Thank Goodness for the NHS

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On Tuesday I noticed a small lump and some pain behind my ear. Combined with the fact that I thought I had a urinary tract infection and I needed to get a mole checked, I thought it might be a good idea to go and book an appointment at the doctors yesterday to have a bit of an overhaul and deal with everything all at once.

An hour later I was sitting in A&E at the local hospital, with a strong antibiotic prescription for the UTI, an immediate referral for suspected mastoiditis (acute infection of the mastoid bone at the back of the ear) and I’ve been referred to a dermatologist in the next week as the mole ‘needed urgently looking at.’

Not the plan I had for the day.

If it had been what they had initially suspected I would have had to stay in overnight and The Bloke (who had rushed out from work to join me at the hospital) was worried and planning a list of things he needed to pack for me and bring in. However, after a few hours of waiting and then promptly fainting on the lovely doctor who took my blood tests, they decided that there was nothing to worry about – the suspected mastoiditis was most likely to be inflamed lymph nodes after the horrible head cold I had a little while ago and the antibiotics that I had already been prescribed by my GP are strong enough to make everything better.

It’s yet another testament to how bloody fantastic our NHS system is – every single person who saw me, took notes and did tests were incredible, and the entire experience cost me just £8.00 for the antibiotics, something that would have cost me thousands in other countries. I never fail to be in awe of everyone who works for the service and are dealing with the long hours, difficult patients and massive and unnecessary cutbacks.

Perhaps it’s about time that I get my sh*t together and start looking after myself a bit better…

62 thoughts on “Thank Goodness for the NHS”

  1. Totally agree, the NHS is an absolute privilege to have and we are so lucky in this country. We complain about having to wait etc but we have the option to pay and ‘go private’ if we want to be seen earlier and then you find out what the real cost of health treatment is. I’m so glad you are ok

    • Thanks lovely! I saw what paying privately does when The Bloke had his heart op, and I must admit, if I had the money then I would pay it! However, the service the NHS has is incredible considering the huge underfunding!

  2. The NHS is by far away the best thing about our country. So many brilliant people, and although we sometimes moan about waiting times, the work everyone does is wonderful. 🙂

  4. I’m jealous. Not about the crappy stuff your body is doing, but about the NHS. Things are a hot mess over here in the states! They won’t even CONTEMPLATE a single payer system. Can I just move in with you, lol?

  5. How cool would spa days be on the NHS?! In all seriousness though hope those tablets kick the arse of whatever is making you suffer and that you’re back to fighting fit asap.
    Don’t forget some chillflix time too.
    I’m also in great awe of the NHS and without them I wouldn’t be here today.

  9. Our NHS are indeed a wonder… I know after the accident how all our emergency services acted so amazingly! Glad you are OK Susie xxx

  10. That’s brilliant, Suzie! Good to hear they are on top of things! Now as for you getting your sh*t together and looking after yourself, I agree!!!! I was putting off a number of tests for a long, LONG time! I’ve now done 2 of 3 so if I can get my health sh*t together, so can you!!!! *LOL* Cher xo

  15. Please look after yourself Suzie. Wonderful as our NHS is, all medications come with side effects, some nastier than others. Check out the reblog that I posted on 22/3/17 and read one woman’s story. Take care, Blessings Joy x

  17. I considered writing something similar when I was sent to the eye hospital in January. But my problem is still ongoing so it seems odd to write up with no ending.
    Get well soon chic xx

  19. I worked for the NHS for 22 years, and when you know some of the clinicians, they are very caring people. It is just a shame the conditions that some staff are being asked to work in.

  22. That’s scary stuff! I am glad it ended up being nothing! I am always super jealous of people in other countries and how they live somewhere where they are taken care of. I don’t even want to know what all of that would have cost over here. Just to be seen, it’s $35. Crazy.

  23. Don’t feel too bad, Suzie; I have IBS now.
    I feel like a walking bad commercial who spends way too much time in the bathroom doing everything but what blokes normally do in the bathroom…

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