tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post3150915442654324547..comments2024-03-26T10:03:51.827+13:00Comments on Karl du Fresne: My brother's last months weren't easy, but now he's where he would have wanted to be Karl du Fresnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054853925940134404noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-64514190376362754032017-09-11T14:40:57.682+12:002017-09-11T14:40:57.682+12:00Richard I agree totally with your comments. It is ...Richard I agree totally with your comments. It is refreshing to see the situation acknowledged. <br /><br />Roger Douglas had the only practical solution I have come across for this W.W. problem. He suggested having insurance pay the cost (or the State, for the needy) with the indiviual deciding who fixed them, but the Govt not do the work. <br /><br />I simply can't stand about 20% of my tax going to the hospital fraternity and I never will get to receive any benefit unless I have exhausted all my wealth first, plus be expected to have health insurance that does actual get me fixed. Sod paying for things twice.<br /><br />Lets have either the Govt doing 100% of the job or private doing 100%. Or... make it an option. Those who take private health insurance and get a 20% tax credit (outside the Govt scheme). Or select the Govt scheme (default). "All" the rich end will gleefully take insurance and be zero burden on the state and the country would soon make the best option obvious and maybe we would all be fixed and well without waiting. We currently have the worst of all worlds. Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002173078113209487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-45215383804886630712017-09-06T21:18:17.708+12:002017-09-06T21:18:17.708+12:00Firstly, thank you Karl for sharing that story. As...Firstly, thank you Karl for sharing that story. As a medic, I have met several patients who had brachytherapy for prostate cancer and in most cases it worked well and allowed them to avoid external radiation (which is analogous to using a sledge hammer to kill a mouse, as it can cause significant damage to the normal tissue nearby). Sorry to hear it wasn't curative in your brother's case.<br /><br /> Ron, as long as there is a public health system, there will be waiting lists, as there has to be rationing of treatment. That's why I have long advocated allowing people to self-fund - or use medical insurance - to cover the costs of health care, by way of tax cuts. Private hospitals don't tend to have waiting lists. Richard McGrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16897506962769133615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-49339549701644992392017-09-04T10:08:52.663+12:002017-09-04T10:08:52.663+12:00Good going writing about your brother like that Ka...Good going writing about your brother like that Karl, I remember seeing your post to him last year. <br />My brother died in a mountain climbing accident when he was 21, I dreamed he came home again for the next thirty years. Then finally I made a 3 minute film of his life for us [ in photos].<br />About hospital. Your brother may have liked to meet my other younger brother. <br /> Professor Scott at Christchurch has an alarming habit when he arrives at your bedside with a V formation of interns. <br />He just says " You tell me what is sickening you ' or words similar.<br />When you see about twenty pairs of medical eyes looking for your answer you get the feeling that they will take notice. And then any intern that wants to ask questions [ actually take a history and context ] does so. <br />Brothers are good, and you are a good brother to post about him Karl.lolitasbrotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09703899003716348306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-44068176920872622632017-08-31T09:38:32.547+12:002017-08-31T09:38:32.547+12:00Thank you both for your kind wishes.Thank you both for your kind wishes.Karl du Fresnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05054853925940134404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-64007721520793487662017-08-31T09:29:56.254+12:002017-08-31T09:29:56.254+12:00This is a very moving tribute to Justin and an ind...This is a very moving tribute to Justin and an indictment of our health system. In its defence, but only in part, it's an imprecise science run by humans, with all that involves - variations in skill and knowledge, emotions, fatigue, lack of resources (no country can afford the health system we all want). There's no solution, only "try harder". Most of the people involved are hard working, committed and professional. But they are human. And some of them, a tiny number, might be better in a different occupation. My condolences.Max Ritchiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09700377308425417842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8442430064359197279.post-67877997478350966132017-08-28T15:14:40.260+12:002017-08-28T15:14:40.260+12:00The medical / hospital "profession" the ...The medical / hospital "profession" the world over has a terrible record for what is insufferable in the business world. Getting up to date. They have the perpetual excuse of all civil services and monopolies of professional capture. "We need more resources". They have had waiting lists all my life, pushing all to go provate until they have exhausted every scrap of personal wealth they have. It is a rort.<br /><br />If there is a backlog then it needs checking/monitoring to see if it is getting better or worse. <br />If getting better, then it is only time before it is current (and the expense overall declines sharply).<br />If getting worse, it simply needes "extra" resourse until it is improving.<br />If it is staying constant, it is deliberate with an alteria motive. I know of a few motives with this "profession". They have been behind a convenient lag term, all of my 67 years of life.<br /><br />And my thoughts are with you over Justin. Sad loss to us all.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002173078113209487noreply@blogger.com