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Judith Richards wrote: > > Day clinic must refuse new patients > By Dr Muiris Houston - Medical Correspondent > > October 12, 2000, -- The Mater Hospital's only consultant neurologist > has been > forced to refuse new patients at his out-patient clinic because of > a two-year backlog. oh no not in the united states. We just have insurance companies decide what medical care we need . The ones who can pay for the tests without insurance are not allowed to get some of the tests either. Well u know that would be unfair. <sarcasm> I thought US was capitalist, but I guess only if it benefits an individual then it is 'fair'. A wide range of conditions, including > epilepsy, PARKINSON'S disease and dementia, are treated at the > clinic. > > Dr Tim Lynch took up the Mater post two years ago. He > identified a need for a minimum of two out-patient clinics per > week, but only one was made available because of space > restrictions. > In the States I heard hospitals can not turn away patients. I don't know if that is law or just ethics of medicine. I find that our ER care facilities in Chicago and Cleveland are superb compared to those in Canada and Greece. NOT the physical staff- the facility. In the Grand Cayman Islands the citizens are very caring for the ill and the elderly. In some parts of the United States, hospital bed availability in the specialty wards appear to be a problem. Also,hospital's attempts to make a bigger profit by cutting nursing ( Registered Nurses/ R.N.) staff, thus INpatient care decreases. There just isn't enough Floor R.N.'s. > "One half-day clinic is inadequate. Often the clinic continues > until 8 or 9 in the evening in an attempt to accommodate the > demand. This is unfair on the patients and the staff," Dr Lynch > told The Irish Times. > > The beds set aside for neurology patients in the Mater are > constantly occupied by admissions from the accident and > emergency unit, according to Dr Lynch, further frustrating his > efforts. > > A hospital spokesperson said that there were plans to have a > second clinic in the near future. " Space is a major problem in > the hospital and we are looking for alternative locations to hold > some out-patient clinics." >******************** In the States the hospitals I have been in have short term floors, nursing floors, access clinics, Doc in the Box (slang for suburban emergency locations). Another problem in the States is that the more the Federal government gets involved the more waiting in lines for care, length of time u have to wait to see a doctor, and increase of patients in the emergency room for NON emergencies AND preventative emergencies. In the States the quality of care is there, we just have to give the power (?) back to the physicians and patients and less to the government to what care needs to be administered. I understand that some physicians prices were outrageous and the government tried to control that financial aspect of care. However, now the insurance companies pay based on if medicare would pay whether u are on medicare or not! Also, if the patient finds new of used durable medical equipment for less they are forced to go to a business that takes medicare and insurance in order for the equipment to be possibly covered. Granted if the equipment is used and failed during patient use , some patients would sue whomever because they sold faulty goods and the consumer didn't check out the used equipment before buying it. Why can't the patient submit a claim via the internet or smail? Why can't a citizen sue the government for a patients death due to waiting for them to be approved for mediCAID or medicare services ??? Thank God for the medical staff, businesses, and citizens who are speaking up to get their control back from the government. I know initially people meant well and cared for people and none likes giving up control or power, but what happened in Canada and what is happening in the States is what happens when people attempt to make everything " economically equal" and federal government controlled (communism- total government control). I hope the medical and insurance and the patient sector can work together to avoid major government control. What is happening in socialist and communist countries can happen in the States if the Federal government keeps increasing control over the citizen's finances and life. People are intelligent enough to make their own decisions where to put the money they earned for the future and present. If they aren't and the Federal government is so concerned then educate people with books not political rhetoric. Break the circle. Unfortunately laws are needed due to poor AND rich citizen selfishness of not helping out those in NEED at times. Also, we as humans have to decide for ourselves and accept the outcomes for our choices that we individually made whether the product is a 'need ' or a 'want'. The private companies have to decide whether to balance customers/voters satisfaction with profit or give up more of their control to the government. If ya have a great product and great service ur customers will come back. This goes for ALL businesses. The more government has control the less control the citizen seem to have over their lifestyle. nancy:) Education seems to be the best way out. At least that is what the one of the Nobel prize winners studied and proved. >******************* The Republic has one of the worst ratios of consultant > neurologists per head of population in Europe. With a population > of a similar size, Denmark has 180 neurologists compared to the > Republic's 11. *************** > I don't know of anyone personally who likes paying most of their income to pay what the Danes or any high percentage tax country. You ever hear of a government official not getting proper medical care?? Veterans yes but the ones who make the laws have proper care. ****************** Why do government officials from one of the wealthiest countries in the world come to the U.S. to get medical care? If the government official is wealthy enough to buy a home for 2-4 times it's worth (millions not thousands) then they can certainly afford to hire a medical care team. No they come to the States. I am glad. They are good for our economy in the States and I learn about other cultures. > Over 2,000 Mater Hospital patients had their treatments > cancelled last year according to the hospital's latest annual > report. 1,835 in-patient treatments and 311 day cases were > cancelled. > The Irish Times On The Web > © 2000 ireland.com > -- > Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada > [log in to unmask] > Today’s Research... > Tomorrow’s Cure