debnjohn
15th May 2007, 08:49 PM
Just wanted to say how pleased I am with the ACC system, and how well it has served me over the last couple of months.
I partially slipped a disc (prolapse) back in March whilst walking our dog. My doctor was amazing, and gave me exactly the information I needed. Appointments were only $10, and prescriptions $3. A subsidised X-ray ($35) showed an uneven gap on one of my vertebrae. Unfortunatley after a couple of weeks (and a dodgy Physio appointment) my disc ruptured. Once again the doctor came to the fore, referring me to Sportsmed rather than a surgeon as both have the authority for an MRI scan, but the former has a much shorter waiting list. Within 2 weeks I had the MRI (free-of-charge), which Sportsmed sent to the surgeon. I saw him within a week (an amazing nuerosurgeon with 35 years experience) who immediatey applied to ACC on my behalf for 'elective' surgery (which is completely funded by ACC). My case worker at ACC chased the paperwork through (which has to go to a couple of regional centres for approval) and phoned me back 9 days later with approval. I was admitted to St Georges hospital in Christchurch 4 days later (yesterday) and discharged today. For the first time in 2 months (to the day) I have been able to take the dog for a proper long walk again. Every one I have met (with the exception of one physio)has been totally professional and very helpful. This is my first personal experience of hospitalization, but I am pretty sure that the UK would be hard-pushed to beat it, even with private medical insurance.
Back on my feet again,
John.
I partially slipped a disc (prolapse) back in March whilst walking our dog. My doctor was amazing, and gave me exactly the information I needed. Appointments were only $10, and prescriptions $3. A subsidised X-ray ($35) showed an uneven gap on one of my vertebrae. Unfortunatley after a couple of weeks (and a dodgy Physio appointment) my disc ruptured. Once again the doctor came to the fore, referring me to Sportsmed rather than a surgeon as both have the authority for an MRI scan, but the former has a much shorter waiting list. Within 2 weeks I had the MRI (free-of-charge), which Sportsmed sent to the surgeon. I saw him within a week (an amazing nuerosurgeon with 35 years experience) who immediatey applied to ACC on my behalf for 'elective' surgery (which is completely funded by ACC). My case worker at ACC chased the paperwork through (which has to go to a couple of regional centres for approval) and phoned me back 9 days later with approval. I was admitted to St Georges hospital in Christchurch 4 days later (yesterday) and discharged today. For the first time in 2 months (to the day) I have been able to take the dog for a proper long walk again. Every one I have met (with the exception of one physio)has been totally professional and very helpful. This is my first personal experience of hospitalization, but I am pretty sure that the UK would be hard-pushed to beat it, even with private medical insurance.
Back on my feet again,
John.