BRS - Near East Hospital - Latest Position

[dippersgirl]

Email from BRS received yesterday. Last time I posted some information from the BRS, people that they were grateful that I did, therefore I a doing it again.

Near East Hospital

Latest Position

Dear Member,

Following a survey of BRS members some three months ago, Michelle Martin and I met with Near East Hospital representatives to voice our concerns about the treatment and service being experienced by those who responded.

Subsequent to the meeting we submitted requests for changes in their procedures and it was our hope that a follow-up meeting with their senior management would be held shortly afterwards and that this would pave the way for a new protocol agreement that would incorporate many of the requested improvements.

The requests that we made are reasonable and reflect the feedback from our survey. They include:
- Greater transparency on pricing
- No money "badgering"
- Introduction of a written agreement between the hospital and the patient
- More English speaking nursing staff
- Improved after care
- Introduction of a formal complaints procedure

Regrettably, as has happened on previous occasions, there has been no response and we have to conclude that Near East Hospital are not willing to engage with your committee representatives to improve their service to our members.

At one time, Near East was an automatic choice for members but other hospitals have now enhanced their facilities and are able to provide first rate medical cover at competitive prices. These other hospitals have also taken on board many of our concerns.

We acknowledge that a number of members have received excellent treatment from Near East Hospital, particularly where Dr Turk and his clinic has been involved, However, the result of our survey highlighted that a significant majority of respondents were extremely dissatisfied.

Our present health policy is to monitor the effectiveness of hospitals and try to lobby for change where those changes affect our whole membership.

It is not the role of the BRS to recommend hospitals nor to make any decisions that affect those satisfied members from continuing their relationship with Near East Hospital and obtaining favourable discount terms. However the BRS would be failing in its duty if we did not point out those areas of concern that we would like to change and to inform you that we can no longer become involved in trying to address any areas of dissatisfaction with the hospital. After all you can only achieve a result if there is a dialogue between the parties.

It is still our hope that Near East Hospital management will recognise the need to engage with your committee representatives and if so we will inform you of any developments.
Regards

David

BRS Chairman

[Loobyloo]

My main issue with hospital care here is there disregard of issues such as MRSA, the NHS may not be perfect but at least it acknowledges the existence of this problem and testing is done on all patients as routine. Hand hygiene is more likely to be followed in U.K. At a health screening in Near East I was appalled that the technician testing urine then went straight to taking blood no gloves, or hand washing!!!

[Panchocat]

I can only speak as I find and having been admitted to the NE three times in the last eighteen months, the last time for a big operation, I have found the care and hygiene excellent. All of the doctors and nurses used the hand gel as routine.
There was a male English speaking care assistant called, Ozden, who said if there were any language problems he would be available. Having had an operation in Turkey last year at a university hospital outside Istanbul, the Near East is a palace of cleanliness compared to that!
Loobloo I have seen what you describe at both the Kolan and Girne State hospital and refused to have blood taken until hands had been sanitised. Did you speak up about it at the time?
For me the NE would be my first choice having had bad experiences at the Kolan.
Yes at the end of the day it is a business but all costs have been clearly stated to me before any procedure has been undertaken.

[Hammerhead]

My wife was in agony after 3 major ops and I rushed her to the hospital and there only thought was money and in my rush I forgot to take any ,so I had to take her home again ,no empathy I told them I would bring the money back but no ,money first

[terry2366]

I think we are under the impression that hospitals provide care and are sympathetic sadly here it is not so . My friend had a circulation problem so they amputated his toe. Didn't work 6000 tl . Next they wanted to put a vein in his leg 26000 tl he would have the op on the Friday and stay till Thursday . First stop cash room pay the money had op and was discharged on the Monday 3 days early no refund of costs sadly he died within 24 hours. I believe in their eyes it's like stalling a can of beans the more they can sell you and the dearest way. So impersonal.

[Hector]

Dippersgirl. Thank you for the valuable update on the Near East Hospital. Neither I nor my family will now even consider using that hospital.

[Hammerhead]

I think we are under the impression that hospitals provide care and are sympathetic sadly here it is not so . My friend had a circulation problem so they amputated his toe. Didn't work 6000 tl . Next they wanted to put a vein in his leg 26000 tl he would have the op on the Friday and stay till Thursday . First stop cash room pay the money had op and was discharged on the Monday 3 days early no refund of costs sadly he died within 24 hours. I believe in their eyes it's like stalling a can of beans the more they can sell you and the dearest way. So impersonal.

That's frightening,

[frontalman]

I could say lots, but I won't! Just two things, Turkish is the official language here, I suggest everybody learn some. We have always used the state hospitals, perfectly adequate for most things and cheaper too.

[sophie]

Having used the Dr Fuat NEU a number of times for Ops, I find its a bit like the Curates Egg. One thing I have never had any complaints about though was the cleanliness, which at all times was exemplary. But overflowing catheter bags, blood swabs left in the basin in the shower room and a blocked loo for 18 hours are matters as to why I absolutely categorically refuse to set foot ever again in the Kolan. As to NEU I'm not going to compare department Heads with department Head. Some are wonderful and some are just downright rude and arrogant. However I much prefer the Girne Dr Fuat NEU hospital to the Lefkosa original NEU hospital. At the latter I have found they are far more interested in all the students wandering about than they are with patients, particularly those who (like ourselves) found ourselves in the basement. It took a maintenance man to eventually show us where we had gone wrong! One thing is patently obvious to the most basic of intelligence...….If Dr Turk were to move again, then the NEU Dr Fuat hospital, would really catch a cold.

On the last three occasions, I have been offered more financially beneficial "packages" doing the wheeling and dealing myself, than the printed prices, less BRS discount.

As to the State, I agree they are far the best in an emergency and the very last thing anyone thinks about is money. Whether I would want to spend any great length of time in there, I'm not so sure about.

[jofra]

A point - the first three posts date from November 2016 - just over two and a half years ago.....
Personal experience - in March, my wife went to our (UK) GP, very "bad cold"/chest infection (2/3 weeks) and all-over rash - was given ointment and told "chest is clearing up - your holiday will do you good".
Week later - desperately fight to breathe; take her to Dr Fuat hospital - extremely rapid response, numerous doctors, nurses, tests, suspecting at first heart attack - fortunately not so, but severe chest infection, fluid on lungs etc. As their resident lung specialist was in Turkey (conference), an immediate transfer to the NEU at Lefkosa, where again speed of exam and treatment was first-class (they also discovered that the rash was food-poisoning!)
All the time she was there (with me also there), nothing was too much trouble, and when she was allowed home, she was told that she should return immediately if there was the slightest problem....
Obviously, in any country it's the "luck of the draw", and some have good experiences while others suffer horrendous problems - but for us, nothing but praise for both hospitals!

[terry2366]

As you say luck of the draw but sometimes frightening my own experience was a shock . I was walking over the pedestrian crossing at midday in 2013 when I was hit by a car driven by an Italian eu minister in a fiesta. A transport and road safety minister in fact . I sustained leg injuries and was taken to hospital my leg was loose below the knee so moved at right angles to the knee. At the hospital I was given aspirin and a they put a loose bandage on and discharged me. I couldn't walk and was in pain. The next day I go to a doctor in Girne who gives me two injections which I was taken in a taxi to pay for then an X-ray again in a taxi. I ask how much it will cost he said how much have you go I had 3500 tl that's ok he said. A doctor came from Lefkosia later and put a cast on and I had it for six weeks. When it was taken off by Lefkosia doctor I asked if I could have a receipt for the 3500. He was shocked and went to the local doctor and had a huge row later coming back and giving me 2200 back he had been paid 400 to put the cast on and take it off. .so really sometimes it's not luck of the draw but luck of the doctor
Said doctor is still practicing in one of the bigger private hospitals.

[kerry 6138]

I was hit by a car driven by an Italian eu minister in a fiesta. A transport and road safety minister

Did you claim back your expenses from the driver's insurance?

[Bullsnil]

I'm with Jofra here, first posted in 2016, use the hospital regularly and have had no problems. Can the BRS give an update on the standing at this hospital?

[Sewage]

Hi just to say problem there is management.I know iam getting old but I find the medical staff are mostly students as for the dr,s there very arrogant l have going there for over 2 years now my mother is a patient there,I could say a lot but this is CYprus.i might be old fashioned but every time iam there most of the staff there don’t even bother looking up to see who’s coming in there busy on their bloody mobiles we were forbidden to do this when on duty in the uk



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