28 thoughts on “De Thursday Papers

  1. Shayna

    1,500 women affected by Cervical Screening Tests in Ireland. 450,000 women in the UK may have been misled by breast screening results, due to a computer glitch? I had my first mammogram last year, in Belfast – I’d just turned 50. Despite the ordeal of having each of my breasts, effectively clamped to a rostrum camera, and x-ray pics taken, I couldn’t have the pics forwarded to me for a second opinion. I was simply notified by post that I didn’t present with cancerous tissue, they’ll see me in three years, I was informed. 2,500 neurology patients in Belfast may also have been misdiagnosed under the “care” of Dr. Watt. It seems that someone has spotted a wildfire, question is, how to get it under control.

    1. Lush

      Here in France, after the mammogram, and usually an ultrasound too, they sit you down in front of the images and explain them to you. You are given the file and the written report and you then bring it to your GP, gynie or oncologist yourself. You are in the loop all the way. The same with smears and colon cancer checks, the results come to you as well as to your doctor.

      1. david

        Amazing In France Irish people cannot use their European health card
        Had to get a colonoscopy a few years ago
        Card refused and before I even could get it done had to hand up 2 grand
        When I got home the HSE refused to reimburse me

        1. SOQ

          They can if they are resident there over 3 months, just like all other EU citizens. What did they find btw? Apart from a load of poo I mean.

          1. david

            Actually they ensure your bowls are well discharged
            What a disgusting piece of work you are
            Bet you would of loved me to have a nice big cancer growth there

    2. SOQ

      That applies to more than screening in the north Shayna, to get a second opinion on anything you have to pay for the tests too. The Watt case is bringing that ridiculous situation into sharp focus at the moment. A cynic might say it is to limit the liability of the NHS and/or prevent the growth of private health care.

      1. Cian

        It is interesting that you say “A cynic might say it is to [..] prevent the growth of private health care.”
        Immediately below your comment “Kay” is deriding private health care and how the whole medical profession is interested only in money.

        Private Healthcare: Damned you do and damned if you don’t.

        *ninja edit – I read further down and the consensus seems to be that public screening is good! phew!

        1. SOQ

          There is a hostility towards private health care in the north, especially from NHS professionals, hence the reluctance to release what should be patient property. In the areas where it operates, private is great, if everything goes according to plan and if you can afford to pay for it. Two big ‘IFs’.

          The NHS may not be the most efficient means of health care provision either mind. I don’t know a heap about it but from what I hear others say, European style coupon based systems tend to produce better results. I personally don’t have strong views either way.

      2. Shayna

        @SOQ I was talking to a neighbour today who recounted a story from his husband (yes, that’s right, his husband) who works as night manager at The Culloden Hotel, anyhoos he was talking to one of the guests whose husband had died following a referral to Dr. Watt, who failed to diagnose a brain tumour. The lady went on to mention Christ, and it was perhaps, God’s will that he was taken from her, she didn’t blame Dr. Watt. Christians, whatwith, “It was God’s will, etc..” – Jesus, give me strength already! (I’m a Catholic Atheist – the inverse Mel Gibson variety).

  2. Kay

    The whole medical profession here is interested in one thing. MONEY. private preferred over public. heads rushed through the surgeries in minutes for extortionate fees.

    1. Martco

      that’s the way of the world now Kay..
      greed only occasionally interrupted by the odd pocket of socially minded & vocational people

      you can be sure the trough dwellers will ensure Tony’s safe passage to pension heaven, just watch

      1. SOQ

        Private doctors have been milking the public system for a very long time. It is only of recent times that there have been any rules put in place to curtail such. The reason why nation screening programmes are so important in ROI is because a certain section of people cannot afford to access such tests without them.

        Private health care is a very patchy, inefficient and expensive means of providing healthcare but once it takes hold, unless there is a clear political consensus, it is near impossible to avoid.

        1. Frilly Keane

          National Screening is more about improving the general health of the whole population
          and does have a good impact over all

          so in all this we still need to maintain the screening programmes

          1. SOQ

            Absolutely. I doubt if there is a medic on the island who would disagree with you there. Apart from the suffering saved, in the longer term it is very cost effective.

  3. SOQ

    Local elections in England today, UKIP wipeout predicted. It will be interesting to see if local issues boosts Labour or immigration and/or Brexit lifts the Tories.

    1. Martco

      Jan Molby was
      but it didn’t stop him putting a ball on a sixpence 50 yards away

    2. The Ghost of Starina

      First he was Fit Freddie Thompson, then he was Fit Fat Freddie Thompson, until finally, he became Fat Freddie Thompson

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