The new Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin

[Johan]

I agree with you on that one, we were asked to pay first the 100 000 baht for the surgery and my wife was going to die, we told them to do it and we paid before she left the hospital as we didn't had that amount in Thailand at that moment. They didn't want to accept an international wire from my offshore bank, i had the money but needed 3-4 days for the transfer, they are really assholes.

[caller]

I have to say Johan, that IMHO you should cut a little slack to the local folk you have chosen to live amongst, rather than label them in the way you do.

If I was living there, then for sure, I would want the best possible treatment I could get, but unlike the UK, its clear that all are not treated equally(ish) with hospitals being one of the most high profile examples of those that have against those haven't.

And most Thai's haven't and die as a consequence.

[Johan]

Same as USA, people who don't have money don't get treatment, this is not only Thailand. We do have enough money in the world to save everyone but the money is sleeping in bank accounts of a few elite guys. Without releasing that money people will die. That money will never be released anyway, nothing will change. People will continue to die, this is how our world works, is bad but that's how it is.

[Big Boy]

I think we've had enough about who pays for what etc. Can we get this please?

Dr Mike has asked:

I would be happy to know --What are you looking for in terms of Medical care from our new hospital??

This is your chance to influence the services in your new hospital - please don't waste it.

[buksida]

I think professionalism and correct diagnosis for more complicated cases would be a huge plus for any hospital here - one of the biggest complaints about Thai hospitals is mis-diagnosis, you can go to two or three and be told something different every time. The granddaddy of all hospitals, Bumrungrad, is usually the point of reference and the last resort for farangs that have been messed around elsewhere and want to know what is really wrong.

[coconut]

Welcome Dr. Mike,

It would be great to see international standard emergency care/response in Hua Hin.
One thing would be fully equipped ambulances with professional paramedics to respond to accidents and other emergencies etc. To many times I have seen injured people just picked up off the floor / road with little concern for potential hidden injuries. Not sure if that is part of the scope of the new Bkk Hospital in Hua Hin.

Regarding posters comments about costs, I would suggest it would be wise to factor in medical/accident insurance of some sort into the yearly budget. Last year I was walking in Bali and got hit from behind by a motorbike that had swerved to avoid water and come on to the side of the road. Took me completely by surprise, knocked me to the street. Fortunatley I came away with just severe bruising, some minor cuts. A few degrees this way or that it could have been a broken back or fractured skull. I had let my insurance laspse, thinking I would just be 'extra careful'. Well, I was extra careful but the motorbike driver was not.

My point is hope for the best, plan for the worst, i.e. get insurance. That way you will have peace of mind to a certain degree, no matter what happens. I realise some people are on a tight budget, in that case a general 'rainy day' fund that you keep separate might do.

[T.I.G.R.]

Jeeezzzzzz................this isn't about insurance or who can afford it. He's asking you what HOSPITAL SERVICES you want......You, the expat, who's reading an expat forum. We're not going to get many chances to put our two cents in so don't waste this one!

[sparrowman]

Let's be quite clear about this - NHS care in the UK is NOT free.
It is paid for through NI contributions and general taxation. It is only free at the point of delivery

[moja]

facilities for ladies would be nice - mammograms etc instead of having to go all the way to Pranburi

[caller]

But going back to Coconuts post, maybe the new hospital could consider a scheme where you pay monthly? Sorry for mentioning the UK again, but at my Dentists I'm on a scheme which gets me 'free' check up's and reduced fees for the cost of emergancy treatments and for things such as Crowns etc, which can easily be in excess of 1k. This isn't the same as insurance per se as such as it just relates to the specific surgery.

[PeteC]

In 24 hours this thread has had 667 views. Close to a record possibly. That means many people reading and interested, but few comments. As at least two posters have said, this is the only chance to possibly influence the services provided. Dr. Mike would not have asked the foreign community for input unless instructed by his management to do so. This means to me a director's management meeting is scheduled shortly to discuss any feedback. Make hay while the sun shines. Pete

[tonymaroni]

Welcome Dr. Mike,

Fluent English speaking doctors, that I can understand when they talk to me. There is a difference between competency in English and fluency when speaking. I lived in Pattaya a few years ago and visited BKK hospital in Pattaya. I stopped going there after having a very difficult time understanding them, I actually moved to Pattaya International for care. Having been in Thailand for 10 years and gone to many of the big hospitals for care this is my pet peeve. Thanks for asking for input.

Doc

[duan]

Dr Mike,
I am delighted that your new hospital is coming here and agree with previous posters who see a need for a top quality Emergency and ambulance facility capable of dealing with heart attacks/strokes etc.
I would also welcome a first class out patient clinic for general medical problems with good English language skills.
I know the Bangkok Heart Hospital is part of your group and have noted your comment about Open Heart surgery being carried out in Bangkok but I would very much hope that you will have an English speaking cardiologist based exclusively in Hua Hin with a stress ECG facility and possibly a Cath theatre as well as a helicopter air ambulance facility to transport urgent cases up to Bangkok for open heart surgery.
You have mentioned providing primary and secondary but not third level care in Hua Hin but it would be a great help to all of us living here with no background in the health industry to have a full list of all areas to be covered in Hua Hin as well as those which will only be covered in Bangkok.
I would also be very grateful if you could keep us advised in this Forum as and when the various facilities open.
Many thanks for giving us all this opportunity to comment.

[Khundon1975]

Hi Doctor Mike, thanks for giving HHAD members the chance to comment on your plans for a hospital in Hua Hin.

For me I would like to see a good cardiology department, one where I could be sure that I would get 1st class treatment if I was suffering an MI or similar. Lets face it, the medical emergency (in my case a heart attack) that is an immediate threat to my life, is my main worry. Other problems that may kill me slowly, can be dealt with by a leisurely trip to BKK if needed.

A good ambulance service, with trained paramedics who know how to give bolas injections of clot busting drugs and are able to use a defib machine, would be an advantage as well.

As for an air ambulance, well, if after being stabilized, I have to be shipped to BKK, then I am more than happy to pay to be flown by helicopter, as I doubt that keeping a fully trained chopper, plus crew, on standby in Hua Hin would be financially viable.

I don't have medical insurance, so I'm quite happy to slap down a wad of money at reception, if it means I survive to spend the rest.

PS, pretty nurses would be good as well.

[Dr Mike]

Can I try to answer some questions.
Ambulance Service --- Our Ambulances are called Mobile Intensive care units and the equipment and staff are excellent--De Fibs and Cardiac monitors are carried. Two MICUs have been ordered for HH.
Pediatrics: Of course,we will have general pediatricians, some children needing sub-specialty care will have to go to BKK.
ENT: I am sure we will have a ENT clinic , but let me check to be sure.
Discussion on free care: I will not comment on UK hospitals as I know nothing about them> Bkk Hospital has no relationships with the NHS or British Hospitals.

At the end of the month the doctors, nurses and staff have to be paid. If we were to throw open the doors and treat people who cannot pay, then those who can pay will have to pay for those who can't.
We get NO, let me repeat that NO government money. On occasions ex-pats have contacted their Embassies asking for help. The Embassies have no budget for this.