This is a wee, and personal, thread about the possibility of losing our free at the point of delivery health services in Scotland. It’s in response to the clip from @Dr_PhilippaW and @Feorlean https://twitter.com/dr_philippaw/status/1306148129478258688

Our daughter is waiting for heart surgery in USA. Ironically, and happily, her condition was picked up by her work place as a coronary care support nurse. She has already had 1 intra venous procedure that hasn’t calmed her symptoms.

No thanks to COVID, we haven’t seen her for near on 2 years. I’ve put together a wee box of things to cheer her up before her surgery. to @JaneyGodley @stewartbremner and Brave

But here’s the thing. We’ve watched/listened to her journey through the health insurance system in the USA and it is terrifying. All her strategic life decisions, including the timing of ending a long term relationship and changing employment routes

... are entirely governed by factors that ensure that there is not an hour that she is not covered. Having selected a job where she can earn enough to afford to live safely nearby to cut commute costs and give her optimal cover, there are still costs applied that are toe curling.

Recovering from her previous procedure, she was recommended 2 overnight stays. These were extra. She decided to rest at home with a pal since she lives only 5 mins away from the hospital. She has to carry an in date epi pen, only part supported by her insurance.

Even now, with this procedure necessary to stabilise her heart, and having fully paid cover, her case has had to be approved by the insurance co. ref. her age/fitness etc. The point here is that these decisions are no longer based upon clinical need.

This morning she texted to say that the operation had been approved. Brilliant! ... now she’s waiting to hear if her post op recovery needs will be covered ... and whether this will include financial cover for her having to take time off work

...and the drop in salary when she is able to return back on lighter duties. The concern being, of course, that you have to earn enough to keep on paying your health insurance premiums in order to be continuously covered. The dragon must be fed.

I don’t want this for Scotland, ever. I don’t care about which political party/group you choose to align with, the health of those who choose to live here is paramount. I want a fair society for all where your health outcomes are not decided by your ability to pay.