NHS treatment of old people

[Saint in Paradise]

I have been asked a question by a friend who lives in the U.S.A. about how good or bad

treatment in the NHS is for people over the age of 60. His major concern is about treatment

for heart problems or waiting time for surgery on a tumour.

 

As I of course no longer live in the UK I would appreciate honest replies and please remember

this is the lounge not the muppet section so no suggestion of euthanasia .

 

Thanks

 

He is NOT an ex UK citizen he is a born and bred American, see my post below please.

Edited 13 June, 2009 by Saint in Paradise
Clarification

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

So, he has turned his back on the UK but when it suits him he wants to return and take advantage of our free Healthcare.

 

You pays your money and you takes your choice. I suggest he gets his treatment in the US and stop trying to milk a system he obviously chose to leave.

[TopGun]

If you are prepared to work with the system, it's probable that it will help your old rellies. Recent experience of this. Packed Nana off last month at 91.

[Saint in Paradise]

So, he has turned his back on the UK but when it suits him he wants to return and take advantage of our free Healthcare.

 

You pays your money and you takes your choice. I suggest he gets his treatment in the US and stop trying to milk a system he obviously chose to leave.

 

 

SORRY DSM I was not clear enough, he is a genuine born and bred American and has only visited

England twice in his 70 year lifetime.

 

He has been told that the U.S. wants to introduce a system like the NHS but is

concerned because he has heard that people over 60 or so can't get certain NHS

treatment because of their age and would like some confirmation or denial that

this is in fact true.

[mack rill]

Its OK as long as you are working and paying in, or are of a working age with the possibility of you could contribute,,,,,,As soon as you reach the magic figure where the government have to pay you, They would be ever so grateful if you could toodle pip of there books a bit half sharpish:cool:

[Saint in Paradise]

So, does anyone have some experience of how the NHS treat older people please ?

[St Landrew]

So, does anyone have some experience of how the NHS treat older people please ?

 

People's experience seems to be uneven. My Mum, who is 94 and still going strong, if a little bit skitty, had her broken hip replaced at 92. She had loads of convalescence, and was pretty damn well looked after. Her twin sister, who puts up with the pain in her hips, may have missed the boat. But then she is of the generation [as is my Mum] who doesn't ever ask for help even if they desperately need it.

 

My brother-in-law, who had a super painful knee, due to work related wear and tear, was told by the NHS that he'd need a replacement which would mean an almost complete replacement joint. I did some research on the net, and there was some state-of-the-art surgery being done in the US and Germany [iIRC]. Then I found a private hospital near Bath willing to do the surgery, and they had links to Southampton General Hospital, who then said they could do the surgery. However, all this only made possible after my brother-in-law presented the researched evidence of the new technique and material replacement to Southampton General Hospital. Prior to that, they simply didn't believe or know of any other techniques but their own.

 

So the moral of the story is... the NHS mean well, but you may have to bring them up to speed.

[Smirking_Saint]

It's bad enough for the under 60's:smt090

[tpbury]

I have been asked a question by a friend who lives in the U.S.A. about how good or bad

treatment in the NHS is for people over the age of 60. His major concern is about treatment

for heart problems or waiting time for surgery on a tumour.

 

As I of course no longer live in the UK I would appreciate honest replies and please remember

this is the lounge not the muppet section so no suggestion of euthanasia .

 

Thanks

 

He is NOT an ex UK citizen he is a born and bred American, see my post below please.

 

I'd guess that most of the 'customers' of the NHS are over 60 and will represent an ever increasing proportion as would be the case in US.

 

If the US scheme is aimed to ration treatment based on scarce resources for increasing demand then I'm guessing treatment will be allocated on a 'best outcome' basis - which is really the case for the NHS though it is constantly denied. Therefore it's unlikely that a 94 year old with advanced cancer would get brain surgery, but an otherwise healthy 60 yr might get seen.

 

After massive investment (something like 25% of GDP (might have made that up but a big chunk of £B) over the last 5 years has meant that it's normal to not have to wait more than 4 months for hospital treatment - I've certainly witnessed this in my family.

 

It would take a massive amount of money and political will to implement this in the US but they could make a success of it I suppose. BTW, the facilities and attitude of staff is still crap in my experience, but at least there's now a possibility of acccessing services.

[skintsaint]

It's bad enough for the under 60's:smt090

 

You realise it isnt that bad when you dont have it no more!

[Smirking_Saint]

You realise it isnt that bad when you dont have it no more!

 

Fair point well made

[bridge too far]

I've got mixed views on how older people are treated here. On the one hand, my mother received exemplary treatment for both diabetes and leukaemia, the latter involving drugs that cost £30K a year.

 

But, on the other hand, her GP gave her painkillers for a painful neck when it turned out she'd got degenerative arthritis of the spine. This resulted in her gradually losing all feeling and movement in her arms and legs. It was only picked up when she was admitted to hospital for a separate problem. It's as if the GP thought 'well, you're 83, of course you're going to have aches and pains'.

 

Bearing in mind that people of her generation treat doctors like gods and hate to complain, I think its useful if they have an advocate, prepared to stick up for them.

 

I'm old too but I am more than happy with the service I get from the NHS - not that I use it very often. But it does offer me lots of screening which is reassuring.

 

I think President Obama is looking to change the US healthcare system, isn't he?

[Saint in Paradise]

Thank you to all, I have sent your replies to my friend in the U.S.