MY experience at the General Hospital

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dazzadazza
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by dazzadazza » August 28, 2018, 4:43 pm

Thanks for the update vince,
I was thinking I must go for a check up and was thinking BKK but that is 10K+
Is it allays turn up at 07:00 ?



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vincemunday
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by vincemunday » August 28, 2018, 5:12 pm

No, I think you can turn up later but the early bird gets seen quicker and all that.
The forest was shrinking daily but the trees kept voting for the axe as its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them.

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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by tutone » August 28, 2018, 9:37 pm

vincemunday wrote:
August 28, 2018, 11:57 am
No I just walked in but you mustn't eat or drink after 8pm the day before. If you are particularly worried about your heart go on a Tuesday because the heart specialist is there on a Wednesday and he'll need to see your results.
Thanks for the information.

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waltpong
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by waltpong » August 29, 2018, 1:24 am

can someone please tell me the name when they refer it as the general hospital and its location?

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MALC
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by MALC » August 29, 2018, 4:07 am

aek -hostpital-army hostpital-gov hostpital-bangkok hostpital.so which one do's one refer to as the general hostpital.thank you .

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Brian Davis
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by Brian Davis » August 29, 2018, 5:21 am

The General Hospital (and that's got absolutely nothing to do with the army! :lol: ) is the very large government hospital on the west side of Nong Prajak. This is, of course, where most 'ordinary' Thais in Udon would go to, or be referred by smaller hospitals in the province. Open to foreigners too, of course.
AEK Udon, Bangkok and the Wattana hospitals(the latter actually alongside Nong Prajak too) are all genuine private hospitals.
I'm not really sure how to describe the criteria (is that the word?) for, what I call, the Army Hospital on Tahan Rd, other than the military link. It has another name too. I'd suggest it falls somewhere between the general hospital and the private hospitals in terms of e.g. patient numbers, conditions and costs.

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vincemunday
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by vincemunday » August 29, 2018, 8:32 am

Brian you're correct, the Prachaksilapakhom or military hospital as it's known has a bit nicer decor (but not much) and of course the private hospitals are a step above that. In terms of treatment however I would say having been to both here and the general hospital, I would say there's many more facilities at the GH and I've heard on more than one occasion that patients have been sent to the GH by the private hospitals because they don't have the facilities to give the treatment needed. So I guess it's horses for courses, if you like the leather seats and being shown to your next post of call by high heeled, pretty nurses then private is the way forward but if like me (I'm a convert) you want to be treated well and feel happy with said treatment then the GH isn't a bad way to go. At this point I'd like to point out that I'm not demeaning the PH's, they've treated some people I know extremely well and the care they've given them is second to none, however i'd just point out it's the same cardiologists that treats at both places. After my well man visit yesterday I went back to see another doctor about the pains I'm having in my chest, the entire visit took under an hour and cost me 50 baht plus 45 baht for my medicine and once again i came away confident i'd been treated as i would have been in the UK. By the by, all public hospitals are to do with the Army, we live in a country run by a junta and i suspect that's partly why there have been such huge improvements in the hospitals in recent years.
The forest was shrinking daily but the trees kept voting for the axe as its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them.

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Brian Davis
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by Brian Davis » August 29, 2018, 9:45 am

I'm delighted to read that the General Hospital may be the place to go, if other hospitals don't have the facilities, if only that if I do develop something serious needing an op or long term stay, it's likely the only place I could afford! :lol: (I note this insurance initiative under a different topic refers to treatment ONLY in a government hospital). That said, I used AEK for the birth of my son and on that occasion anyway, I thought the care was good and the bill reasonable. Yes, staff certainly 'overlap'. I had a hernia op years back in Nongbua, at a modest private hospital. Whilst the surgeon himself was the main man at the private hospital(and I mean investment in the hospital too) I was aware that all the supporting operating staff all came from the general hospital there.
You're probably correct in the present politics of Thailand, that the army would have its' influence in the running of all government hospitals. If facilities have improved because of that, then I guess it's one thing they could shout about which is actually true.

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vincemunday
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by vincemunday » August 29, 2018, 10:15 am

I'm not sure it would be worth taking out an insurance policy to cover costs at the GH, from what I've seen the charges are extremely affordable particularly for drugs etc, my 1040 baht well man check up had at least as many checks as the PH's do if not more, very good value. That said, I would appreciate any shared experiences from anyone who's had treatment for a serious complaint at the GH but MY thoughts are I'll leave a chunk of money in a bank account and use it if I need to but we all have different wants, needs and abilities.
The forest was shrinking daily but the trees kept voting for the axe as its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them.

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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by AlexO » August 29, 2018, 12:37 pm

Ended up in Pattaya GH basically because I told motorbike taxi guy "take me to hospital" at 4am in the morning. Checked in after the receptionist had explained charges and additional costs. Apart from BP, temperature and being asked for a urine sample (could not provide, thats what was causing the pain) nothing done until doctors rounds at 9am. Cut long story short, 4 nurses came and fitted a catheter and receiver bags (4 filled in first 10 minutes).
Spent 3 nights in the hospital, constantly on drips with either antibiotics or just rehydration fluids and having to eat the hospital food. Was told that I was not getting out till I could pee nearly normally and also have a poo?? Doctor told me on release day go to private hospital and see specialist for prostrate (Urologist) as they did not have one in that hospital. Ends up I had a severe prostrate infection that was able to be treated with a long course of antibiotics. Thoughts on GH hospital stay. Nursing staff, very good, doctors, average GP standard (no specialists at that time). Facilities, in a basic ward, multiple types of patients (no trauma) very hot (only fans) Total cost for 3 nights, meds, medical staff, xrays etc was just under 7500 baht. Private outpatient treatment to fix problem came to about 4000 baht. If whole thing had been done private cost would have been about 40,000+ baht. If non life threatening GH, if life threatening (ie heart attack) private immediately.

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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by Mikedee43 » September 10, 2018, 1:54 pm

Malc, the Government Hospital is also referred to as the General Hospital. Very close to Nong Prajak Park. Not to be confused with Wattana Hospital, also skirting the park. The Udonmap shows both.

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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by bigsnake » September 11, 2018, 8:33 am

Good hear postive things about the GH, BUT, take a visit to any of the Wards there you might have second THOUGHTS!
Other words check in- patients status.

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Brian Davis
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by Brian Davis » September 11, 2018, 9:45 am

I think that's fair comment, bigsnake. I've only seen the Udon GH wards a couple of times, but those in the Phen local hospital more often. If I had to be an in-patient in one of those wards, I think it would drive me crazy, never mind doing much to help my recovery. A large number of patients displaying various ailments, piles of visitors which is the Thai way, some of whom remain almost permanently, taking care - food, toilet, washing etc. Duties farangs might take for granted to be carried out by nursing staff in their home countries. (Rebuilding is underway at Phen for an overloaded hospital. My wife suggests they've already made wards single sex only, wasn't before and hopefully there will be sufficient beds that patients aren't put in corridors or external walkways). I haven't forgotten a nurse's whispered comment that one might be healthy arriving at the hospital, but you'll come out sick!
The point I'm leading to is that, I'm fairly sure, most farangs would be seeking a private room.

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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by dragonz » September 11, 2018, 10:44 am

I have only been there twice . First time was a few yrs ago when i thought i may have malaria . Waited 5 hrs . doctor looked at my tongue gave me some medicine and paracetamols .About 3/4 mins .
Second time i went to visit a young guy who had a motorbike accident on a sat night , head injury. Went there on sunday . About 12 bike accident victims there in a filthy ward . All bandaged but still bloody and groaning .Young girl badly smashed up looking near to death .2 nurse were there and i asked them where were the doctors . reply " no doctors on sunday"
Went to use the toilet but could not as overflowing , absolutely filthy . No cleaners on sunday.
I left there with tears in my eyes and my legs shaking.
A week later they sent the guy home still semi-concious , said no more they could do for him without him paying . He lay on a floor for about a month before he could stand and about 3 months before he was out and about.He is ok now but one side of his face is not right .
I told my wife if i have an accident take me home rather than go there

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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by Mikedee43 » September 11, 2018, 11:54 am

I have experience of 2 local hospitals as a short term in patient.
The first was via my Urologist who I visited at his private clinic for enlarged prostate. When my PSA rose to double figures he recommended a biopsy. He has a surgery every Wednesday at the Government Hospital in addition to his private clinic. I could not fault the medical treatment I received but some areas were sadly lacking.i had a line up on the day for antibiotics. There were insufficient trolleys available to transport the lines to the bathroom. The bags had to be carried by hand. Neither the washroom, toilets or shower room had facilities for hanging the bags as a result the bags could not be held above the head.and reverse flow took place allowing blood to flow back through the line.
The only food served was rice soup but no spoons available for eating it
Costs. 6000 baht for surgeon and 6000 baht for hospital.
My second experience was at Fort Prajak military hospital.
I visited an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Warin at his private clinic on the Nong Khai road for arthritis of the hip. He suggested I had x rays at the hospital and saw him the next day. As a result of the x rays I underwent a total hip replacement on the right hip. The surgeon was Dr Warin who holds a surgery on Monday Tuesday and Thursday at FP hospital starting at 10am
The food was a big improvement and typically a dish of boiled rice and 4 more dishes of Thai food.so there was always something I could eat.
Once again the medical treatment was first class.
My only criticism was I found the beds uncomfortable and would certainly take in a mattress comforter next time.
Cost. 125000 baht

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vincemunday
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by vincemunday » September 11, 2018, 12:34 pm

Yes I have been in their equivalent of A&E and to be honest I found it a bit daunting, there were people everywhere being worked on with mainly head injuries and to be fair to the staff they were wasting their time on some of them, no crash helmet, heads cleaved open but they tried anyway. Thankfully I've not been an in patient so I can't comment but it seems you had quite a bad experience, all I can say is that I've spoken to other people who've been there since I started this thread and most were quite happy with how they were treated, maybe they were just lucky or maybe you were just unlucky. All I can really comment on is how i was treated as an out patient and based on the treatment I got wouldn't go anywhere else
The forest was shrinking daily but the trees kept voting for the axe as its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them.

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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by dragonz » September 12, 2018, 7:33 am

I think there is 1 basic fact . If you know whats wrong with you and go in a weekday you will get good treatment . If you are sick but do not know why and/or go out of hours there is nearly no chance of getting a correct diagnosis .
I have 2 boys and been to hospitals a few times when they are very sick with high temperatures and always the same 2 min check then cough medicine and paracetamols . No tests for malaria, dengue fever or meningitis .
One of my boys was sick at 3yr old for over a year with constant coughing and breathing problems , Lots of visits to gen hospital n, 2 to aek and 2 to bkk hospital about 5000 baht a visit with same answer chest infection or sinus problem.
Finally took him to srinakarin in kk . They tested him for 2 hours , kept him in overnight . Turned out he had a collapsed lung caused by a build up of fluid in his chest. They drained the fluid and gave antibiotics and has been ok since.
They showed me the xray and i could see it when they pointed it out and i also brought some of the xrays from aek and bkk hospital and showed the doctor (english doctor) and he told me it was quite clear on the old xrays that he had a collapsed lung .

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vincemunday
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Treatment experiences at the General Hospital

Post by vincemunday » September 12, 2018, 8:30 am

Now I'm really, really interested, dragonz experience has been very different to mine albeit I was just an out patient, what experiences have other people had, both good and bad? Please please please, no Thai bashers, it would be nice if we could have a sensible, constructive thread, if you feel the need to slag Thailand and Thai and Thai people off go to a different thread.
The forest was shrinking daily but the trees kept voting for the axe as its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them.

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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by dragonz » September 12, 2018, 9:42 am

The private hospitals had no excuse from not diagnosing my boy but the general hospital doctors are pretty good if you have an appointment for a specific doctor for a specific complaint . My wife goes there for throat cancer treatment and they are excellent but the problem is they are overwhelmed with patients everyday .
Remember the are no local doctors or healthe centres as in uk . There is a new one in my village , very big and nice but no doctors and the thais are very babylike when it comes to illness . My wifes daughter goes to hospital when she has period pains for paracetamols and her son goes there for headaches and usual go in a group. Granny is ill with a cough and takes all the family up to 10 people with her . they sit on the floor and eat food and use the toilets etc . I went to the dentist there a few weeks ago , excellent treatment , was talking to some thais outside on the balcony sitting eating . 7 of them but only 1 to see the dentist . I usually go by myself .
When i saw the doctor when i was ill he had at least 100 patients waiting and he was sitting in the centre of the room and when he eximed you it was in front of everyone . no privacy . Just to many patient

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Brian Davis
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Re: MY experience at the General Hospital

Post by Brian Davis » September 12, 2018, 9:53 am

Agree Vince and I don't believe anyone so far has been having a go at the Thai, just being honest about how it is here and their experiences, good and bad..
It is a major concern and worrying from dragonz about his son, that several visits to Udon hospitals including supposed quality, private ones, failed to give the correct diagnosis. Isn't a collapsed lung on an x ray something that should be easily noticed?

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