Medical needs. Help needed

[rowan]

Is there anyone out there who has experience of caring for victims of a stroke? My friend has had a massive stroke, is currently in hospital but may soon be discharged to her home. Her husband will not be able to care for her on his own and will need help. Is there someone who could undertake to do this please?

[TRNCVaughan]

Where does your friend live?

[kibsolar1999]

i guess your friend is here in north cyprus?

the first minutes, hrs, days, weeks after a stroke are most important.
in lefkosa they only can do the emergency care for the first days or say 2 weeks.
then your friend is sort of stable and will be discharged.

after that, your friend must visit a rehabilitation center, preferably in britain, asap.
there she will need to stay, most probably, for several weeks.

you will not find anyone here who is able to supply such a service.

make sure that she is fit to fly and accompany her to britain.
make sure that at the british airport the ambulance already is waiting for her or call one once you are there.

there is no other way. otherwise she never speaks again or never can walk again or move her hand.... or whatever.

[rowan]

Thank you but she has been under hospital care since her stroke.
TRNC Vaughan, she lives near Esentepe

[kibsolar1999]

"hospital care" is not rehabilitation.
she will be stabilised in lefkosa only and then send home with "good wishes" and "time will tell"...

believe me, we had two strokes here in N cyprus, germans involved.
the one stayed 2 weeks in lefkosa and then left accompanied to germany, the other one stayed 10 days and then was flewn out via larnaca.
both stayed 6-8 weeks in a rehabilitation center.

your friend MUST leave the TRNC.

[tomsteel]

rowan, I am a long-time retired UK qualified chartered physiotherapist, I live near Esentepe and have some experience in dealing with CVA patients post-incident. Your query and the responses so far may help the situation, but -
Regarding leaving the TRNC. This poses many questions:
Is she fit to fly?
What nationality is she?
If British or Irish is she entitled to NHS rehabilitation services (ie resident in UK or Eire)? These centres are not just walk in and accept me - referral is needed.
Does she have medical insurance including air care transportation, medical attendance etc?

Usually on discharge from hospital the patient would be assessed to see what health state exists. What can she do for herself, speech, strength, co-ordination, acts of daily living (toilet, kitchen safety, stairs, walking) etc and balance. This is usually completed by an Occupational Therapist who can then call on other specialist - Speech Therapist, Physiotherapist, Specialist Nursing etc help.

I guess my point is that at the moment all that can be done is planning - taking into consideration flight acceptance, NHS treatment acceptance if eligible or what here?

I know of a male who suffered two strokes here, was treated in Lefkosa, came home and is fine. I assessed him, gave him reassurance, a physical fitness regime, some adaptive changes in the home and the confidence to move on etc. He is now in good health and spirits. Fortunately his speech was unaffected, as was/is his sense of humour. He also lives near Esentepe - strange coincidence.

Incidently, Germany has a far better system of rehabilitation health care than the UK. I worked there for 5 years and was staggered at the facilities, treatments and varied modalities available there. Spas, salt spas, massage and for 3 week block periods. Mind you, the patient had to be eligible and that could be the stumbling block in this case if the patient is not a UK citizen and registered as living in the UK. I fall into that category so no NHS treatment for me.

[rowan]

tomsteel, I have sent you a private message

[kaiserphil]

Incidently, Germany has a far better system of rehabilitation health care than the UK. I worked there for 5 years and was staggered at the facilities, treatments and varied modalities available there. Spas, salt spas, massage and for 3 week block periods. Mind you, the patient had to be eligible and that could be the stumbling block in this case if the patient is not a UK citizen and registered as living in the UK. I fall into that category so no NHS treatment for me.

Quite correct Tom. Having had both knees replaced in Germany, I have had two of these 3-week sessions (called "Kur"), and found it excellent.

The health service here is first-class, and when I eventually leave Germany, I shall really miss it.

[kibsolar1999]

but, pls take in consideration that germany has no NHS system as in britain.

everybody who wants to receive these "first class" services, must be insured = pay.

you will get insured by law (eg, when you are legally employed or registered unemployed) or, as a "after working life case", eg beeing a pensioneer.
or, sometimes and, you ought to have a private health insurance, eg when you run your own business or abroad for special services.. as in an emergency, air rescue.

btw, if you become sick, you will get free treatment in all of europe eg, the south side.
you only have to show your "health card"... and for North Cyprus (part of europe , but laws ar enot implemented) you can hand in receipts, which will be refunded.

[rowan]

tomsteel, I have tried again

[tomsteel]

Not here. Try email - rasteel@hotmail.com

[Lovelife]

Rowan

Have emailed you

LL

[tomsteel]

kibsolar, be assured if you are not a UK resident, you have to return your EHIC to the UK. I have been there, despite appeal. If you are not resident in the UK, you are not entitled. As a TRNC 'full time visitor', there is no entitlement to treatment in any EU country. The rules are quite clear, if a tad unfair having paid 50 years + into the system. The BHC promised over a year ago to seek UK guidance - nothing yet. The BRS sought a similar appeal at the same time via the appropriate UK Minister - nothing yet.

[Agobard]

You could give Maddy Gergin a ring - she lives in Esentepe. Her phone number is 0533 8456647. She is a very well qualified nurse (Swedish but speaks perfect English and Turkish) and has a lot of experience in remedial care etc. Lovely lady.

[rowan]

Agobard, many thanks, will pass this info on.

tomsteel, not sure what is happening but none of my messages seem to have reached you. Is it possible for you to pm me with your contact phone number so I can pass it to my friends husband and he can talk directly to you. Thank you

[tomsteel]

rowan, your emails are getting through and I have replied with a contact number. Still no PMs though.

[Agobard]

Re my previous post, I have spoken to Maddy Gergin and she would be happy to help. She has experience of rehabilitation of stroke victims.

[rowan]

many thanks to all who have offered help/advice

[kibsolar1999]

just a PS

tomsteel
ok, this is difficult territory... in terms of "compare systems"...
in germany, the health system is an insurance based system. from wages, (approx) 8% of the brut income is deducted for the health insurance, another 8% payed from employer. 16%. another mandatory 1,2% (plus 1,2% employer) is deducted for the "nursing care" insurance.
so, 9,2% directly to be payed. 9,2% indirectly.
plus of course, the usual income tax (sometimes higher as in the UK), plus for that what you call national insurance.

a tax based NHS system is a bit cheaper to run, as the government allocates the needs and can control-cut costs.
in return it would mean, better service = higher taxing.

in summary we could say : as a resident in the UK, you escape it quite cheap = you have more in your pocket as eg, an average german.
to where this leads...you can seen here:
(see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c ... _of_wealth)
UK 5th, 170.000 US dolar per adult, germany 18th, 115.000.
this also your gov knows.. and they expect pensioneer expats (which obviously can affort to live abroad) to have a private insurance, or, expect them to come home and spend the money in the UK (the flow off must be billions of pensions which are transferred abroad) and continue to contribute to "the system", whith all the advantages and disadvantages.

the next thing which might happen after a brexit you can see here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/pensions-ret ... of-brexit/
they may freeze your pensions!
cit:
..... While some believe the Government will be able to negotiate protections for expat pensioners in the event of a Brexit, it is worth noting that the UK has not arranged a similar deal with a non-EU country since 1982....

"they call you back home" you could say (is this sort of an "emergency call"???) ... and if brexit becomes true, you might will be the last "expat generation"....

in return you also could say: expats in favour for a brexit must be somewhat quite wealthy....