[Debbie]

I know that several of you have been patients in NZ hospitals either through the joys of pregnacy of through the mishaps of life but I was wanting to know how NZ hospitals compare to UK expecially for in patient care.

My little boy will need to have a minor op (tonsiles out) and our GP is reluctant to refer him just yet, partly because it's not fashionable to remove kids tonsiles at the mo and partly because my son is only 4 and the GP thinks he should be older. Whilst Im in no rush for my son to have any kind of opperation it's no fun either being up all night sponging down a child who's tempreture hits 42 and throws up all meds. The upshot is that he will probably have to have the op once we get to NZ.

From my research NZ hospitals are on a par with the UK, same waiting list issues. I can't find any referance to MRSA but assume that it is everywhere. Nursing and medical staff and resources seem compatable.

I guess Im after reasurance from people who have actually used the service to confirm that it's OK.

Sorry for the ramble. One anxious mother

[Mildred]

Debbie

My daughter had her tonsils removed a year ago at the Chaucer Hospital, Canterbury. I wish it had been done years ago. It seemed everytime she had to go to A&E with an asthma attack, they would comment on her tonsils being enlarged. We were lucky enough to have private medical cover at the time so asked if they could be removed. Since then she hasn't had a single attack proving that her infected tonsils were triggering her asthma. She was just under 8 years old at the time. She came back from theatre at 11pm and was eating pasta at 1pm without any complaints about soreness although she is a tough little thing!

Hope you find a solution to this soon as it isn't nice having such a poorly child and is exausting for the both of you.

[Gran]

Hi Debbie,
I dont know much about English hospitals anymore although I have memories of fairly basic places, but here is the Auckland Public Childrens Hospital, (called Starship)

http://www.starship.org.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/homepage

[lindajax]

hi Debbie,
I shouldn't imagine you'll have any problems with a tonsillectomy... I kno it isn't for you BUt it is a fairly basic operation ( I was a paediatric nurse in ENT in theatre for years in the Uk). I currnetly work at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland - we have a Paedicatric unit - not sure if they do ENT I think that goes to Starship BUT most district generals do ENT.
As for MRSA yes it is here BUT not as prevalent as the UK and they do not get so very stressed about it as in the UK. There should be absolutely NO reason your child should contract it after tonsillectomy so please try not to worry.
hope this helps a little
Linda x

[Debbie]

Thanks all for your replies.
It was having to decide whether to push for him to be refered now and have in done in the UK where we know what the services are or wait until he was older, (a better option according to the GP), but have it done in NZ where I have no experience of in patient care. I know that he will be able to have the op anywhere and I had it done myself so can sort off remember what it will be like.

Linda, (a difficult question and If you don't want to reply please don't), If your child had a choice of admission to a NZ hospital or UK would you have a preferance.?

My gut tells me that there should be little to difference from a patient care point of view but I was wanting to check that instinct out with people who have real experience.

Sorry if my first post was unclear and thanks again for all your help and support.
Debbie

[T-R3xx]

Interesting - I actually did not know tonsillectomies were still being done with any regularity. I remember as kid my friends’ getting them, but it seems now you rarely hear of them. My understanding was that they are unnecessary, except in cases of chronic throat infections. Sort of like circumcisions, in that they are now becoming out of fashion in the medical community.

[Debbie]

Yep you are right, In the UK it seems rather a fashion thing. When I was a kid every one had their tonsils out, then the fashion moved to giving every child grommits. OUr GP states that my son has to be ill 6 times in a yr to be refered and then should be over 6 yrs of age. Unfortunatly, my son is only 4 but he meets the other critia and has been hospitilised once this yr when his temp got so high he got into difficulties.
Im not keen on him having an op but if he is going to need it I'd rather he have it before he starts school.
Debbie