General Hospital versus Private

[Poppy]

Did you have all these checks for Diabetes at the General Alewfin as in our experience you had to wait a few weeks for a CT scan which I don't think is normal procedure anyway for Diabetes? When my husband was first diagnosed with Diabetes his blood sugar levels were so dangerously high that I reckon Dr Nikos saved his life but after that we always had to remind him to check blood pressure and when blood tests were due. He had one eye test but maybe that was his fault for not following further tests up. He was never sent to a dietician or a podiatrist both of which he has regular checks here.The first time he had blood tests in the UK the Doctor changed his medicine and since then his blood sugars are consistently lower and he is much healthier. He sees the Podiatrist,diabetic nurse and dietician on a quarterly basis and bloods are also taken quarterly. His eye test for diabetes is annual.

[JimX]

I have unfortunately been Diabetic type 2 for 12 years under Dr. Nicos, he never so far checks my blood pressure, never checked my eyes or feet as of course is the normal procedure in most countries, I get my own blood tested (apart from my own daily blood testing) at a private local establishment as the General they lost two of my blood test results, aftercare is certainly not good here, lack of real care is surprising, Pafos needs another modern hospital now, (I remember the very old General up in the old town) a New General, this will never happen in my lifetime unfortunately, choice is to go back to the UK and the NHS, or not, my case it's not, wild horses and all that, now where is that blood test kit!

Good health.

[trevnhil]

When you have a private blood test who decides what they are testing the blood for ?.
And when you get the results who decides whether the readings are good or bad?

[Royal]

When you have a private blood test who decides what they are testing the blood for ?.
And when you get the results who decides whether the readings are good or bad?

You ask for the tests you want. The results have your level for that particular test(s) and beside it is the range of 'acceptable' or normal levels, so you can see immediately if you are under or over the norm or expected range.

For example, the test for diabetes is blood sugar or glucose. The range is 74-106. My last test was 107 which was high but not worryingly so...

[trevnhil]

Thanks for the answer Royal..

[Kili01]

Some elderly friends and neighbours have not got private health insurance here as they considered that the cost was too great. They used the pay as you go system instead.
This worked well for them as they were both in reasonably good health when they arrived.
But now they are in their 80's and the husband had a stroke recently. He wanted to go to Iasis. They have nothing but praise for the way that the hosputal has looked after him as they coped with the stroke well and his subsequent operations . The nusing care there was also very good, But then when he went home following the stroke unfortunately he developed severe abdominal pains. It turned out that he had appendicitis. So had an immediate operation to remove it. Then another one was required a few days later. These two ops plus the anaesthetics necessary have resulted in him being very weak. He has now been in Iasisl off and on for 3.5 weeks, hoping to be discharged home this week end. But now he is worried how much his hospital bill will be. Perhaps it would have been worth paying for health insurance after all.
They wouldn't consider going to the General as his wife an ex- theatre nurse, took one look at it and was horrified by what she could see.
Dee

[memory man]

from Wikipedia...........

Paphos General Hospital.

When opened in 1992 it was considered one of the best medical centers in the Middle East.

Full article

[memory man]

(I remember the very old General up in the old town) .

Where exactly was the old General Hospital in the old town?

[darrow]

our first experience at A and E, was, medically, looked after very well. when we arrived a woman was "cleaning" the floor, no sweeping, and very dirty water with a very dirty mop, just around the middle sweeping the bits up with her filthy mop. i have to say, it is looking a lot cleaner recently, although shabby. The only downside is the personal care, very basic to non existent. the medical care and abundance of tests are good. they are trying to improve the whole hospital, but haven't bitten the bullet yet, and computerised the system fully, which would free up a lot of time, once the staff were up to speed with the computers. there are also a lot more patients using the hospital than was probably ever envisaged when it was built, although there aren't so many visit it now they have to pay! The car park has just been refurbished to a decent standard, but some people still park anywhere even when there are plenty of spaces. My sister informs me that in U.K. she cannot get into her Doctor, and people are queueing outside the surgery early in the morning, but still don't get an appointment! so, we are satisfied with the General overall, i would hate to go private and then worry about the cost of the treatment and aftercare. it cannot help with recovery if that is on your mind. we wouldn't be using private in theU.K. , so see no reason to do it here.

[LouiseCastricum]

(I remember the very old General up in the old town) .

Where exactly was the old General Hospital in the old town?

Opposite New York Sweets (where the tax offices are). I still call it the Old Hospital Road.

[memory man]

Thank you Louise.

I never knew that.

We've only lived here 17 years, and I see the New General
opened in 1992.

[trevnhil]

I think some reasons to use the private system have been hinted at already.
The General Hospital although only 15 years old is shabby almost beyond belief and was like that when we first used it in 2007.. But both my wife and I have used their services within the last 18 months..
People including ourselves use the private sector for a few reasons... The hospitals and clinics can usually see you straight away... You can approach the surgeon doing your operation, just as if he was a great friend of yours...
Some treatments of course are not available at the Paphos General and you have to go to Nicosia Hospital.. But some people say the cost at Private hospitals are reasonable.. Other say that they have been treated as a 'cash cow' and the hospital was more interested in charging for every single thing..
Some people say they can't afford private car, but go to a private laboratory for blood tests..
You pay your money (no pun intended) and you take your choice..

[MacManiac]

I was filled with dread about visiting the General Hospital in Paphos, and this was influenced by the posts on various forums which were full of horror stories. We had both used Polis Hospital and had been delighted with the service they offered. But the General ...

I suppose my views were coloured by the one visit to A & E not long after we arrived. My wife was taken down to the General from Polis Hospital and I followed down in the car. My goodness - the place was filthy and the staff more interested in using their mobile phones than looking after the patients. My wife was very thirsty and I went to ask for some water for her. I was directed to a machine outside A & E where bottled water was sold, and which - incidentally - did not work. She was transferred back to Polis that night, and spent three days there and the care was absolutely excellent.

When I had to go to the General for a cardiac procedure, I was apprehensive. This was a couple of years ago and - all I can say - is that the treatment was superb. Registering was simple (something I had never done there) and there were signs in both Greek and English. The initial tests were sympathetically carried out and then down to intensive care to wait for the consultant. The procedure was carried out and he then decided that I should stay in overnight to make sure all was well. I can remember him telling me that the hospital authorities did not like him doing that (because of the cost) and I can remember smiling when he said "They will do what I say because I am the consultant. Accountants - what do they know?"

Food was adequate, the nurses were attentive, and the moment the cleaners finished on the ward there was a pause and they then started again. I had never seen a hospital that was so clean.

When my wife went down to the General earlier this year, for tests, we were dealt with sympathetically and with great skill. And so our initial thoughts were somewhat changed by our own experience.

The one time there was something of a cock-up was when she dislocated her toe (she went into battle with a supermarket trolley ... and lost). At Polis Hospital she was x-rayed, prescribed painkillers and antibiotics (?) and was then meant to travel to the General to visit the Orthopaedic Department, which looked a real scrum. So off to the the local private clinic, a consultation and a decision to have the procedure then and there. Three painkilling injections, a painless procedure and a bill for €80,00 ... done and dusted ...

And so, a big thumbs-up to the General Hospital, an almost flawless performance over the years from Polis Hospital and a welcome relief that private clinics can offer almost instantaneous relief.

[JimX]

When you have a private blood test who decides what they are testing the blood for ?.
And when you get the results who decides whether the readings are good or bad?

Trev you do, you pay for what checks the blood testing is for, the results are explained to you the next day when you pick them up, the blood test results from the center, they are in several parts of the town, I always take my results either to a private clinic or to the GP at the General (Dr. Nicos) I usually have Diabetes long-term results (3 months), and one for a Prostate check, so far they have not lost my results as the General have twice. Dr. Nicos is happy to read the test results and also give you the diagnosis.

MM the old hospital was in the old town, it is now a private clinic where they diagnosed my Diabetic problems.It is as far as I am aware still a private clinic.

Now and apart from small medical problems I have to pay, I cannot now afford private medical insurance at 70 years old, my pensions will not stand it!

[Firefly]

Royal,

That was my experience of The General, some of the nursing practices were terrible and the risk of infection a great concern. That said, the surgeon I had was excellent, he saved my life. Some ward toilets were very dirty again a concern. However, I couldn't fault the Bank Of Cyprus cancer hospital, the staff were excellent, and the place immaculate.

Here in Herefordshire, my doctor's surgery also have the ring back service, but I can book an appointment online if I want to, and usually we can see the doctor within a day or so. It also has it's own dispensary so no need to go to a chemist, and they deliver repeat medication to the door.

Jackie

[JimX]

Jackie no reason to go back to all that cold and wet! you normally need to see a GP more often because of this...no thanks.

[Firefly]

Jim

Sadly I did need to get back to the cold and wet, The General left me with an infected hip replacement, and wouldn't treat me further. I had to go to Wrightington Hospital in the UK to have it removed and the infection treated, before they replaced my hip, six months later. Still miss the sun and my friends though

Jackie

[trevnhil]

And the knowledge of things like Jackie has experienced, is the very reason that some of us go private..

[josef k]

I have experience of public and private in both Cyprus and the UK. I think the level of health provision is similar, comparing within sectors. However the UK is let down by the waiting that is experienced by patients. People have commented above about the wait for a GP in the UK. As a further example, it is not unknown for someone referred to the mental health service to wait 6 months for an assessment, followed by nearly one year for a first appointment. Frankly, I don't see any reason why I would need to go back to the UK for health services. After all, I did have my triple heart bypass here in Cyprus, and that went very well.

[Kili01]

I prefer to 'mix and match' between the General and private clinics. I go to the General to see a GP when necessary,When necessary and to get a prescription. For anything more serious I tend to go private. Apart from being able to have an operation quickly and at a time that suits me, I can choose my surgeon who will spend the time needed to go through everything and to answer any questions. I can expect a clean reasonably comfortable room with ensuite and good nursing care. I don't need to have to burden friends to look after me while in hospital. As it is usually much quieter at night, I can sleep better and recover faster. Also, as the cleanliness in private hospitals is pretty good the chances of getting an infection following surgery is very much less.
My health insurance covers me for hospital in patient treatment, operations and drugs, while in hospital. It is much cheaper without outpatient cover which helps me. At present I can just about afford it!

Dee