Posted on 20 Oct, 2010 -
If Life Were a Board game…
The NHS costs approximately £1,700 to £1,900 per person a year
So don’t be shy about getting your money’s worth
PLUS: 5 top health tips from some of the UK’s healthiest women
Dear Reader,
Exact figures vary, but it would be safe to say that the NHS costs at least £1,700 and perhaps as much as £1,900 a year per person.
It would also be safe to say, therefore, that you should not be shy of making good use of it. It’s the taxes we pay and our contribution to the financial health of this country, after all, that funds it.
So why, I wonder, do so many people wait too long before talking to their GP about their symptoms? (Which often actually ends up costing the NHS more in the long run.)
I don’t, unfortunately, know the answer to that question myself because I’m always happy to run something by my doctor and I really LIKE hospitals. Some people, however, do seem to not wish to be a trouble… to not want to know the answer… or some other fear or concern that stops them from going.
So what can we do to make sure we’re getting the best possible care out of the NHS - without being an unnecessary burden on its finances? I put this question to a couple of doctors I spent a hen weekend with a few years ago. Here are some of the answers they gave me:
Before you go to see your GP, write down a list of ALL the symptoms you’re experiencing at the moment (including psychological) and how long you’ve had them. My GP acquaintance also stressed that they are very keen to know what your fears and anxieties are so to MAKE A LIST OF THOSE too.
Ask as many questions as you need to ensure that EVERYTHING is clear to you. Don’t feel that it’s your fault if you don’t understand - doctors are not always good at explaining or filling in the gaps of knowledge they forget you might have. Don’t be afraid to talk through every last detail or concern that is on your mind. Don’t be afraid to take all the time you need now as it will probably save time later.
And don’t stop there! My friends also advise that you ask whether the doctor thinks it’s possible there could be something else wrong with you than what he or she is saying. Ask what other treatment options are available other than the ones they’re currently prescribing or recommending. If you’ve been back several times and things still aren’t moving, ask whether it would be possible to be referred to a specialist. You can even do your own research on consultants available on sites like http://www.drfoster.co.uk
If you are ever kept waiting to see a specialist or for an operation, make sure you ring to find out what’s happening. NHS rules say that nobody should have to wait more than six months for an operation.
Always remember that your doctor isn’t just there to fix you. They are also responsible for your long-term health including foreseeing or preventing further problems. Help them to build up a picture of your overall health. Do mention any ‘minor’ concerns you might have.
Your GP may be happy to refer you for a second opinion if you ask politely. In one study, 55% of doctors came up with a different diagnosis of the same condition. In another, 20% of X-rays were misinterpreted in the same reading. Try using a line like “I know I’m crazy to worry about it so much but I really would appreciate a second opinion - just to give me peace of mind.”
If you’re not happy with your GP, you have the right to change. The best person to ask about this is the receptionist. Find a nice way of phrasing it and they should be helpful.
Be prepared to admit that your GP or even the NHS as a whole may well be unable to offer you the best solutions for your condition. With certain conditions such as arthritis, asthma or back pain, a complete cure may well be out of the question - many conditions being an “inevitable” part of ageing or one of the unfortunate short straws of life. Ask your doctor for as much advice as they can give you on all the different options for ‘managing’ the symptoms. Also be prepared, however, to do your own research. Search the internet. Buy second-hand books from Amazon. Look for support groups for people suffering from your condition.
5 top health tips from some of the UK’s healthiest women
Another good reason to visit your GP I discovered the other day is that they have some very good magazines on health topics for you to browse through.
One good one I was reading in particular had an article about top health tips offered by some super-healthy women they interviewed.
Here are a few snippets:
Eat meat 3 times a week!
Trichologist Carole Michaelides (that’s hair specialist to you and me) said that her number one tip for good health is to eat meat 3 times a week.
Women who come to the clinic with problems such as hairloss are often eating an inadequate diet - especially if they’re not eating meat. Many people who haven’t been eating meat find they feel a lot healthier if they start eating it again.
(If you are suffering with a problem like hair loss, don’t forget that you can get a referral to a dermatologist from your GP.)
Take Starflower oil for great skin and relief from hormonal pains and moods
Sally Penford, skin specialist, and education manager at The International Dermal Institute recommended taking starflower oil.
Many women are now swearing by starflower oil for easing PMS pains and moods, for better skin and for feeling generally healthier.
Like evening primrose oil that was popular before, starflower oil contains gamma-linolenic acid or GLA, used as a dietary supplement for treating skin problems, liver damage, angina and chromic fatigue to name but a few.
(Omega 3 is also good if you have a dry skin problem as well she said!)
Take astragalus and siberian ginseng
According to Gillian McKeith of Channe 4’s You Are What You Eat Fame, says that astragalus and siberian ginseng are the top two things she recommends for protection against colds and boosting the immune system.
Drink chamomile tea to keep free from stress-related illness
Busy mother says that she never gets ill and puts in down to the fact that the “gallons” of chamomile tea she drinks keeps her calm. She also recommends lavender oil for its calming effects.
Treat your body to a mega health boost every few weeks and ward off bugs and cold
This fifth tip came from a busy nanny who says that - unlike other nannies she knows - she doesn’t catch bugs and colds from the children she looks after.
She puts in down to the super-healthy breakfast she prepares herself now and again - mixing up spirulina with fruit and wheat grass.
And one final tip…
This last one didn’t come from a magazine but from an experience I’ve had recently with a friend getting poorly.
And it’s a health tip for those among us who don’t know when to stop. (Yes you know who you are!)
‘Rest’ is a valuable form of medicine and something we all need to keep our health in shape. Even the fittest of us get tired. Even the best at ‘coping’ and getting stuff done need time off the job.
Best wishes
