VHI Swiftcare an experience in how healthcare should be
I got sick over the weekend and as usual tried to battle it out.
By Monday I was in terrible state, bent over with back and bowel pain, I headed to work but couldnt last the day, most days I drive by the sign for VHI Swiftcare sign near Mahon Point and decided to give them a try.
What a revelation !!!!
This is how healthcare should be.
Seen in five minutes, wonderful care, everyone introduced themselves by their first names and the service was superb, I was seen by a doctor, had a number of tests, five x-rays, a diagnosis and was in and out in 65 minutes.
It was a little expensive at €180 but I would have paid almost the same combined if you take the cost of my doctor and a public hospital, I would also have probably lost the whole day queuing for x-rays in a public hospital.
Twitter: topgold
17th February, 2009 at 8:42 am
Are you on a family plan with VHI?
Never knew about it. Must look at my policy and see what I need to get coverage. See it has one in Swords. Somebody has thought of something at last to tackle our third world A&E depts.
Sian x (http://twitter.com/giftsandvoucher)
Twitter: shanekny
17th February, 2009 at 8:50 am
Pat, I hope you are well now.
In many places in the world, with a semblance of civilisation, money will buy good medical care with the frills and flowers. Think the westerners queuing up for surgeries-combined-with-reclaimed-soul-guarantees in India’s 5-star hospitals!
Curious to hear if you think health is best run in the private sector or is the NHS like in Britain a better idea? Or someplace in the middle (two tiered NHS, as our media here screams every now and then)?
Thanks. Gute besserung!
@bernie
not on the correct plan for €30 visits to Swiftcare, am changing today
Been twice, once with my sister who had broken her foot in Malta & second time was torn ligaments in my ankle – both times it was absolutely superb & good value for money.
I used the one at DCU, Dublin before and it was such a great experience (twisted ankle aside). X-ray, Consultation, Crutches, Doctors note for work, all under the hour. I doubt I would have had my details taken in Beaumont by that time.
Maybe they had read your blog and knew there’d be trouble if they didn’t take care of you!! Glad you were looked after, hope your feeling better – EOin
Had a similar experience. Was sick over Christmas and ended going to the one in Dundrum on Stephens Day. Couldn’t believe the quality of service, it was excellent. Just a pity I didn’t realise it was open on Christmas Day.
Wow. Total revelation to me. Never knew it existed. Now on “Quinn – We Will Use Your Money For Whatever The Fuck we Want”, so might consider switching again now. Anyone know if there is one of these things in Limerick?
Am also a Quinn member and have been there a few times. Same coverage as VHI plans but def great value for money.
Twitter: topgold
17th February, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I’ll have to drive to Cork for VHI Swiftcare but that’s better than spending the night on a trolley in a dimly-lit hallway.
@Bernie, they’re also at the Whitfield Medical Centre, off the Cork Road in Waterford.
Has Ireland switched to an insured-based health serice? When I’ve been there and I got sick I had free treatment at the “public” hospital (luckily not something serious, I was out in about 90 minutes)
Twitter: shanekny
18th February, 2009 at 4:03 pm
VHI offer a great service full stop and this simply shows that they are trying to improve all the time. advise anyone to join VHI for a complete Service in every department
Completely agree Pat, I was there on Christmas Day and even though it cost €105 it was worth every penny, excellent service and god knows the HSE could learn alot from these clinics and the service they provide !
@cla
you are pretty unique there I would think
PAT, had exellent treatment there in clean airy surrounds recently following unfortunate closure of car boot on my head.Do’nt ask! Adrian.
Bernie you can be seen even if you’re not a VHI customer, just means you won’t be able to claim anything back. For x-ray, consultant fee, crutches & bandaging on my ankle it all came to around €170, I got about 50% back on my VHI claim but I’d still prefer to pay up than sit in a waiting room for a day in one of the public ones.