Pay for the pot?

[Jules]

Originally Posted by Richie(2)

Its a multi faceted argument - should the cost of a "self inflicted" sporting injury be borne by the sufferer or NHS or should all care be state provided if that is the system in force.

so if you make divers pay for decompression treatment then it is only fair to make smokers pay for their heart and lung injuries, and drinkers pay for their liver damage repairs...... it's a slippery slope.

seriously we have national health service for which we pay a fortune to have health care available free at point of delivery. Given that we already pay for it through taxation we should not have to pay twice.

Jules

[Doug Parker]

After my first go in the pot, i was chatting to one of the technicians about the cost of my treatment. He reckoned it was about £50/52.000. How much would your insurance cost you to cover that charge.

[Mr T.]

OK, imagine the uproar if an AIDS/HIV sufferer was to be informed that he/she had to (off the bat) pay for any and all treatment?

The cost to the NHS/UK tax-payer to treat HIV/AIDS far outways any annual treatment to divers in pots and I'm not about to start objecting to any poor sod who needs the 24 various pills a day to 'contain' HIV! Why would I? It's a recognised and legitimate condition - regardless of how it was come by.

Some members of this board (currently no longer with us due to their own fiducuary malfeasance) 'enjoyed' three trips to the pot within 18 months, due to their, ahem, 'style' of diving. I still wouldn't expect them to be turned away at a pot, even given their repreated and self-induced fuckwittage.

The NHS can not turn round (unless under political pressure from the gov't of the day to do so) and begin to be selective about those conditions it choses were/are/might be 'self-inflicted'.

NHS Doctor in an A&E to petient: "Sorry, you left your house this morning - it's YOUR fault you got knocked-over; don't come crying to us..."

[Driftwood]

Originally Posted by Bren Tierney

The NHS can not turn round (unless under political pressure from the gov't of the day to do so) and begin to be selective about those conditions it choses were/are/might be 'self-inflicted'.

Well, George Best got a liver transplant.....

But now GP's can turn around and refuse to do out-of-hours or house calls?

[chrisch]

I read (so it might be wrong) that about 25 percent of people do not bother to turn up for appointments.

I would suggest that charging people for the second appointment is the answer. Turn up for first and its free, second time its £50, third time £100 etc.

Emergency treatment (inc DCI) is and should be free - no appointment needed!!!

Long live the NHS - don't let Liam Fox anywhere near it......

Chris

[Drmike]

Hey does the NHS pay for PFO tests??

Buddy of mine got bent yesterday on the Repulse, took a chamber ride today, full resolution, but we are starting to think he has a PFO cos he keeps getting hits on conservative dives with associated skin rashes.

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Drmike

Hey does the NHS pay for PFO tests??

Not as far as I am aware.

Buddy of mine got bent yesterday on the Repulse, took a chamber ride today, full resolution, but we are starting to think he has a PFO cos he keeps getting hits on conservative dives with associated skin rashes.

How many hits before he started to think something was wrong? 'Keeps getting hits' makes me wonder...

Adrian

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Drmike

Hey does the NHS pay for PFO tests??

Buddy of mine got bent yesterday on the Repulse, took a chamber ride today, full resolution, but we are starting to think he has a PFO cos he keeps getting hits on conservative dives with associated skin rashes.

If you can get referred then yes. If not you have to pay. The BSAC medical guy Peter Wilmshurst (spelling? sorry doc.) is a good start point or a specialist diving doctor. Your friend sounds as if he should get a favourable look in.

My missus has migraines and we managed to get her tested free (clear BTW).

Make sure you get the proper test, most doctors/hospitals haven't a clue. We lived in the catchment of North Middlesex. They were not very good but got there in the end.

After the test one of the idiot doctors retorted "waste of money". Sadly, my missus doesn't have a big gob like me or that prat would have had a dusting down. Compared to the cost of helicopter recovery and pot treatment the echo cardiogram is a very cheap test. Its that twattish sort of thinking that makes the NHS expensive - preventative treatment doesn't often get done.

Shout and scream for it - its your right - and don't take any crap from the many people that do not understand the significance of the PFO.

Chris

[Drmike]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

Not as far as I am aware.

How many hits before he started to think something was wrong? 'Keeps getting hits' makes me wonder...

Adrian

So far this year hes had three minor hits all the same MO and all following very conservative dive profiles.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Drmike

So far this year hes had three minor hits all the same MO and all following very conservative dive profiles.

While researching the PFO stuff for the SO I found a report from a young woman who had qualified as PADI OWSI and had a lot of hits. She had a PFO and was "cured" after its closure.

I would strongly advise your friend to get a check up - pay if you really have to.

Chris