Re: The health service A short visit to my GP in Dublin last February confirmed I had a hernia. A fairly simple operation was required and it should not take long to schedule.
My GP's letter was sent to the hospital. Three weeks later I received an appointment to see a consultant in Tallaght hospital - in mid-June. I've just had the operation in Austria, in October.
My plans for the summer meant I would be away from Ireland from the end of May for one year. Believing the operation was not serious or urgent I went off on a walking trip that lasted two months.
I knew I would be living in Vienna from October on for eight months. I decided to see a doctor once I settled there. Finding an English-speaking doctor was fairly easy. There was no cost involved as I used my European Health Insurance Card, this card has replaced the old E111 form. She referred me to a consultant, telling me to phone to make an appointment to see him. I did this on the Thursday. The receptionist apologised telling me the consultant could not see me the next day and would Monday be okay. Of course, I said, surprised that the appointment was so soon.
The consultant's office was not attached to a particular hospital. At my appointment on the Monday, he referred me to another specialist who would prepare all the blood and organ tests required for the operation. I visited him three days later, and collected all results from him the following Tuesday. I then went back to the co-ordinating consultant. My appointment was for Friday morning. I arrived with all my results and was asked when I would like the operation. As soon as possible, I requested. How does Monday suit you? he asked. Monday, I spluttered, yes, good. He phoned a hospital and made the arrangements, a 10-minute call. I turned up at the hospital on Monday morning and the operation took place on Tuesday morning.
From my first appointment with the consultant it took only two weeks to be admitted to hospital, and it took only a few days to see the consultant. This was not private medical care. This was the normal public healthcare system, and therefore involved no cost at any stage.
For patients using the public healthcare system in Ireland, this speed of treatment is still a dream.
Leslie Gilmour, leslie.gilmour@nuim.ie
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