is Arthritis classed as an emergency?

Hi cheria

laura has clearly had a tough time and I m glad she now has an appointment with rheumy on Friday. Unfortunately her GP didn't have right steroid ( and GO surgeries aren't usually open weekends)and her rheumy was away. Two unusual circumstances.

But there isn't necessarily this delay for everyone.  I for one, as an RA patient in the uk have had amazing treatment. Yes there ve been times of flare and real difficulty but at each point have  been in an informed process of next steps to both diagnose and improve my condition. 

But out I think this whole discussion has raised important questions about what do we do in a bad flare. Each of us needs to know in our own settings what the best route is to get help as a flare can happen without much warning.so I do hope Laura gets good advice on this to avoid this situation happening again.

Cheria:

As Rowbirdie has said - it isn't always like that. Emergencies arise that aren't the sort of thing to take to A&E but do need the attention of more than a GP/out of hours doctor and require time to sort it out. Especially since even medical care workers get to have holidays - and it wouldn't have been significantly different in the US if your rheumatologist was in single practice and was off on vacation. 

However - without wanting to appear critical I do find it surprising that someone from the USA (I assume) thinks the UK has an "unreasonable shortage of health care attention". Every single person in the UK is covered for any healthcare they require FREE AT THE POINT OF SERVICE. That is from the Queen down, including the unemployed, even the destitute. Even visitors to the country will be treated immediately when it is needed - without first being asked to hand over an insurance card or prove they can pay for it. My friend was taken to hospital in advanced labour to a private hospital where she was registered (not in the UK) - and was kept in the corridor until the right forms were filled in, she almost gave birth on thr trolley - and I know of people that something similar has happened to in the USA. 

If Laura's doctor decides that methotrexate isn't doing the job - which it probably isn't - he can change the medication as he likes without her first having to apply to her insurance company for permission for reimbursement and wait. I have a friend with RA who almost died waiting because permission had to be sought for Humira to be used since nothing else was working - that would not happen in the UK. Once a drug has been approved in the system it is available for use by specialists immediately if they feel it is appropriate. 

Above all - in the UK there is no need for anyone to sell their home to pay for medical care. No-one need fear being left destitute because of their healthcare costs. They don't have to plough through paperwork and phone calls for every change of medication or change of insurance. They are covered from birth to death - and are still covered if they are ill and have to leave work as a result. It is similar to the system that a lot of Americans objected to Obama introducing - because they fear that because it is "free" it will be abused. The NHS is abused because irresponsible people think A&E is for broken finger nails, ambulances are free taxis and they expect to get their (free) prescription from the GP for paracetamol (Tylenol) for their hangover. ERs in the US are abused by drug seekers too. You don't just get narcotics on demand in the UK so that probably wouldn't have helped Laura either.

There are flaws and difficulties that need addressing - but in general the NHS does a wonderful job. The problem here was that Laura hadn't been given a pathway for access to the right care in an emergency and that needs to be addressed.

But no, it cannot be said "There seems to be such an unreasonable shortage of health care attention in the UK.." 

Thank you Rowbirdie for your thoughtful response.

Hi Cheria

I think with the NHS is down to different experiences for different people, just as I imagine the healthcare is where you live.

I have unfortunately not had the best experiences with the nhs and for the beginning of my RA journey I too had to pay for my healthcare as the nhs doctors at my GP laughed at me and said I was "too young to have RA". If it wasn't for my two private doctors I don't know where I'd be right now as I was misdiagnosed twice by nhs doctors.

However, I do think that people will have a different opinion on nhs and paying for healthcare dependig on their own experiences. Some will say it's great because it's free and others say other countries have better healthcare as 'you pay for what you get'.

I have had bad experiences with the nhs but also some good ones like today for example I have called my GP and spoken to a different doctor who has agreed to drain my knee and give me the injection tomorrow so I don't have to wait until Friday. Although this is good news even the doctor couldn't understand why the injection wasn't given to me last week when I was at the GP. So that shows it also depends on which doctor you see and how far they are prepared to go for you.

I think a lot of the problem with the nhs and the problem that I have had this time and many others in my case who have had to sit and wait in agony for appointments and help from the nhs, is there is so many people living in the UK and maybe not everyone is using the system properly which unfortunately leaves others who really need help waiting sometimes months for appointments.

Hi Laura; what you have just said is too true.....having worked in the Public System here in Australia, I also support this statement...one's care depended on who you first came in contact with, upon entering the ED....the Triage Nurse....if she/he was prepared to give you the notice you deserved, and then found you the correct treatment, then you were  on the right path.....however, having also worked in the sector, I also know of some people who didn't take their profession seriously (just wanted their paycheck/became too calous)....and then you were "another number".   Hence, my decision also to have Private Insurance....I was not prepared to have a member of my family be one of the number for a "newby" to practice on....I did put myself in that same position, and let a "newbie" practice on me to give me a Lumbar Puncture, which he wasn't able to do....and hence  ", with Blood Patch etc after (which this newbie told me was nothing, as I'd had a very traumatic time as his inpatient, and only needed to rest.)...went straight back to my own hospital and, because they knew me, gave me the correct treatment straight away....as I feel, we do need to be careful of ourselves, as it is our life/health that we put in others' hands....I prefer to choose my doctors/health care providers for this reason....and Yes it can be drain on our house finances, but an essential one to me......I do hope all is sorted for you now....your initial blog has lead us all down a Long and sometimes, unwanted, path of inputs.....now we can all smile from having learn't a Lot...............Bron

Thank you Rowbirdie.

I am going to keep the appointment on Friday too so I can discuss my medication. Hopefully tomorrow will help I have my fingers crossed!