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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by The_Resistance on April 20, 2005, at 20:38:46
I can't believe how poor the mental health service is in this country.
I don't know why we put up with it
In some ways we get what we deserve, because were not prottesting or trying to change things.But then its hard to do that if you've got a mental health problem!
The NHS is really unworkable as a system, I wish people in the UK would accept this.
Posted by Nickengland on April 20, 2005, at 20:38:46
In reply to English Psychiatry, posted by The_Resistance on April 20, 2005, at 14:48:29
Totally Agree.
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2005, at 20:38:46
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry, posted by Nickengland on April 20, 2005, at 15:14:32
The USA keeps talking about becoming socialized but I can't see how it would happen. You get free docs and drugs, but not a choice. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by alienatari on April 20, 2005, at 20:38:46
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry » Nickengland, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2005, at 18:12:24
> The USA keeps talking about becoming socialized but I can't see how it would happen. You get free docs and drugs, but not a choice. Fondly, Phillipa
Would it be all that different than it is in Australia? We have the PBS and medicare. Medicare pays for GPS's and usually most of a psychatrist consultation (for me it pays for all of it but it just depends on how much your pdoc charges). Also, you can ask your GP who you want to see. I picked my Doctor. So medication isnt that expensive because of the PBS but Im really freaking out because of the free trade agreement with America. They have been talking about scrapping the PBS and other stuff. Its scary. I dont want an insurance system for meds :(
But anyway, yea its not that great here though either. The Public Psychatric hospitals are a nightmare, the waiting lists for public treatment (even private docs) are long and so on. Its quite annoying.
Posted by jay on April 21, 2005, at 13:38:06
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry » Nickengland, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2005, at 18:12:24
Canada has public healthcare, and is considered some of the best in the world. Yes, there are flaws, but I can see any doctor any time of day as much as I want to and it doesn't cost a cent. The reason we have some longer wait times for certain procedures is because our Federal government is sitting on a surplus of money that *should* go back to the provinces for healthcare, but they refuse to let it go.
IMHO..
Jay
Posted by AuntieMel on April 22, 2005, at 10:29:41
In reply to English Psychiatry, posted by The_Resistance on April 20, 2005, at 14:48:29
For years and years you guys have been known for - and proud of - the ability to 'keep a stiff upper lip.'
So, is it possible after having that so ingrained in minds that it is difficult to *feel* the inability to do this as an illness, rather than a character flaw?
Mental health isn't given parity over here either - for the same reason I suspect.
Posted by Toph on April 22, 2005, at 11:03:38
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry » Nickengland, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2005, at 18:12:24
> The USA keeps talking about becoming socialized but I can't see how it would happen. You get free docs and drugs, but not a choice.
>
I work with many American clients with psychiatric problems who receive no health insurance from their employer, aren't indigent enough to qualify for Medicaid, and the public mental health system is woefully underfunded at the county level. They have no choice either.
Toph
Posted by AuntieMel on April 22, 2005, at 14:43:44
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry, posted by Toph on April 22, 2005, at 11:03:38
You have to get pre-approved, your doc may not be on the right list, the coverage isn't the same, and so on and so on.
If you don't get pre-approved or your doc isn't on the right list the coverage is miserly. At least mine is. And even if my total out-of-pocket is reached and med expenses are supposed to not have any copay that doesn't apply to mental health.
Posted by glenn on April 24, 2005, at 14:48:11
In reply to English Psychiatry, posted by The_Resistance on April 20, 2005, at 14:48:29
Yes you are absolutely right, that is why I went to California and have an American shrink, he sorted me out in one ( 2 hour ) sesson.
Glenn
Posted by gromit on April 25, 2005, at 23:04:11
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry, posted by Toph on April 22, 2005, at 11:03:38
> I work with many American clients with psychiatric problems who receive no health insurance from their employer, aren't indigent enough to qualify for Medicaid, and the public mental health system is woefully underfunded at the county level. They have no choice either.
I went to a county pdoc for a year or so, he was a really strange guy but an ok doctor. The thing that got me was when I stopped taking a med I was supposed to return the remainder so they could give it to somebody else. I was always wondering who, if anyone, had the pills I was taking before me, it kind of freaked me out actually.
From what I've read on the med board my experience with the county might still be a step up from the situation in the UK.
Rick
Posted by Toph on April 26, 2005, at 18:06:20
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry, posted by gromit on April 25, 2005, at 23:04:11
In my county the out-patient mental health budget is used up by March. I'm glad you had a choice Rick. And yes, something is better than nothing.
Toph
Posted by gromit on April 26, 2005, at 22:28:44
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry » gromit, posted by Toph on April 26, 2005, at 18:06:20
> In my county the out-patient mental health budget is used up by March. I'm glad you had a choice Rick. And yes, something is better than nothing.
Oh absolutely, I wasn't complaining, I guess my post did sound a little negative though. This was some years ago, I don't believe they would actually treat me there anymore. My impression is the facility is now a kind of middle point between a "half-way house" and living independantly. I really don't know what my options would be if my insurance went away.
Rick
Posted by Toph on April 27, 2005, at 0:07:23
In reply to Re: English Psychiatry, posted by gromit on April 26, 2005, at 22:28:44
>
> Oh absolutely, I wasn't complaining, I guess my post did sound a little negative though...
>
I didn't take it that way, Rick. Ongoing therapy is expensive I guess. It's never been much of a community priority. The mentally ill don't organize to form a powerful interest group, though there are significant numbers of us.
This is the end of the thread.
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