Keep reading on here about service at government hospitals, and a few members always saying go private.

Last few days things not going too good, leaking urine, so off we go to the local hospital.

Got there busy very busy, oh s++t going to have to wait, after about 15 minutes i get wheeled into ER room, catheter changed, urine sample taken, sent for testing.Now we wait, had to wait a whole 2 hours  (shocking  )results back, see doctor, you have a urinary tract infection.

You stay here? Noway i want to go home, ok i give you antibiotics to help, come back 7 days check urine again.

Wife goes to pharmacy, accounts office, shockingly massive bill ( how can we pay that?) a WHOPPING 320 BAHT.????

So all you members thinking about what hospital to use, nothing wrong with governments hospitals.

I think it's the same here as in the UK. If you go in with some emergency problem they will look at you fairly quickly, but if you just want to have an appointment to see a specialist about something, or for some operation that is not urgent, you can wait a long time. Things like just registering for treatment can be an all-day job here in some government hospitals, yet in a private hospital it only takes seconds.

So anyone who can afford to pay to go private is probably better off doing so, just as it is better to fly business class if you can afford it.

My son had a sore (some sort of infection) to his toe.

Went to Bangkok Hospital was told it would cost 15000 Baht to drain and for antibiotics. Said "No Way" and paid the consultation fee of 720 baht.

Went to the local clinic (which I should have gone to first) where they put the drain in and antibiotics cost 200 baht.

 

So I agree.....Public or clinic over private hospital any time!

I used to attend a private hospital,but felt they were always

trying to extract money from me,trying to get me to do unnecessary

procedures,and the price of medicines was always much more than  

you could buy at the local chemists.

 

For the last 6 years, I have gone to the local Government hospital,the only

Farang there,smiling nurses,Doctors you can talk to,the only negative,but

no real difficulty for me,i have to get there at 5.00,usually get Q no.2 or 3,

they do test for sugar,alternative visits check,eyes,feet,full check on urine,

very pleased with the service i receive there,pay for 2.5 months medizine,tests

around 650-800 Thb,depending on tests,on my way home by 9.00.

 

regards Worgeordie

 

Thank you for your input...good information...I have long suspected the private hospitals vs government hospitals are like going to spa vs a massage parlor...????

Back home patients can be waiting up to 72 hrs. on trolleys in corridors before getting seen to...Western Europe...where all the eyes are smiling (except in the hospitals).

If you want to start a gofundme for the hospital bill, i might be able to chip in a 20 (baht that is).

5 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

I have long suspected the private hospitals vs government hospitals are like going to spa vs a massage parlor...

Same same, apart from you have to pay through the nose at the spa.

POTY maybe it’s a mental check up you need. Had to wait 2 hours and find cash the staggering amount of 350 Baht. Sit on your poty, problem solved.

Most of the time I go to the local Pran Buri or Hua Hin government hospitals.

 

No complaints, apart from the possible waiting time, having to take ones own toilet paper, and in some areas a bit warm as no air con.

 

95% of the doctors have been great, all the nurses have been very helpful.

 

From 8.00 am to 5.00 pm (Monday to Friday) there is an express service on the 5th floor of the purple building of Hua Hin Hospital - it costs Baht 450 extra, but has air con, free wi-fi and reading material.

 

And the cost of medications in government hospitals is about 20% of what you would pay in a private hospital.

 

I also acquired a severe UTI about Christmas day last year, and went to Hua Hin Hospital.  Given some tests and antibiotics.  After a few days came back to Hua Hin Hospital, and the doctor recommended admission on IV antibiotics as the oral antibiotics were not working.  I asked for a private room, which I was given, with three very nice vegetarian meals a day, for 4 days.  Total cost of 4 days-stay in private room and all meds - Baht 12,279.  No complaints; even had some English language TV programmes.

  I have recently been an in-patient at a private and government hospital.

About 2 years ago, extremely unwell, my Thai friends took me to Bangkok Christian Hospital. No waiting, onto a stretcher, tests and immediate admission with a lung infection. 6 days in hospital, total bill - 158,000 baht

3 weeks ago I had surgery to remove an aggressive skin tumour on my hand at Chulalonkorn Hospital. 3 hour operation to cut, clean and skin graft. 4 days in 2 person room, all up 25,000 baht.

Yes, there were some negatives at Chula, namely waiting for appointments and Thai language deficiency, but I know where I will be going in the future.

 

First class A/E treatment at Khon Kaen Provincial Hospital following a collapse due to low blood glucose. Drip, X-ray, monitoring and seen by 4 Doctors. Offered to admit me to conduct investigations, however I declined. Bill 800 baht.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thats why having good insurance counts for a hell of a lot.

I want to choose who touches my body when I'm ill.

If I got the Big C or needed a hip replacement, or heavy heart surgery, or even my colonoscopy every few years I want to be in control of who my attending doctors are, surgeon and oncologist is.

Going public is cheap, you're absolutely right ... but you have zero control as to who prods or cuts into you. 

BNH and other privates are cheap ... if you have great private coverage ! .... (my) insurance covers the lot (not a red cent passed over other than my yearly premium) and I get treated like a king ... and no waiting to date ????

Damn they even great me at the door and escort me personally to m y doctors rooms.

Coming from OZ ... Thai premiums insurance hospital treatment is like ... a, a beautiful dream.   

 

1 hour ago, Paul Laycock1 said:

POTY maybe it’s a mental check up you need. Had to wait 2 hours and find cash the staggering amount of 350 Baht. Sit on your poty, problem solved.

Your behind the times mate, already had the mental checkup 5 years ago.

Sad that you cant see the humour in my post.

Good to hear these stories gives one hope but it would help if you provided the area you got treated and the hospital because in general not all private or public are the same right?????

I'd agree in general about the government hospitals, if you are really sick they will fix you and you won't be forced to wait. The main problem is that often there are not enough doctors or there are no doctors qualified or trained in some procedures, so you can end up being transferred or having to wait.

 

I have used my local government hospital a few times due to emergencies in the past. Most of the time they were excellent, and fixed me up quickly. Obviously they are not as "nice" inside as most of the private hospitals, often they use generic drugs rather than brand name, but the bill will certainly reflect that.

 

I was given a pain killer injection at a private hospital and it cost 1500 Baht, the same pain killer only the generic was given to me at a government hospital it cost 4 Baht.

I have to admit that being kept in on the main ward overnight is no fun in my local hospital, it ended up in a fecal fiasco last time, with drunken lao kao thais shitting their oversize pampers and then making out it was play dough during the night. Not pleasant for the nurses either. I didn't notice the first night I was in as I was a bit sick, but by the second night oh how I wished I was home.

Colin, no offense, been there done that got the tee shirt.

Government hospitals, even in small towns, still have dental departments and fillings (200 Baht) and even crowns (1500 Baht) are a good price. The bigger hospitals will do root canals (up to 2000 Baht).

57 minutes ago, Formaleins said:

I'd agree in general about the government hospitals, if you are really sick they will fix you and you won't be forced to wait. The main problem is that often there are not enough doctors or there are no doctors qualified or trained in some procedures, so you can end up being transferred or having to wait.

 

I have used my local government hospital a few times due to emergencies in the past. Most of the time they were excellent, and fixed me up quickly. Obviously they are not as "nice" inside as most of the private hospitals, often they use generic drugs rather than brand name, but the bill will certainly reflect that.

 

I was given a pain killer injection at a private hospital and it cost 1500 Baht, the same pain killer only the generic was given to me at a government hospital it cost 4 Baht.

I have to admit that being kept in on the main ward overnight is no fun in my local hospital, it ended up in a fecal fiasco last time, with drunken lao kao thais shitting their oversize pampers and then making out it was play dough during the night. Not pleasant for the nurses either. I didn't notice the first night I was in as I was a bit sick, but by the second night oh how I wished I was home.

Agree. Never been an in-patient but went with my Thai Mother-in-Law up to the ward as she was checked into Khon Kaen Provincial Hospital. Seen (and smelled) worse in geriatric wards in NHS UK hospitals but there were extra beds along both sides of the corridors. Zero privacy and people were falling over each other due to the number of relatives lying everywhere. Having said that my wife became one of them as she stayed overnight on the ward to provide food, drink and personal care for her Mum.  

I got fantastic care at a government hospital a double hip replacement. When I first went to be checked the Doctor told me need to replace right away. But said there is a waiting list then he told me can do in a week. That was 11 years ago and they are still great and I walk 5 to 10 miles daily. I was working so covered by  SS  My bill was Zero Nothing at all.

1 hour ago, Tropposurfer said:

Thats why having good insurance counts for a hell of a lot.

I want to choose who touches my body when I'm ill.

If I got the Big C or needed a hip replacement, or heavy heart surgery, or even my colonoscopy every few years I want to be in control of who my attending doctors are, surgeon and oncologist is.

Going public is cheap, you're absolutely right ... but you have zero control as to who prods or cuts into you. 

BNH and other privates are cheap ... if you have great private coverage ! .... (my) insurance covers the lot (not a red cent passed over other than my yearly premium) and I get treated like a king ... and no waiting to date ????

Damn they even great me at the door and escort me personally to m y doctors rooms.

Coming from OZ ... Thai premiums insurance hospital treatment is like ... a, a beautiful dream.   

 

Being an inpatient at BNH is anything but being treated like a king. Yes, they will treat you like an emperor if you agree to everything they try to sell, but don't dare to show any doubt about the recommendations. Had a nurse taking blood: 1st time lab made a mistake, 2nd time she didn't collect enough to be tested, 3rd time "there was no result". Surely, I was not without cholesterol. 

 

45 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

Agree. Never been an in-patient but went with my Thai Mother-in-Law up to the ward as she was checked into Khon Kaen Provincial Hospital. Seen (and smelled) worse in geriatric wards in NHS UK hospitals but there were extra beds along both sides of the corridors. Zero privacy and people were falling over each other due to the number of relatives lying everywhere. Having said that my wife became one of them as she stayed overnight on the ward to provide food, drink and personal care for her Mum.  

 

Yes, the conditions on the wards of most government hospitals are very bad. Quality of the medical care is good, but staying in these places is a serious nightmare. Especially -- but not only - in the hotter months.

 

I can't even bear visiting someone in one for more than an hour or two.

 

Fortunately most government hospitals have private and semi-private rooms available at extra cost and they are very much worth it. Depending on the room, in the regional hospital near me they range form 1000 (4 bed room) to 1800 (private room). If covered by the 30 baht scheme they will subtract from the room cost the cost of a ward bed which is 400 where I am. So the patient pays only the difference. For a farang of course you pay the full. But oh is it worth it.

 

Problem may arise if you do nto have someone to stay with you or if you are considered unstable, in those cases they might insist on your being in a ward.

 

 

6 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

Yes, the conditions on the wards of most government hospitals are very bad. Quality of the medical care is good, but staying in these places is a serious nightmare. Especially -- but not only - in the hotter months.

 

I can't even bear visiting someone in one for more than an hour or two.

 

Fortunately most government hospitals have private and semi-private rooms available at extra cost and they are very much worth it. Depending on the room, in the regional hospital near me they range form 1000 (4 bed room) to 1800 (private room). If covered by the 30 baht scheme they will subtract from the room cost the cost of a ward bed which is 400 where I am. So the patient pays only the difference. For a farang of course you pay the full. But oh is it worth it.

 

Problem may arise if you do nto have someone to stay with you or if you are considered unstable, in those cases they might insist on your being in a ward.

 

 

Useful information, thanks. The local private hospital admitted a Brit a couple of months ago who had had a stroke. He died a month later. The bill was 1 million baht, and the hospital wouldn't release the body from their refrigerator until it was paid.

I'll tell my GF if that situation arises, get me admitted to a government hospital, private room. Because she's the one who stands to lose.

Yes, private hospital costs are excessive.....much of the profit is medicine mark ups....you can ask your doctor for a prescription and get at your local pharmacy.....doctors do get pressure to add unnecessary medicines....

 

still going to go to a CM private hospital for certain disciplines like GI eye and skin....good previous experiences....have a private GP for internal medical issues like blood urine work.....wanted me to return in 3 months for follow-up but I said 6 just to manage costs better....

As long as you don't make the mistake of purchasing meds from them, outpatient charges at private hospitals aren't bad (though of course still much more than a govt hosp) and for many people -- maybe most -- worth the added convenience. But when it comes to being hospitaluzed things get very expensive very fast.

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12 hours ago, beachproperty said:

My son had a sore (some sort of infection) to his toe.

Went to Bangkok Hospital was told it would cost 15000 Baht to drain and for antibiotics. Said "No Way" and paid the consultation fee of 720 baht.

Went to the local clinic (which I should have gone to first) where they put the drain in and antibiotics cost 200 baht.

 

So I agree.....Public or clinic over private hospital any time!

Did he cry? just asking

A few years ago when the late King was ill I went to pay my respects at Sirijaj Hospital. I walked around the grounds for a while and observed numerous Thais also paying their respect at the statue of his father in the grounds. After about an hour I decided to take a short cut through the public side of the hospital as it was a hot day and I thought it would be a cooler way to get back to the boat. The sight I saw was one of the most shocking I have ever seen - the corridor was lined with emergency patients on trolleys with crying and concerned family members around virtually each one. They must have been upwards of 30 patients - some of them no doubt dying from heart attacks or strokes or some such emergency. The fear and anxiety was etched on each face and a couple of doctors and nurses were running around almost in a panic deciding which one to treat first. I left the place in tears I have never seen so much suffering and fear in one place, sheltered life I have lived. 

11 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

Thank you for your input...good information...I have long suspected the private hospitals vs government hospitals are like going to spa vs a massage parlor...????

Which one gives a happy ending?

5 minutes ago, champers said:

Which one gives a happy ending?

Happy ending may be had most everywhere...depending on your skill in negotiations...

1 hour ago, hereforgood said:

I got fantastic care at a government hospital a double hip replacement. When I first went to be checked the Doctor told me need to replace right away. But said there is a waiting list then he told me can do in a week. That was 11 years ago and they are still great and I walk 5 to 10 miles daily. I was working so covered by  SS  My bill was Zero Nothing at all.

What country are you from?