They don’t. This is how they treat dogs. On a routine check-up my father-in-law’s dog had a suspicious lump. Two days later (at the convenience of the owners) Megan (that’s the dog - a collie) - is in the hospital in Liverpool for ultrasound and biopsies and God alone knows what else. So it’s cancer and that is bad but treatable. She will probably have surgery and perhaps chemotherapy (there was a possibility of radiotherapy by a bloke who also does humans! - A consultant in Liverpool but that looks less likely). The treatment which is apparently state of the art - they had patients from the continent! seems brilliant. The total cost to prolong (it is incurable - but that is our general condition is it not?) that dog’s life by a year or so (maybe more - the tumour was not metastatic according to the ultrasounds) is set. Yes, they gave a quote to not exceed 3 grand and that is doing everything which is moral - the extension of life without suffering. Mostly this shall be paid for by insurance.
My cat is registered at the same vet practice that picked up this (asymptomatic) malady. They are very good. He is also insured (don’t tell him otherwise he shall do questionable things because the biggest vet-bill we had to pay came from him eating already dead mice). He’s looking at me now. He’s looking very high-minded because he’s the only bugger in this gaff with private health-care. Getting him in the box to go down to the vets is amusing mind.
So why aren’t we humans treated so well and indeed so cheaply - because you know I’ve never seen a vet pan-handling so they aren’t entirely doing it out of the love of our dumb cousins. How do I know this? A lad I went to school with who I shall call “Jim” for that is his name got A-Level AAB (this must have been about 1990) but this wasn’t good enough for Vet School but Liverpool University (yes, the same vet hospital as Megan went to) took him for an undergraduate degree in biochemistry. He did very well and got an offer from Liverpool for Vetting on the back of that and a GBP50,000 loan from the bank. Last I saw he runs a very successful vets with his name over the door in Northumberland. Excellent news! He was a good lad and he grafted for it. He always wanted to be a vet because (a) he always loved animals (you should have seen the house - an utter menagerie) and (b) well it’s hardly the worst paid job is it?
So it isn’t just filthy lucre. A while back I had a jackdaw hoping around my shed with a broken wing so I phoned the vets and they told me to “towel” the bird and bring it in. I think they euthanized the poor critter but they treat wild animals for free. Of course they do! Same way if someone phones me for a bit of computer advice and I can do it in a five minute chat I don’t bill them. We are in it for the money but that doesn’t mean we’re extracting the Michael. It’s called doing well by doing good - now at some point later when you need something serious fixing who you gonna call? Not all “services” are provided by the state. There are hordes of us out there who keep things rolling. Yes, we sometimes require payment but then are state employees doing it for free? The best businesses know the value of charity (and no I don’t mean chugging temps every “Comic Relief”). I mean outfits like Aria Tech in South Manchester who have fixed things for me or given advice for nowt on many occasions. You want a computer (or related) and you are in this neck of the woods then Aria will sort you. Even their counter-staff are ultra geeks (the folks back of house make me look like an arts graduate). So unlike PC World! Aria are my regular dealer. And I keep going back because whilst not the absolute cheapest (though they are good on price) they are good people who deserve customer loyalty.
The Aria lads might advise you to go for a different graphics card or RAM or such but they will never utter the words, “extended warranty”.
Aria was set-up way back for bugger all money by an Iranian who had studied in England and really didn’t want to go “home”. And no I don’t mean he scored by setting up a fine business (though he did), he scored by not being shot by the mullahs. The fine business he runs is a bonus over not being dead. Hell, isn’t everything!
Just lost a Siamese to cardiomyopathy diagnosed back in June. My god, the treatment she got (insured, of course) was second to none. No complaints, staff wonderful, facilities top-notch. Even human private medical treatment isn’t that good!
Oh, Julia, this wouldn’t be as bad if I wasn’t being stared at by the moggie. I am sorry for your loss. But I know that one day… I won’t be treated better than as a critter.
Well as a recent ‘customer’ of the NHS a result of private knee operation leading to blood clot etc etc.
In Scottie land the treatment in the hospital I was admitted to was first rate. Having said that the food was absolutely SHITE. but the medical attention was first rate.
I can easily see someone who is a little down, after three days of three NHS ’square’ a day actually wanting to top himself.
My medical treatment was top notch though.
APl,
The NHS did improve under Labour. I mean they hosed money at it but it did improve because some of it inevitably stuck to the wall. The food is dreadful though and bloody hell you do have to wonder about an organisation that can do brain surgery but can’t make a lasagne! I think the real problem is if you’re not articulate and smart and stuff. Or hungry. The number of times I have essentially self-diagnosed and a doc just wrote a script for what I specifically asked for makes one wonder what the hell they do at medical school. Well, when I was a student I shared a house with medics and I can tell you and it ain’t pretty.
I nearly shared another house when I was a postgrad with an actual pediatrician. I didn’t take the room because it was titchy and the only one left. wat shocked me about the medics I knew and was sort of confirmed by this chap (he’d actually worked for NASA!) is the pecking order of specialties and it goes a bit like this:
Peadiatrics is top along with fertility (but not general gynaecology) and aesthetic plastic surgery and of course brains and hearts.
At the bottom is geriatrics because (and this is a quote from a final year medical student) “They stink of piss”. I blame George Clooney. But yeah if your kid has cancer they will see a better medic than if you’re codger with a dicky bladder.
“I think they euthanized the poor critter but they treat wild animals for free.”
I think you’ve just answered why people are afraid of private health care
Not disagreeing with your point however - government as funder but not provider with the individual deciding the provider would be my choice.
NickM, cheers! We can console ourselves with the thought that she had a great life, and an easy death. Would that we could all go so easily.