NHS incompetency ?

[My_Teenage_Self]

Er, I can provide some input here!

I've been saved by the NHS a number of times, each being a result of gastic problems from a genetic disease. I'll echo what has been said, they are *chronically* short on resources.

I know this, as I also WORK for a branch of the NHS. It's the 5th largest employer in the world. the budgets that our departments work to, especially when compared to the private sector is remarkably small. yet the services provided, IMO, are very good, in most cases.

Aaaaaand thirdly, I know a little about blood sampling and testing... If the process is unusual (and as You've requested it yourself, I'll expect it is), then the 'experienced' people may simply not be familiar with the correct reagents, preservatives etc. Without more detail, it's hard to say, and it really can be as simple as process error. This will be someone sat at a lab bench, not dropping the sample into a machine.

Hope you get it sorted, but remember, the guys doing the work are human too, and likely, not being paid for the overtime they're putting in ...

 

[Midlife]

Just curious, what genetic disorder are they testing for ?

Most regional hospitals have a genetics department..here's my local one and IRC they have all the tests on site

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/igm/services/ngs/


Shaun

 

[highlandsflyer]

Many of the consultants working 'privately' actually have a basic salary guaranteed by their positions within the NHS. They are updated, trained and underwritten in most ways by the public purse and then take their skills to the market for cash, leaving NHS patients waiting.

We can pay once or pay twice depending on our ability to pay or priorities; but we are very fortunate to have access to high levels of expertise in all areas within the NHS. Were we to have a fully nationalised health care system things might be so much better.

However, as it stands the NHS is not a bad system; evident once you have experienced a few across the globe.

 

[Midlife]

Highlandsflyer

as an NHS consultant I might have to contest that.....

Shaun

 

[highlandsflyer]

Oops, I should have been specific.

Surgeons.

 

[sinky]

In regards to the o.p. the phlebotomist could have checked, quite easily with whoever sent you for the test instead of just guessing or leaving it for the labs to guess.

Alot of NHS staff wouldn't last two seconds in the private sector. Instead of having a belief in providing the public the best service possible, they merely use (abuse) the NHS as their cash cow.

Wait 8 to 12 weeks to see a consultant on the NHS or cough up the readies and see the same consultant whenever you like. Funny that. Sometimes even, I have witnessed private treatment taking place on NHS property, on NHS time, and more importantly on NHS money and resource.

If it was up to me they would be NHS or NOT NHS.

 

[silverclaws]

In Answer to Midlife's question ; mosaicism

In answer to Sinky, the plebotomist's all three so far, ( yes two at one session) were unsure, so checked the standard literature and tried to access the initiator of the request but no chance on that, somehow unobtainable, but they also sought advice from the relevant labs to where the sample was destined in our local hospital and to check that advice, they rang another hospital which came up with a different answer, so a bit of a hotch potch all around. But since, I spent two and a half hours on the telephone , most of it on hold on friday afternoon, seeking to know why there is such a problem with what should be a simple procedure, I find the initiator of the request was wrong and the phlebotomists referring to the NHS literature were right in the first place with what they did, but the specialist at the other end was thinking the samples were wrong and just binning them. I am after their name, as it is clear some training is necessary, as just to think how much NHS money has been wasted so far, not to mention mine.

So given the crap I have had with this simple procedure, I have now managed to get an appointment within a week, not the usual three, as someone is at least understanding of this situation and how the customer is being treated and this time I have the instruction, so will compare with what the phlebotomists are being told and me being true to form, what I was told I have since researched and there understand what is required, assuming who I eventually managed to speak to in the labs where the sample is destined got that information right, I do wonder you know given my experience so far.

 

[Grannygrinder]

.

How many different methods are there of taking blood then?
I've had numerous blood tests for numerous illnesses, admittedly none of them potentially genetic.
I've only ever had blood taken from my arm, the only thing that has varied has been the quantity?

 

[silverclaws]

Here's a good read ;

http://www.brighthub.com/science/medica ... 24934.aspx

Where the different tests and what they are for are described and the all important vacutainer cap colours that seems to be the source of the problem with what I am experiencing.

 

[tintin40]

I wasn't going to bother with this sort of thread. But it's not the NHS that is incompetent but people.

Also one thing to remember is if the NHS employees make an error then it is much easier to get compensation from the NHS than a private hospital.

Oh and the NHS is an excellent idea & system to have much better than the other option of a USA system