Health Care in the UK

Oliver and I had the opportunity to experience Health Care in the UK. Oliver started running a high temperature on Tuesday, which did not go down much with medication. Tylenol really did nothing for him. Michael was got home early that day and was sitting in the family room holding Oliver and he threw up all over Michael soon after taking medication. For those who know Michael this could potentially be really really bad, but he handled it like a champ. I called a doctors office at 5pm, who suggested I call NHS direct to talk to a RN. I did and after many many many questions she suggested keeping him cool, providing water and meds etc. He threw up again later that night and by 5pm the following evening his temp was 104.5. I took him to the hospital to see a Pediatrician in Outpatient Peds. No Car, so I took a taxi.

I arrived at 6:15pm and I did not see a Nurse or Doctor until 8:15, when that area of the hospital was closing. They moved us over to inpatient and sent us down for a Chest X ray....meaning they gave us a piece of paper and gave of directions to walk there. All went well.

The windows are open all over the hospital with NO screens. It made for a nice breeze.

They decided to admit him at 9:30pm due to the spiking fevers and then would decide about blood work in the morning. They did give him a cheese sandwich and yogurt since he had not eaten dinner. We shared a room with 2 other families. There could have been as many as 5 children in the room sleeping with their families. You had to pay 1 pound for unlimited local phone calls/TV. We saw a nurse about every 2 hours for a temperature check. They tried to take blood in the morning with no success...it was a little stressful. They decided they did not need to try again. Oliver did really well overall, but he did not quite understand why we were sleeping there. He wanted to go home, but we both slept in the same bed. I could have used a cot, but I think we both felt better sleeping in the same bed.

I talked to a doctor in the morning around 8am and they were supposed to be rounding in the next 2 hours. I finally saw another doctor at 12:30pm. We were just waiting. Luckily Oliver's fever was brought down by meds for the first time in 3 days and he had a burst of energy to play with the toys for a little while. There were play workers there, which is what Michael will be doing during his sabbatical this fall. They played with the kids, provided crafts, made sure the kids had something to play with in their rooms or in the play room, etc. We finally went home at 2pm with the diagnosis of it being viral and to return on Saturday if he is still spiking fevers. He is doing much better, even though he is still running a fever. He has more energy today (Friday).

They served food in a common room for the kids, but the parents could bring it back to the rooms for the kids. I found out afterwards when I talked to my new friend, Sophie, that most people bring their own food/snacks and drinks with them. There was a small kitchen, which I found in the morning to get water for Oliver.

Things just moved a little more slowly. There was a lot of waiting around. The nurses came by from time to time to take temperatures, but that was about it. If you needed something you have to get it yourself or go find a nurse to request it. I told the nurse Oliver needed meds at 4am and she came in around 4:45am with the meds. He threw up in the bed and they came in the room quickly to change the sheets for us. Everyone wears their own clothes. No hospital gowns.

Interesting experience. It did not swing me in favor of socialized medicine. I realize there needs to be a change, but I don't think this is it.