UK Report: 9 Month Agonizing Wait For Arthritis Treatments
As you read through this, take careful note that NO ONE quoted here suggests giving physicians the freedom to act on their own on behalf of their patients. The solution - if there is to be one - will come solely from the Health Ministry.
Thousands of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers face a lifetime of agony because they are not being treated quickly enough, a report says.
Guidelines state that patients should receive treatment within three months of the first symptoms appearing.
But the average wait is nine months - and GPs are not trained well enough to know what help to offer.
Neil Betteridge, chief executive of the charity Arthritis Care, said: ‘The report echoes what people with rheumatoid arthritis have been telling Arthritis Care for years.
Health minister Ann Keen said: ‘We welcome this report and will consider it carefully before responding.’
”... will consider it…”!!
I recommend reading the whole article to understand the “national health-care” mindset.
