Any experience with Phyathai SriRacha or Sirikit Naval Sattahip?

[THAILIBAN]

Hi all,

 

in order to avoid travelling to BKK every know and then, I am curious to know of member's experiences at the forementioned hospitals, particularly the neurology department.

Not interested in BPH's neurology department, as I had a very poor experience there (though by all fairness, they have good Docs in other departments, like Cardiology or Urology).

Phyathai even advertises neurological treatment (mostly stroke prevention etc)  in the "Pattaya business supplement" and have an English native speaker as contact person, so this could suggest they have skilled neurologists there. Is that the case and can anyone comment?

Same for Sirikit Naval Sattahip, do they have a neurology department there and if so, are the Docs skilled? It could be I need to undergo a lumbar puncture (only if the Doc says it is needed, of course) which is very very pricey in any of the private hospitals, and 20K less or so would make a big difference to me.

Looking forward to any comments on those two places, thanks

Edited August 24, 2017 by THAILIBAN

[KittenKong]

1 hour ago, THAILIBAN said:

Phyathai even advertises neurological treatment (mostly stroke prevention etc)  in the "Pattaya business supplement" and have an English native speaker as contact person, so this could suggest they have skilled neurologists there. Is that the case and can anyone comment?

 

I have no experience of any Thai hospital for inpatient treatment but I have used Phyathai for outpatient treatment (dental, health checks and blood pressure treatment). They are OK, with the usual provisos of not buying medicines from them if it can possibly be avoided (and it usually can).

 

Gavin, the native Brit you mention, is a very useful asset for them. You should email him and ask him about their staff.

 

PIH have always been acceptable for outpatient treatment for me also, again with the inevitable medicine proviso.

 

Edited August 24, 2017 by KittenKong

[Sheryl]

Both of these hospitals have been used by many TV members, as with any hospitals experiences will vary with doctor.   

 

I do not  recall any who saw a neurologist though and for something that  specialized it is often best to come to Bangkok, though I could advise better if I knew what the problem was. I am having trouble imagining what it is that would require repeated visits to a neurologist and a Lumbar Puncture.

[JusticeGB]

The Navy hospital deals mainly with "war type" injuries. Phayathai is now part of Bangkok Hospital Group. 30% cheaper than Bangkok Pattaya and has all the equivalent doctors. The staff are not so good at speaking English. I use Queen Savang Hospital in Sri Racha. Long waits but 90% cheaper. They have just got a Neurologist again.

Edited August 24, 2017 by JusticeGB
Didn't make clear where hospital was

[glasswort]

I had a stent inserted at Queen Sirikit Sattahip hospital a couple of years ago and the surgeon and staff were brilliant. O.k. it is a public hospital so waiting is always a problem. I would add that I paid THB179,000 for a procedure for which BPH wanted THB650,000. In fact the heart surgeon that did the procedure also consults at PIH as do many others both there and other Pattaya hospitals.

 

I have read another post indicating that Queen Sirikit being a navy hospital mainly treats "war type" injuries - what on earth that means I have no idea.

 

I had a bad experience at Phayathai when having a check up a few years ago.

[i claudius]

I use Queen Sirikit .very good hospital just have a longer wait .
Ps its not a war injury. Whatever that may be

Sent from my SM-A720F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[ross163103]

No personal experience but had an 82 year old friend go in to Queen Sirikit Naval for bladder cancer and came out in a body bag because they couldn't perform a tracheotomy in time. The original operation went well, then after they started giving him morphine for the pain he got where he couldn't breathe. It was night time and there was no regular doctor on call. Not sure if they gave him too much morphine and that caused the breathing problem or what........long story short, he didn't make it out of the hospital alive. Admittedly he wasn't young but I knew him for many years and he was pretty fit for his age; got check-ups yearly and didn't drink or smoke. Queen Sirikit Naval is cheap, relatively speaking, than most other hospitals, but obviously if you pay with your life..........it's not.

On a side note; BHP originally diagnosed him with prostrate cancer and told him it's so slow growing not to worry about it at his age, few years later he learned that it was a misdiagnosis and it was actually bladder cancer and had spread, so I guess you could say it was a screw up from both hospitals.

[KittenKong]

18 hours ago, JusticeGB said:

The Navy hospital deals mainly with "war type" injuries.

 

I dont see that, and if so they cant be very busy. When was the last war in Chonburi? Or the last Thai naval engagement for that matter?

 

 

18 hours ago, JusticeGB said:

Phayathai is now part of Bangkok Hospital Group. 30% cheaper than Bangkok Pattaya and has all the equivalent doctors. The staff are not so good at speaking English.

 

They do have that native Brit working in their international department as previously mentioned, and when I go there I either see doctors/dentists who speak English or they provide a special translator/assistant who follows me round.

One thing I like about Sri Racha is that there are a lot of Japanese expats working there, and I get the impression that they expect things to be done properly. Western expats as one finds in Pattaya often seem to be more forgiving.

 

PIH in Pattaya actually have Filipina nurses working there as translators/assistants on the front desk.

[KittenKong]

18 hours ago, glasswort said:

I had a bad experience at Phayathai when having a check up a few years ago.

 

Please elaborate.

[Sheryl]

There are good and not-so-good doctors at all hospitals and  not a hospital in Thailand (or the world) that someone will not have had a bad experience. So this line of inquery isn't going to get you very far. Focus on  specific doctor recommendations.  Again, OP, please advise what the problem is, and why you anticipate needing a lumbar puncture as that is most unusual. I can't suggest doctors without more information.

 

Military hospitals in Thailand provide complete free health care for members of the military and their families, certainly not limited to "war injuries".  They will also treat civilians, including foreigners, on a fee basis. Not many Thais do this since they can get free care at other government hospitals (most of the Thais you will see there will be military/retired military or  family of same - for them this is free) but for foreigners who have to pay anyway they are often a good option.
 

Ross 163103-  Respiratory depression fro morphine does not require a tracheotomy or even intubation, just reversal with a drug given IV which a nurse can do.

Tracheotomy (as opposed to intubation) is needed only in cases where the upper airway is blocked, as in swelling from an allergic reaction (if so, more likely from an antibiotic than the morphine) or severe airway constriction as in severe asthma.

 

I very, very much doubt there was no doctor on call anywhere in the hospital. More likely doctor didn't arrive in time (there are only a few minutes in which you can make a difference in a situation like that), or doctor arrived, tried to intubate and couldn't because of severe edema  and didn't know how to do a tracheotomy and there was no one immediately available who did.  Rather different than no doctor in the whole hospital at night.

 

I once saw a patient die in a fully staffed western ICU, in the day time, under these circumstances.  Intubation failed and by the time someone arrived to do a trach (maybe 5-10 minutes), too late.

Need to be careful about taking relatives versions at face value, they are unlikely to fully understand the medical details. That they believe the hospital was at fault does not mean this is the case.

 

 

[JusticeGB]

On 8/25/2017 at 10:04 AM, KittenKong said:

 

I dont see that, and if so they cant be very busy. When was the last war in Chonburi? Or the last Thai naval engagement for that matter?

 

 

 

They do have that native Brit working in their international department as previously mentioned, and when I go there I either see doctors/dentists who speak English or they provide a special translator/assistant who follows me round.

One thing I like about Sri Racha is that there are a lot of Japanese expats working there, and I get the impression that they expect things to be done properly. Western expats as one finds in Pattaya often seem to be more forgiving.

 

PIH in Pattaya actually have Filipina nurses working there as translators/assistants on the front desk.

I went to the Naval hospital to ask if they could perform a bladder cancer op their reply was they were mainly set up to deal with war type injuries! 

 

I didn't say the staff at Payathai couldn't speak English they just do so much better at Bangkok Pattaya where the prices are far higher. I have had excellent treatment as an inpatient at Payathai. 

[THAILIBAN]

On 8/25/2017 at 10:04 AM, KittenKong said:

 

 

 

They do have that native Brit working in their international department as previously mentioned, and when I go there I either see doctors/dentists who speak English or they provide a special translator/assistant who follows me round.

 

 

 

I am aware that virtually all such hospitals do have interpreters who can follow you round, but I guess their services will be added to the bill, which means you could actually go to an expensive hospital in BKK (Bumrungrad, BNH), in the first place, as almost everyone at those places speaks English. Or am I wrong?

[THAILIBAN]

On 8/25/2017 at 0:49 PM, Sheryl said:

There are good and not-so-good doctors at all hospitals and  not a hospital in Thailand (or the world) that someone will not have had a bad experience. So this line of inquery isn't going to get you very far. Focus on  specific doctor recommendations.  Again, OP, please advise what the problem is, and why you anticipate needing a lumbar puncture as that is most unusual. I can't suggest doctors without more information.

 

 

 

the lumbar puncture is for suspected dormant / latent bacteria that could have made it to my brain via the blood/brain barrier after some sort of abscesses above the eye/nose and causing havoc there. It is a complicated case and so far, no Doc has been able to determine what the problem could be. I thought the cost would not be more than a CT/MRI scan for example, as the procedure only takes 15 minutes or so (sure you need to have a rest and being monitored after in a day room), but I was wrong. It is extremely expensive (quoted by a very expensive hospital, though)

[Sheryl]

If you had bacteria in your blood or brain you would be severely ill, in an ICU.

 

I very, very much doubt a lumbar puncture is going to be indicated.

 

I assume you have some sort of neurological symptoms for which no cause has yet been found. If so you would do best to come to Bangkok as run of the mill neurologist is not likely to be of much help.

[ross163103]

On 8/25/2017 at 5:49 AM, Sheryl said:

I very, very much doubt there was no doctor on call anywhere in the hospital. More likely doctor didn't arrive in time (there are only a few minutes in which you can make a difference in a situation like that), or doctor arrived, tried to intubate and couldn't because of severe edema  and didn't know how to do a tracheotomy and there was no one immediately available who did.  Rather different than no doctor in the whole hospital at night.

 

I once saw a patient die in a fully staffed western ICU, in the day time, under these circumstances.  Intubation failed and by the time someone arrived to do a trach (maybe 5-10 minutes), too late.

 

 

Need to be careful about taking relatives versions at face value, they are unlikely to fully understand the medical details. That they believe the hospital was at fault does not mean this is the case.

Point taken on all that; the facts--not the relatives versions, were, he went in for a bladder cancer operation, survived that, a day later couldn't breathe, then died. Not sure who was at fault, doesn't matter now. The original question was, "Any experience with Phyathai SriRacha or Sirikit Naval Sattahip?" I was just answering the OP's question since my dead friend couldn't. 

[KittenKong]

On 30/08/2017 at 8:19 PM, THAILIBAN said:

I am aware that virtually all such hospitals do have interpreters who can follow you round, but I guess their services will be added to the bill, which means you could actually go to an expensive hospital in BKK (Bumrungrad, BNH), in the first place, as almost everyone at those places speaks English. Or am I wrong?

 

I cant comment on the other hospitals but I have never seen any item on a Phyathai bill for translation services. Just the normal (or abnormal) "hospital fee" of about 400B per visit which seems to cover everything and nothing.

I generally dont need the translator there because all the doctors I see seem to speak enough English for my purposes. But once or twice a translator has followed me around.

 

I cant comment on complex in-patient treatment there as I have never had it.

[lelapin]

I had 7 stents inserted at Phyathai last year done over 2 visits. Only have good things to say about the quality of service I received from doctors and nurses.

[Bill Miller]

I registered at Queen Sirikit last week and will go tomorrow for blood draws pending cataract surgery.
Pretty good experience so far. Several nurses spoke fair English, and were quick with cell phone translation when we got stuck.
The doctor spoke excellent English, and was the first to pull out a stethoscope and listen to heart and lung sounds. She also did some tests for possible stroke indicators. She said "You will come here from now on for cardiac and diabetes issues". I guess she thinks the Provincial hospital is not as well equipped for such, and I think likely correct.
Not a lot of actual "doctoring", mostly getting preliminary records established and basic vital signs. Bt 480 total charge, which I think is the farang base. A bit more than the Provincial clinic, but I have higher confidence. 

$15.00 is a breeze. My Medicare co -pay for an office visit was $20.00 last time around in AZ. I think it is supposed to be free, but that is SNAFU in the US. Nobody knows how to handle the billing re:Medicare. I am sure it is ridiculously Byzantine.
Anyway, that is my experience so far with Queen Sirikit. Helpsd that it is pretty close to my "hometown", as well.

[smo]

11 hours ago, Bill Miller said:

I registered at Queen Sirikit last week and will go tomorrow for blood draws pending cataract surgery.
Pretty good experience so far. Several nurses spoke fair English, and were quick with cell phone translation when we got stuck.
The doctor spoke excellent English, and was the first to pull out a stethoscope and listen to heart and lung sounds. She also did some tests for possible stroke indicators. She said "You will come here from now on for cardiac and diabetes issues". I guess she thinks the Provincial hospital is not as well equipped for such, and I think likely correct.

If possible, could you give out the name of this doctor which I assume is now your primary physician at this hospital? and were you able to get the first appointment with her pretty soon (in a couple of week time as opposed to a month and a half for example.) Thank you much in advance.

smo

[Bill Miller]

18 minutes ago, smo said:

If possible, could you give out the name of this doctor which I assume is now your primary physician at this hospital? and were you able to get the first appointment with her pretty soon (in a couple of week time as opposed to a month and a half for example.) Thank you much in advance.

smo

I did not get her name, but shall if I see the same doc. At the provincial clinic I saw whoever was on duty, so did not think about having an MD of record.

My return appt.for lab work was one week after  registering, and to see the opthamologist was initially scheduled for two weeks out but I  had a conflict, so they agreeably made it for a week later.

I do not yet know when the surgery will be.

[smo]

On 11/23/2017 at 11:59 PM, Bill Miller said:

I did not get her name, but shall if I see the same doc. At the provincial clinic I saw whoever was on duty, so did not think about having an MD of record.

My return appt.for lab work was one week after  registering, and to see the opthamologist was initially scheduled for two weeks out but I  had a conflict, so they agreeably made it for a week later.

I do not yet know when the surgery will be.

thanks for the additional info and best wishes for your upcoming surgery.

[FracturedRabbit]

I had a CT scan for a heart condition last week at Pyathai. I was impressed with the doctor I dealt with (Montri) who spent a long time talking to me and never tried to sell me anything(!), and  had  a free translator service which I didn't really need because the people I dealt spoke OK English. When I was a about to have my scan and lady turned up who was there to make sure I understood what was happening and answer any questions. Good service, friendly place.

[THAILIBAN]

On 11/23/2017 at 11:59 PM, Bill Miller said:

I did not get her name, but shall if I see the same doc.

 

 

yes please be so kind and do so as it will help others in the future, and I am sure Sheryl is following most such threads and will add the name of recommended Doctors to his/her extensive list

[Bill Miller]

On 11/25/2017 at 1:45 PM, THAILIBAN said:

 

 

yes please be so kind and do so as it will help others in the future, and I am sure Sheryl is following most such threads and will add the name of recommended Doctors to his/her extensive list

As it happens I did not see the same doctor. I think for GP type visits maybe it is on a "whoever is available" basis?
I do hope and anticipate I will see the same specialists when the time comes.

 

[Bill Miller]

As a general update I was at Queen Sirikit for most of the day. An amazing number of blood labs, EKG, chest X-ray, and nine medications, several of which are changes that I approve of, and about an hour's consultation with the doctor. A bit under 6,000 baht. I am pretty sure that is at least one decimal place less than the US cost, and I would still have about $2,000 to go on my deductible.

 

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, Bill Miller said:

As it happens I did not see the same doctor. I think for GP type visits maybe it is on a "whoever is available" basis?
I do hope and anticipate I will see the same specialists when the time comes.

 

I don't think one can chose one's doctor there.