NHS or Private?

[Aston]

I know a few doctors and they all say if you're having a major operation - have it on the NHS. NHS hospitals are better equipped to deal with the situation if something goes wrong, whereas Private operating theatres tend to be specialised in one area which means they struggle if something unexpected happens - they might not have the right stuff on hand.

[Katnap]

Really? My uncle's got to have a knee replacement done at some point, and his doctor has told him to go private so that he's at less risk from MRSA, etc.

I had a small op a few years ago (day patient stuff), and by that evening, I was already showing signs of an infection in the wound. Saying that, I've never known anybody have an operation at the Queen's Medical Centre and not come out with some sort of infection.

[Stuart*]

....by that evening, I was already showing signs of an infection in the wound. Saying that, I've never known anybody have an operation at the Queen's Medical Centre and not come out with some sort of infection.

I guess you've blown your chances of becoming Marketing Director of Queen's Medical Centre then

[Katnap]

....by that evening, I was already showing signs of an infection in the wound. Saying that, I've never known anybody have an operation at the Queen's Medical Centre and not come out with some sort of infection.

I guess you've blown your chances of becoming Marketing Director of Queen's Medical Centre then

No way would I want a job there - it's a very fine teaching and research hospital (in conjunction with Nottingham University), but the patient care is a bit lousy and since the merger with Nottingham City Hospital, everything's up in the air a bit.

[Stuart*]

No way would I want a job there - it's a very fine teaching and research hospital (in conjunction with Nottingham University), but the patient care is a bit lousy and since the merger with Nottingham City Hospital, everything's up in the air a bit.

That's the sort of job I have, I'm working at Peninsula Medical School which is run jointly by Plymouth Uni and South West NHS - doesn't stop me complaining to my MP about my delay for treatment at the hospital though.

[Gavin Scott]

Funny, this came up in conversation in the office today. The NHS are apparently debating reopening A&E at Edinburgh's Western General half a decade after it closed.

As it transpired, we all came at the discussion from different angles and had wildly different opinions.

I've had amazingly good experience from NHS hospitals for major, day and cosmetic surgery (although the latter should be considered major). Great experiences with all three, yet I heard horror stories relating to the hospitals I visited.

While I am persuaded thats there's probably less risk of MRSA in a private facility, I find the "NHS are better equipped" argument to make a lot of sense.

The odds say that you won't come to any harm in either.

[Sput]

I guess like anything you're bound to hear a lot more about horror stories than things that go just fine. Things that go just fine are so *boring*.

[Johnny]

NHS London North East is in alot of trouble at the moment, New Romford Hospital (now renamed Queens Hospital) is the new "super hospital" opened in the East London/West Essex area which replaced Oldchurch Hospital.

To "plug the hole" in the "cash defecit" apparently the plan is to cut A&E services at Wipps Cross (Leytonstone), King George Hospital (Goodmayes, my local which only opened 12-14 years ago), and for Harold Wood Hospital to close with all A&E calls going to Queens Hospital (Romford), which has a minimum of 3 hours wait no matter what time of the day it is. Parking at the new hospital is also virtually non existant as well.

Just a fucking shambles.

However our local MP (Mike Gapes, Labour Ilford South) is at least fighting against these closures, not sure about the MP's in Leytonstone & Harold Wood though

[tillyoshea]

In terms of getting infections, I'd say that there are good and bad hospitals in the private sector, just as in the NHS. If I was in your situation, I'd go with the NHS, and like Aston, most of the doctors I know would say the same.

Of course, the best person to ask here would be the renowned surgeon Mr Joe Harvard, but I haven't seen him around lately...

[marbles333]

NHS North East Wales isn't too bad at all. Our hospital isn't cutting corners (yet), and quite lucky to have an NHS Dentist too.
Wouldn't be able to afford anything else :p

[Lorns]

In terms of getting infections, I'd say that there are good and bad hospitals in the private sector, just as in the NHS. If I was in your situation, I'd go with the NHS, and like Aston, most of the doctors I know would say the same.

Of course, the best person to ask here would be the renowned surgeon Mr Joe Harvard, but I haven't seen him around lately...

Shouldn't that be Dr. Joe Harvard. Shame on you * shakes head*