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| Britain |
| Toothache boy nearly died |
| 2004-11-17 |
| A TEENAGER with toothache ended up fighting for life in hospital — after being turned away by a string of dentists. Peter Owen, 19, was in agony for a week as he tried SIX times to have a tooth out. He was eventually rushed to hospital after an abcess on the tooth swelled so much that it blocked his windpipe. Peter had an emergency tracheotomy — where a breathing tube is inserted through a hole in the throat — and was on life support for two days. Mum Wynn, 47, said last night: "Peter nearly died because there is a shortage of dentists. "It is shameful that someone should be taken to hospital fighting for his life just because of toothache." Peter was not registered with an NHS dentist when he developed raging toothache. Wynn rang NHS Direct who told her there were NO available dentists near their home in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. The nurse who answered suggested the emergency dentist at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl could see him — but not for six days... |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #13 Welcome to the least common denominator, folks. The lefties believe that just because you CAN afford it, doesn't mean you SHOULD be able to get it. Hence, you get health care that is less than that affordable by the least wealthy of your comrades. Unless you come to the good old USA, of course. |
| Posted by: Asedwich 2004-11-17 7:45:00 PM |
| #12 Tony - and the only reason the NHS is 'good for acute stuff' is that it doesn't have competition. If the NHS weren't there for A&E, private hospitals, a la the USA, would be right in there picking up the slack, and doing a much better job of it. IMO, we should be encouraging or sending as many medical professionals as we can to the states to be educated in how their system has left ours so far behind. If the pros get 'converted' it'll be only a matter of time before something actually happpens about it (or they might just not come back, I suppose). |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-11-17 6:51:59 PM |
| #11 For a long long looong time here we've been told that the National Health Service (NHS) is the envy of the world. It is not true. The government is committed to socialised medicine and that is not likely to change. There are private hospitals and schemes that are far better for chronic illnesses. The NHS is ok for acute stuff. Just make sure you stay in a private ward so you don't get MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) - a superbug. And let's not even talk about how much this costs (a lot). |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2004-11-17 6:03:58 PM |
| #10 Why is it necessary to be registered? What? Are you nuts? If you're not registered, you might make choices on your own, you uneducated Bush-voting proletariat. We have a crack staff of experts who know what's best for you. Now then, the dentist can see you on the 18th...of April 2008. |
| Posted by: Dreadnought 2004-11-17 1:25:39 PM |
| #9 My wife spent a couple of weeks 'in hospital' in Scotland when we were stationed there abut 10 years ago. It was an interesting experience to say the least. |
| Posted by: Rawsnacks 2004-11-17 1:04:35 PM |
| #8 Like they say, you think healthcare is expensive now? Wait 'til it's free! |
| Posted by: Dar 2004-11-17 1:04:06 PM |
| #7 Registration? Waiting in agony for six days to get emergency treatment? A toothache that culminates in an emergency tracheotomy and two days on life support??? That's not just disgusting-- it oughtta be a crime. Early last year I had surgery for a hernia. I don't have any fancy health insurance plan, just what my small company employer could afford-- one of those eeeeeeeevil HMOs, don'tcha know. I called my doctor to schedule an initial exam. The exam was that same afternoon. He referred me to a surgeon. Called the surgeon, got an appointment with him for two days later. He says, "Yep, that's a hernia alright," and schedules me for surgery two days later. Total elapsed time: less than a week. Total cost: $97.50-- $25 for the doctor, $35 for the surgeon, $35 for the hospital, and $2.50 for parking at the hospital. Quick, cheap, and competent. I even had my pick from three hospitals, free to choose which one I felt was most convenient. Can someone explain to my why I should prefer socialized medicine? Forget it, I'm not interested. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2004-11-17 12:38:18 PM |
| #6 Peter was not registered with an NHS dentist when he developed raging toothache. "Registered"?? What the....? Why is it necessary to be registered? |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-11-17 11:12:46 AM |
| #5 The poster child for National Health Insurance. And let us all sing the "Internationale"! |
| Posted by: BigEd 2004-11-17 10:50:11 AM |
| #4 It would be instructive for Hillary and Kerry to get their medical and dental treatments there. |
| Posted by: Tom 2004-11-17 10:12:28 AM |
| #3 Universal shitty healthcare or pay-for-your-own outstanding healthcare. Take yer pick, folks. |
| Posted by: lex 2004-11-17 10:12:26 AM |
| #2 Britian has dentists? |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-11-17 10:02:41 AM |
| #1 I'd like to make a snarky comment here, but frankly, I'm speechless. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2004-11-17 10:00:58 AM |