My doc orders an ultrasound because of severe pains I’m having. One week goes by, two, three, four and five weeks and still no appointment. I called my doc’s office this morning and was told that it’s a three to four month wait TO GET A FUCKING APPOINTMENT for this ultrasound. This is fucking ridiculous. And you know what I was told? You’re in pain? Tough shit. I’m sure there are hundreds of people in the same boat, some with life-threatening illnesses and this is the shabby treatment you get? Do I have to go to fucking emergency, clog up that overtaxed system to get something done? Looks like. Thanks, you soulless bastards.
This article appears in Feb 14-20, 2008.
Look, it sucks that you have to wait 4 months and up to get an appointment. So does everyone else who needs the same procedure. These ridiculous wait times are a very serious problem with the health care system, but don’t go blaming the people in the system for your wait. Aside from the person who told you “tough shit” health care workers are not “soulless bastards”. And I suspect that the “tough shit” comment was probably put to you a little more tactfully.Everyone in the system is just as frustrated as you are about the problems. There have been several good reports put out that describe how to fix the problems but the government does not fork over the necessary funds or implement the plans needed to fix things. Direct your bitch at them, they are the only ones who can fix the problem, but be prepared to pay the taxes needed to generate the revenue for it.
And yet, people don’t have a problem contributing to the multi-million dollar salaries of boys playing games, hockey for instances.
Good point Cranky. I am always amazed at how easy it is to separate people from their money when it comes to escapism and celebrity, but when asked to pay taxes it’s all bitching and moaning about the government with their hands in our pockets.
I understand the government is supposed to chuck in some cash for orthodics and diagnostic services but I really wonder how much of that will be funneled into adminstrative salaries and settling labour contracts. I suspect a two-tier system is well on its way to becoming a reality in N.S.
I certainly hope not TTFN. I can never wrap my head around how people can think 2-tier is a good solution to our health care problems. If you can find the doctors and equipment and facilities to operate a private clinic, why the heck would you not just put those resources on the public system. Well, I suppose if you are wealthy enough to afford private health care it might seem like a good idea, might as well go overseas to get a stolen kidney too since ethics are out the window.
Hey stupid ass why not be greatful its not for something serious like cancer or something, besides that be greatful you got free health care the USA doesn’t. Lastly if all you have to do is bitch cause you have to wait then think of all the people in the USA that doesn’t have a doctor or a way to see one! be greatful for what you got! bitch
Christ, Is it really it necessary to call the OP a ”stupid ass” and a ”bitch” Ginger? It seems to me part of the reason why he or she is so upset about the wait time is because of the fear it COULD be something serious, like cancer! Although I agree with Miles and Cranky, I can still understand why this person is frustrated. Time can be precious in situations like the OP’s!
God, Ginger, get a grip! You don’t know whether this person has something life-threatening or not. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is not to know what’s wrong with you? My spouse has been waiting for over two years for a diagnosis of a condition that involves chronic pain 24/7. I’ve had to deal with that and the depression this has caused. Your remarks are callous and show a remarkable lack of immaturity.
Please don’t use the emergency as a shortcut to getting what you want. My Dad is about 6 months away from finding out if he has cancer or not and the thought of people using our limited health care funding in a wasteful way is not that pleasing thought at the moment. Suck it up like everyone else.
I’m sorry to hear about your dad, cranky. I agree, the emergency system is already full of people who shouldn’t be there, clogging it up and overworking the already exhausted staff won’t help one bit.
Unless of course his situation changes and he needs to be in the Emergency. That’s my biggest fear with long wait times, is that something that could be solved easily gets worse by the time you finally get to your appointment. And anyone interested in this issue might want to check out an article called “public solutions to health care wait lists” by Michael Rachlis to get a good overview of why wait times are so long. And for those with loved ones on waitlists, the department of health posts a wait times list for the province and you can sometimes move to shorter lists if you are willing to travel.http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/waittimes/
To the OP: I just checked the link I gave in my last post and teh ait times for halifax for ultrasounds is 102 days. It’s 61 iin Dartmouth and only 15 in Middleton and 20 inTruro. I have never had occasion to jump wait lists before, but if it is possible for the OP to do this, I really think his doctor should have made him aware of this possibility. There are some pretty big differences in wait times throughout the province.
Those wait times are horrendous! It makes one wonder how many people have died unnecessarily waiting for tests. This information made me positively ill.
WOW…This sounds shockingly familiar, I’m a bit freaked right now…This same thing happened to me last year around this time, crazy pains in my abdomen which turned out to be gall stones. 4 mos. is a standard wait time (not acceptable at all!). Call the ultrasound Dept. and ask to be put on a cancellation list, so if someone cancels their appointment you will be called to come in; you may have to change your plans at a moments notice but you might get in sooner. Yes this is a health system SNAFU but it is politically caused, the health workers can only do so much with the staff, equipment & money allotted and BTW emergency will not help you in this case (I’m speaking from experience). YET MORE APPALLING are the wait times to actually have surgeries; after you get the ultrasound and are diagnosed. I hope your life is not in danger BUT if you have a serious illness you are more likely to be “bumped” ahead in the surgery line-up. …And hey GINGER WTF??? You never know what the heck you might find when you go through a procedure like this, I went through the same speil (at this time) last year and my ultrasound showed a positive image of gall stones…oh, and a softball sized tumour on my kidney that was on the brink of rupturing. Don’t shoot from the cuff if you have no clue about what you are talking about.Also, “Hurting & Pissed” if you are looking for any advice, leave a post on here and I’ll do my best to get in contact with you, if you are going through what I went through you’ll need it!
JamesK also raises a good point. Part of the reason wait times get elongated is beacause people cancel and they can’t find someone in time to take that slot. That time can never be regained, so getting on cancellation lists might ultimately help to reduce wait times for everyone.
ok back to my orignal point, i’m sorry this individual is in pain, my mom has fibromaylgia and i know what pain is for her, but at least health care is optional to all people..we don’t have to pay like our american neighbors or rely on free clinics. i know our health care system isn’t the best but i am thankful i can have medical attention when needed.
That’s our “health care” system for you. This is what we get to be proud of for our purely public health care system… too few doctors, too few technicians, too little equipment, waiting lists that are months or years long, and if we do have the equipment and staff to run it properly, is 3 generations older than anywhere else on the continent.When will people in this country wake up an realize the only way to solve these problems is a private public partnership? Until that happens, get used to the wait times… its only gonna get worse with those retiring baby boomers on the way!
Oh that, and 55% of our income going to taxes to pay for the goddman thing, jesus
http://saturdayfreeclinic.blogspot.com/ may help. Also, http://www.hfxcap.ca/ has some doctors on their side, those doctors may be more helpful. What do you think of herbs? Do internet searches, visit health food stores, let them know that you do not intend to buy anything at the moment, let them answer your questions regarding what would be best for you. Visit several, note down prices, make comparisons. Good Luck, :)!