Another way to ensure wait times for specialist appointments is to make it harder to get on the wait list in the first place. This is another tactic that has been used for sometime - increase to level of ill-health/disability a person must have to get into the system. Of course this presupposes a person can get into a primary care provider in the first place
Yes, I agree. It took me nearly two years to get on a wait list to see a surgeon for a issue that previously I had a 3 month wait for. I ended up on such strong painkillers that I was forced to resign my job. I looked at going private as I was so desperate, but was told it would cost me $100,000. I finally got my surgery in November 2023, so lucky as I very much doubt that it would be funded today. Now I have been unable to get further work, as my previous role - in Health and Disability - was disestablished.
I can tell that the thought of Simeon and its implications has helped spur you into a flurry of writing activity to aid the anxiety. Oh my Lordy you have provided so much vital knowledge for me today. (Which includes your interview with Bryan Bruce on his Subtrack) After reading these damn cunning manipulations I can identify with three of these having been implemented on myself and husband in the last 12 months. Why is it Doctors don’t come clean on this information like you have? I can now see why complaining can get action. It is a great thing you have done I must spread the knowledge.
During the English premiership with Dr Johnathan Coleman at the helm of health, waiting lists for elective surgery shrank....because under his directive if you weren't operated on within 4 months you simply dropped off the list and were referred back to your doctor. Cynical but very effective in keeping waiting lists down
I have seen this at my district in that same period, but not recently thankfully.
This is the consequence of setting targets as enforceable objectives, rather than using them as diagnostic measure to tell you how healthy your patient flow processes are.
Re the switcharoo to private, do you have any idea why Dr Beaglehole's Christchurch charity hospital has been dropped from the list of those receiving the overload for "elective" surgery?
Another great method of reducing ED length of stay is to classify part of the ED as a separate monitoring or observation area, and then 'stop the clock' simply by moving patients there. It doesn't matter if it's just an area in corridor, marked out as a bed space with tape on the floor; any old place you can squeeze a patient will do.
I’m despairing actually being in this situation, having to wait for months to be seen and the health problems getting worse because of that, it’s so frustrating, and puts such an unnecessary stress on patients
I’m worried Simeon will read this and implement your satirical suggestions as his own bright ideas. Very interesting, and worrying. As was your excellent interview with Bryan Bruce. Thank you for speaking out and giving us the cold hard reality. I have to wonder why other doctors, surgeons and GPS aren’t doing the same. Fear? My own GP stepped down early from the Board of Te Whatu Ora last year. I can only guess why.
So what can be done? Increasing funding by Labour and whatever else they did for 6 years did not work. Is it time that we bit the bullet and stopped being a mini NHS (which is also on its knees) and moved to a model like Australia? A genuine question from a family who does not have private health insurance...
Another way to ensure wait times for specialist appointments is to make it harder to get on the wait list in the first place. This is another tactic that has been used for sometime - increase to level of ill-health/disability a person must have to get into the system. Of course this presupposes a person can get into a primary care provider in the first place
Yes, I agree. It took me nearly two years to get on a wait list to see a surgeon for a issue that previously I had a 3 month wait for. I ended up on such strong painkillers that I was forced to resign my job. I looked at going private as I was so desperate, but was told it would cost me $100,000. I finally got my surgery in November 2023, so lucky as I very much doubt that it would be funded today. Now I have been unable to get further work, as my previous role - in Health and Disability - was disestablished.
I can tell that the thought of Simeon and its implications has helped spur you into a flurry of writing activity to aid the anxiety. Oh my Lordy you have provided so much vital knowledge for me today. (Which includes your interview with Bryan Bruce on his Subtrack) After reading these damn cunning manipulations I can identify with three of these having been implemented on myself and husband in the last 12 months. Why is it Doctors don’t come clean on this information like you have? I can now see why complaining can get action. It is a great thing you have done I must spread the knowledge.
1- they are too busy with work and life
2- they don't want to risk getting sacked
During the English premiership with Dr Johnathan Coleman at the helm of health, waiting lists for elective surgery shrank....because under his directive if you weren't operated on within 4 months you simply dropped off the list and were referred back to your doctor. Cynical but very effective in keeping waiting lists down
I have seen this at my district in that same period, but not recently thankfully.
This is the consequence of setting targets as enforceable objectives, rather than using them as diagnostic measure to tell you how healthy your patient flow processes are.
Unfortunately all too true re the game-able KPIs.
More of a documentary than a satire.
Re the switcharoo to private, do you have any idea why Dr Beaglehole's Christchurch charity hospital has been dropped from the list of those receiving the overload for "elective" surgery?
Another great method of reducing ED length of stay is to classify part of the ED as a separate monitoring or observation area, and then 'stop the clock' simply by moving patients there. It doesn't matter if it's just an area in corridor, marked out as a bed space with tape on the floor; any old place you can squeeze a patient will do.
I’m despairing actually being in this situation, having to wait for months to be seen and the health problems getting worse because of that, it’s so frustrating, and puts such an unnecessary stress on patients
I’m worried Simeon will read this and implement your satirical suggestions as his own bright ideas. Very interesting, and worrying. As was your excellent interview with Bryan Bruce. Thank you for speaking out and giving us the cold hard reality. I have to wonder why other doctors, surgeons and GPS aren’t doing the same. Fear? My own GP stepped down early from the Board of Te Whatu Ora last year. I can only guess why.
Simeon will literally be taking notes from this.
I won’t sleep tonight 😳. Like all good satire - very close to the truth unfortunately
You're so right.
So what can be done? Increasing funding by Labour and whatever else they did for 6 years did not work. Is it time that we bit the bullet and stopped being a mini NHS (which is also on its knees) and moved to a model like Australia? A genuine question from a family who does not have private health insurance...
Heavens to Betsy! Your Follows and your comment suggests you'll be happier following yet another antivax site on Twitter. Farewell.