Hi all,
So, here's my personal experience.
Long story short: I was already told that based on various tests, I in line for an invasive coronary imaging procedure. I had some chest pains after clearing the snow, and similar pains at intervals. I could not distinguish between muscle pain and heart issues, but nevertheless, having cleared quite some snow, I felt something. Next day again, this time at work after some moving, same thing, took my usual medication, did not help much, hard pain. Called the nurse, based on symptoms, she connected directly to emergency services.
Ambulance showed up in about 5 minutes. Was taken to the central hospital, put in care.
My experience:
The care levels are very good. The nurses very caring, and so was the doctor on duty.
The medical care is simply outstanding. The doctor/ surgeon that did the procedure was skilled, and the movements very well choreographed. No room for errors, and reassuring.
The administrative process needs improvement - big time. I.e. while I was there from Friday onwards, I was told the procedure would be the next day, i.e. Saturday, and the "next day" kept going on until Thursday, when earlier I felt the same pains. So, they checked me on Thursday. Before that they could not answer a simple question:
This day? This week? This month? This year?
As I hear, this is not a seasonal issue, but round the clock. For sure, they must and rightfully so take emergencies and acute cases first; however, for those in care there also has to be a timeline - an SLA if you will! Time to start asking: Who is responsible? Very subtly, I popped a question: I hear that a political person had similar issues ... I don't see him in the ward, or did he manage to get "ahead" of the line!
My own perception is that they are heavily underfunded, and under-resourced and that is a political issue. Of course, when the taxis and the renovation of the building costs 300 million! Need I say more! Won't be polite then!
Summa summarum Having been in IT, let me describe it this way:
- Tier III (Tier 3) is among the best. No doubts, and they are constantly improving. Cutting edge.
- The Tier I (Tier 1) i.e. GP is generally weak unless they are in the private hospitals! (How do I know that? Am a hospital kid, mom worked there. My younger sister is 24 now, and she turned into a full-fledged GP at 23. The other sister of mine is a Senior Anesthesiologist, she was 29 or so! We've got most specialities in house. And woefully speaking: I sometimes think I do the computers ) The Tier I here at 40+ generally may show a lack of enthusiasm and don't have a speciality! BIG weakness. And I've often heard the term, the "burana doc" Got a headache/ Got a diarrhea/ Broken head/ Teeth hurting/ Missing legs = Take a burana! This needs to change.
And sure enough, there are ripple effects, like what the OP posts.
The other side of the story is this. While I personally sometimes think that the best quality of healthcare (including pharmacy) is in the US (and nearly 95% of my family is in medical services there), this is
the horrible other side of that system!
The biggest fear is that humans, especially the political species have a tendency to run on emotions and false charisma! My fear is that the implementation of "sote" etc. will create more havoc than prove beneficial. I.e. the medicare/ medicaid kind of setup! If at all, I'd say your problem with the setup is never the person you face. Take a look at the leadership. And hold them accountable.