital I visited is a small Government hospital about 10 minutes from Bangsaray and not far from Nong Nooch Gardens.

I very much doubt that they get many non-Thai's but most signs were in both Thai and English.

Unless you can speak English well you need a Thai with you when you visit a Government hospital just to follow procedures and find your way around. They may  look a bit shabby but other than having to wait around sometimes I have nothing adverse to say about the treatment and service they provide. 

One amusing incident occured in the waiting room which had every other seat marked not to be used. About maybe 6 or so Thai's ignored this when suddenly a senior looking nurse went ape shit and ripped the offenders a new asshole in front of everybody!

 

Hatty jacques's are definitely required in nursing  

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2 minutes ago, Jambo said:

It is 14 years since I had personal experience of the UK's NHS but even then you were lucky to see the local GP within a week and non-emergency procedures had a 6 month waiting period.

Some eighteen months after my English wife had died having spent her last 6 months in hospital in Edinburgh, I received a phone call asking me if the following week was okay for them to visit to install a stair lift. Not much more to say is there really?

Understood mate,when this has all blown over it would be great to spend a few hours with you and yours with me and mine ..all the best

Edited by Ivan the terrible
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2 hours ago, dcfc2007 said:

It's the same here in Northern Ireland. You have to phone between 8:30am and 10am, a doctor will then call you back. If you need to be seen in person then it is a 4-6 week wait.

You can't criticise the NHS because it has now become a religion in the UK. The truth is that the NHS is broken, and no longer fit for purpose, massive changes need to be made.

Yup, same here. My bp averaging 165-175 over 100 and I'm on max dose of pills. Told the Doctor that only alcohol reduces it. He agreed and said yeah, that works best for it.

No chance can see a Doctor they simply are not interested.

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48 minutes ago, Jambo said:

It is 14 years since I had personal experience of the UK's NHS but even then you were lucky to see the local GP within a week and non-emergency procedures had a 6 month waiting period.

Some eighteen months after my English wife had died having spent her last 6 months in hospital in Edinburgh, I received a phone call asking me if the following week was okay for them to visit to install a stair lift. Not much more to say is there really?

Sorry to hear that but you're right. The NHS is all but gone.

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I have just recovered from cancer and the treatment and care that I received was excellent in every way. Saved my life. So I am grateful to the NHS. They made an early detection and dealt with it almost straight away within 2 weeks of diagnosis.  

Of course the NHS is not perfect. What health system is unless you are filthy rich and can travel anywhere in the world for private treatment. We are still lucky that treatment is free at the point of service and we don't get turned away without a credit card. 

It definitely needs more funding and better management but that is for the newly elected government to sort out as they promised in their manifesto. We will have to wait and see on that one 

The NHS has not gone it just needs constant improvement 

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4 minutes ago, Nightcrawler said:

I have just recovered from cancer and the treatment and care that I received was excellent in every way. Saved my life. So I am grateful to the NHS. They made an early detection and dealt with it almost straight away within 2 weeks of diagnosis.  

Of course the NHS is not perfect. What health system is unless you are filthy rich and can travel anywhere in the world for private treatment. We are still lucky that treatment is free at the point of service and we don't get turned away without a credit card. 

It definitely needs more funding and better management but that is for the newly elected government to sort out as they promised in their manifesto. We will have to wait and see on that one 

The NHS has not gone it just needs constant improvement 

I'm glad you had a positive experience but that isn't always the case. In fact the UK has some of the worst cancer survival rates among developed nations. The NHS is broken and not fit for purpose.

 

 

But the bad news is that, compared to some other countries, the UK's survival rates are still lower. The UK ranks lowest of the 7 countries for 5 of the 7 cancers measured. And although the gap between countries has narrowed for 1-year survival, it has not changed so much for 5-year survival.

Australia, Norway and Canada generally had better survival rates than New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland and the UK.

https://www.nhs.uk/news/cancer/uk-still-behind-cancer-survival-despite-advances/

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Survival rates are also higher than some other countries. 

As I said in my post. There is room for improvement and let's hope that it happens in future years. I not a pessimist and not everything is doom and gloom. 

One of the nicer things about having cancer is that you get to meet and talk to lots of other people suffering from the disease 

Most of those people praise the NHS for the treatment and care

For those who disagree, in the unfortunate circumstances or getting cancer or serious illness then go private or to another country for your care and treatment. 

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35 minutes ago, farangme said:

Yup, same here. My bp averaging 165-175 over 100 and I'm on max dose of pills. Told the Doctor that only alcohol reduces it. He agreed and said yeah, that works best for it.

No chance can see a Doctor they simply are not interested.

praps stop posting 🤣

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8 minutes ago, Nightcrawler said:

Survival rates are also higher than some other countries. 

As I said in my post. There is room for improvement and let's hope that it happens in future years. I not a pessimist and not everything is doom and gloom. 

One of the nicer things about having cancer is that you get to meet and talk to lots of other people suffering from the disease 

Most of those people praise the NHS for the treatment and care

For those who disagree, in the unfortunate circumstances or getting cancer or serious illness then go private or to another country for your care and treatment. 

That is not an appropriate comment,its anecdotal and it flys in the face of the medical  evidence about outcomes  well before Covid...it could and should be better in the UK but its the system, not the lack of will, nor the quality of its medical staff (whom are some of the best in the world) which mandates mediocre performance compared to 1st world norms

Edited by Ivan the terrible
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I think it is very appropriate. We will have to beg to differ on that. 

I personally judge the NHS on my own experience and that of my family. I could waste. My days visiting websites about other countries but I live in the UK and I have used the system a fair bit over the last 20 years. Its not perfect but little else is either. 

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1 hour ago, Nightcrawler said:

I think it is very appropriate. We will have to beg to differ on that. 

I personally judge the NHS on my own experience and that of my family. I could waste. My days visiting websites about other countries but I live in the UK and I have used the system a fair bit over the last 20 years. Its not perfect but little else is either. 

fair enough mate ...personal experience .either positive or negative will inevitably colour an individuals perspective and I'm delighted you were well served..but it is anectodal evidence

Scientific data at a population level however suggests the NHS lags behind other comparable countries in terms of health outcomes

I  wish it were not so ,but you have to follow the evidence painful though that may be because it challenges our preconceptions

That is why we have comapative studies to find this shit out because there is no way to evaluate it if you go by personal experience alone in small numbers ...widespread community evaluation is required

If the NHS was the best in class by evidence dont you think the pollies would be broadcasting it?They havn't ,never have, for fear of being called out.So they dress it up as NHS heros ..which they are of course, but those workers are unwittingly a political tool for a substandard health system 

Its a very sad and untruthful state of affairs 

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44 minutes ago, Ivan the terrible said:

fair enough mate ...personal experience .either positive or negative will inevitably colour an individuals perspective and I'm delighted you were well served..but it is anectodal evidence

Scientific data at a population level however suggests the NHS lags behind other comparable countries in terms of health outcomes

I  wish it were not so ,but you have to follow the evidence painful though that may be because it challenges our preconceptions

That is why we have comapative studies to find this shit out because there is no way to evaluate it if you go by personal experience alone in small numbers ...widespread community evaluation is required

If the NHS was the best in class by evidence dont you think the pollies would be broadcasting it?They havn't ,never have, for fear of being called out.So they dress it up as NHS heros ..which they are of course, but those workers are unwittingly a political tool for a substandard health system 

Its a very sad and untruthful state of affairs 

It's important to separate the staff from the organisation. The nurses, doctors and other key workers are absolutely amazing, a credit to the profession. The NHS itself, is a bureaucratic organisation full of expensive middle managers and needless jobsworths, completely unfit for purpose.

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1 minute ago, Nightcrawler said:

Hopefully the Tories will fulfill their promise to improve the NHS

It's been in their hands for a while now. 

Nah, too busy virtue signalling over it to do anything meaningful.

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