Quote:
Originally Posted by Burning Down
WTF, that is insane. I've never heard of that happening here - not to say that it doesn't, but I've always been put through pretty quickly. I know they triage people in the ER of course, but that's insane. A heart attack patient would be taken in right away here. Hell, even I saw a doctor and got an X-ray within three hours when I went to the hospital with a broken finger. I know that there is a huge difference in wait times in urban vs. rural hospitals though, especially here. Some rural hospitals don't even have ERs.
The main problem with waiting times here is that hospitals are often clogged up with hypochondriacs who come in convinced they have the fucking bubonic plague because they sneezed once. More outpatient clinics and urgent care centres are opening up here to help alleviate any congestion.
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If you go to A&E here you have to wait minimum of 1-2 hours and it can take up to 12 hours to be seen. I have had many health issues in the past 8 years and have had to go with Ambulances which tends to get you seen faster (one of the times I had a seizure). I spent many days in the women's unit due to my endless cysts and Endometriosis pain and it took a long time before I got my surgery. Luckily the nurses from the Women's Unit would get me right up to be admitted rather than 3-4 hours in emergency to be then sent to the Women's Unit anyway.
The health services are free, everything is covered (ultrasounds, CT scans, etc) but you have to pay $80 each time you go by ambulance unless you pay $40 a year to be a member.