Comments on: Living can be fatal

By: Grandad

Grandad — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:58:28 +0000

In this country, there are basically two options: You take out private health insurance or you make sure you stay healthy.

And that is exactly the way our [obese] Minister for Health wants it.

[I wonder would they operate on her because of her weight??]

By: robert bourne

robert bourne — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:20:03 +0000

sounds like Canada…… Big Brother health comes to a town near you……

By: steph

steph — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:41:53 +0000

I agree – that programme was outrageous.

Almost as outrageous as the HSE’s latest ‘freeze’ on staff recruitment.

And if you live in Tullamore, the HSE will tell you “The hospital has already seen TOO MANY patients this year so – TOUGH LUCK and GOODBYE!”.

Another cost-saving tactic is to keep the waiting lists really long in the hope that you’ll die before you get to see the doctor.

So much for PCness!

By: Baino

Baino — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:16:20 +0000

I have private health cover and so much insurance I could convalesce in the Marriott! (and I pay more – a lot more – because I smoke!)

But seriously, ClareBear was severely asthmatic as a child and often admitted through casualty. Unintentionally, I never told them that we had private cover on the first visit . . .but I mentioned it on the second . . .she received the same care, went into the same 8 bed ward both times. First time . . free . . .second time $2,000! No room service in sight . . .If you’re public here and want ‘elective surgery’ (which I might add includes, arthritic conditions, hernias, varicose veins and other non emergency procedures) there’s a waiting list as long as your arm . . .money talks – stuff the hypocratic oath!

By: Grandad

Grandad — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:28:20 +0000

Nick – Nurses and doctors obviously will have to be excluded from treatment. They are surrounded by bad health.

George – Isn’t it strange how waving a few Euro under their noses makes you suddenly into a svelte non-smoker?!!

Grannymar – Baseball bat. Much more reliable.

By: Grannymar

Grannymar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:16:03 +0000

So the answer is: tuck your PC under your arm next time you see the Dr!!!!

By: George

George — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:55:37 +0000

Heh, Don’t kid yourself Grandad, this does happen here, I had a doctor refuse to prescribe medication for a chest infection a few years ago, because I’m overweight and I smoke.

Strange how he changed his tune when I told him he wasn’t getting paid after calling me a fat smoker.

I get his point the chest infection was prolly not helped by my smoking but FFS Heroin Junkies and alcoholics can get FREE help with there addiction, can a smoker or an obese person get the same help?

It’s a great message to be sending out, “Shoot up and drink yerself into liver disease and we’ll help ye out but if ye think we’re gonna use any of the vat payments for all those cigerettes or food to help ye, you can F*** right off”

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:42:25 +0000

My sentiments entirely, Grandad. Where does this ludicrous policy end? What about nurses who’ve done their backs in lifting patients? Can’t do anything for them, obviously, they shouldn’t have picked such a high-risk occupation.

By: Grandad

Grandad — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:36:54 +0000

If they didn’t treat me, I’d beat the cr*p out of them. Then I’d sue them.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:28:14 +0000

Grandad,

You are safe – you are Irish and you have a beard, that puts you safely inside the PC favourites camp. If they didn’t treat you, you could allege discrimination.