Almost forgot...
... a little tidbit for all the Yanks that read this blog. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with the National Health System. I love it that Toby gets totally free care, prescriptions and dental until he's 16 and I get the same while I'm pregnant and for a year after the birth. Normally I would pay around six pounds per perscription which is still pretty awesome. And I love it that once we turn 60 and will really start needing health care everything will be free again. If you're in a serious situation the quality of care is usually outstanding. When J had his appendicitis he had a fantastic surgeon and, years ago, when I had a breast lump removed my consultant was the guy who did the world's first double organ transplant!
The times that the NHS drives me crazy is when you have a condition that isn't very 'serious'. Everything is done on a priority basis so if you're not dying you have to wait until you're closer to death before anyone takes much notice. I'm also frequently shocked at the way that doctors are forced to cut corners in order to save money. Yesterday is a great example of this.
When I had my first midwife appointment I was given a little plastic cylinder with a lid and was asked to bring a urine sample to my next appointment so they could check for protein in my wee. OK, fine so far. Yesterday I dutifully turned up with my little vial of wee. You can imagine how much fun it was trying to wee into what is basically a test tube, especially when I had to virtually stand on my head so I could see over my belly. The midwife did the little test then handed the vial back to me. She explained that I should empty it, wash it out and pour boiling water over it then use it to bring in a sample to each appointment. I HAVE TO REUSE THE SAME VIAL EVERY TIME!!
That seems absurd to me. First of all, it doesn't sound very hygenic and who's to say that I'll be able to clean it properly. I'm hardly going to pop it in the dishwasher. What if there's residue from previous wees and I'm misdiagnosed with a problem I don't have? Surely, they could spring for a paper cup rather than paying for fancy plastic tubes with lids. All they do is dip some litmus paper in the wee to test it. Just seems a strange choice to me and believe me I am not relishing the thought of cleaning that vial after every appointment. Yuck.
The times that the NHS drives me crazy is when you have a condition that isn't very 'serious'. Everything is done on a priority basis so if you're not dying you have to wait until you're closer to death before anyone takes much notice. I'm also frequently shocked at the way that doctors are forced to cut corners in order to save money. Yesterday is a great example of this.
When I had my first midwife appointment I was given a little plastic cylinder with a lid and was asked to bring a urine sample to my next appointment so they could check for protein in my wee. OK, fine so far. Yesterday I dutifully turned up with my little vial of wee. You can imagine how much fun it was trying to wee into what is basically a test tube, especially when I had to virtually stand on my head so I could see over my belly. The midwife did the little test then handed the vial back to me. She explained that I should empty it, wash it out and pour boiling water over it then use it to bring in a sample to each appointment. I HAVE TO REUSE THE SAME VIAL EVERY TIME!!
That seems absurd to me. First of all, it doesn't sound very hygenic and who's to say that I'll be able to clean it properly. I'm hardly going to pop it in the dishwasher. What if there's residue from previous wees and I'm misdiagnosed with a problem I don't have? Surely, they could spring for a paper cup rather than paying for fancy plastic tubes with lids. All they do is dip some litmus paper in the wee to test it. Just seems a strange choice to me and believe me I am not relishing the thought of cleaning that vial after every appointment. Yuck.
posted by K @ 10:12 am
2 Comments:
At 3:18 am,
Nikki B said…
Here's an even scarier thought: How do you know you're the first person to use that vial?!?! Do you get to keep it, or give it back for the next pregnant lady??
At 8:47 am,
eBeth said…
oh i never had to use the same vial whilst i was pregnant. i'm sure i would've flipped out! (all my care was based at a hospital due to being diabetic). and what is with the tiny containers - in america you get nice wide mouth ones. my trick was to wee in a tupperware bowl first and then decant into the vial! someone else i know used a ladle!!
Post a Comment
<< Home