UK-Wait 80 Weeks for MRI

[HagiaSophia]

When the Government runs “socialized medicine”:

"…A HOSPITAL told a road accident victim that she would have to wait a year and a half for an NHS brain scan, but could have the procedure done privately at the same unit in two weeks, The Times has learnt.

In a case that highlights the crisis in diagnostic tests, King’s College Hospital, London, warned Rachel King that, because of “heavy demand”, the MRI scan that her consultant had sought could be delayed for 80 weeks.

But a handwritten note at the end of the letter gave a telephone number for the hospital’s “self-pay” private clinic, where she could have the procedure in two weeks for £983.

Ms King’s case is the starkest example yet of widespread delays in diagnostic tests across the health service. One in five trusts has waiting times of more than a year for MRI scans, and two in five have waits of more than six months.

A quarter of trusts said that 25 per cent or more of their scanning capacity was not used but lack of staff and resources prevent increased usage.

timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C2-1659149%2C00.html

 

[David_Paul]

There are as many MRI machines in western Pennsylvania than in all of Canada.*.

Isn’t socialized medicine great?

 

[Philip_P]

You know, it’s not difficult to come up with horror stories about the U.S. medical system either.

The problem with anecdotes is that they’re often pushed forward as representative, when often they are not. A few isolated incidences does not amount to a systematic critique of a system.

Besides, the UK is hardly a good model for universal healthcare. A better model would be France or Canada (or even the Veterans hospitals and healthcare facilities here in the US).

 

[David_Paul]

America does it too

The Clinton excuse.

What criminals and con-men call a “reversal”.

S.L.O.P.–Standard Liberal Operating Procedure.

sooooooo predictable. On everything. One knows whenever another country or a liberal is shown in a bad light the Pavlovain response by liberals will be to point out that “somebody else is just as bad!!!”

Arf…arf…

 

[Philip_P]

David_Paul:

America does it too

The Clinton excuse.

What criminals and con-men call a “reversal”.

S.L.O.P.–Standard Liberal Operating Procedure.

sooooooo predictable. On everything. One knows whenever another country or a liberal is shown in a bad light the Pavlovain response by liberals will be to point out that “somebody else is just as bad!!!”

Arf…arf…

You do realize, of course, that one could replace “liberal” with any ideological label in your response without making the slightest difference in its validity? Simply bashing your ideological opponents might be fun, but it doesn’t really advance discussion. Why not try articulating what you feel are the strengths and weakenesses of different health care systems rather than simply impugning all who don’t share your ideological biases?

 

[HagiaSophia]

Philip P:

You do realize, of course, that one could replace “liberal” with any ideological label in your response without making the slightest difference in its validity? Simply bashing your ideological opponents might be fun, but it doesn’t really advance discussion. Why not try articulating what you feel are the strengths and weakenesses of different health care systems rather than simply impugning all who don’t share your ideological biases?

In all candor, perhaps you should take your own advice — your statements of which are better models, etc. is simply your opinion, not facts at all. And as far as contributing, your constant critiquing the posts of others aren’t what I’d call “contributing”…just a thought.

 

[David_Paul]

Advances in technology, the debasement of the legal profession (in the USA) and aging populations mean all the medical care one may want or require cannot be provided. Rationing is a given. Canada does it by waiting lists and not providing services at all. the UK is mixed and does allow private insurance. The USA is also mixed. How much rationing should be done by cost and how much by denial of service is the question.