Gripe of the day - What is yours?

[dirtydog]

Have got tooth ache today, seems to be a wisdom tooth causing the grief :mad:

[maviczap]

Got gut ache, caught a bug that my daughter had yesterday.

[Stingo]

With the advent and apparent proliferation of the internet in our lives I opted to embrace 'Internet Banking' and have been enjoying this aspect of control over my finances for some time now. On the strength of having this wonderful facility I opted to go paperless, i.e. stop receiving bank statements. This has been the situation now for at least the last five years.
It would appear that there has now been a change in the legislation in what information banks are obliged to keep you informed about. I now receive a letter (hard copy) kindly informing me that there is a new statement available for me to view on line.

You can't make this stuff up.

And breathe.

[maviczap]

My bank sends me an email to say I've got a new statement or notice of change to my account?

[SV650rules]

With the advent and apparent proliferation of the internet in our lives I opted to embrace 'Internet Banking' and have been enjoying this aspect of control over my finances for some time now. On the strength of having this wonderful facility I opted to go paperless, i.e. stop receiving bank statements. This has been the situation now for at least the last five years.
It would appear that there has now been a change in the legislation in what information banks are obliged to keep you informed about. I now receive a letter (hard copy) kindly informing me that there is a new statement available for me to view on line.

You can't make this stuff up.

And breathe.

The Banks don't make the data laws, they just have to comply.

I can understand banks and other authorities sending letters to an address as part of their security, HMRC will send a text message to your registered mobile number with a unique code ( valid for 10 minutes ) when you log on and need to access your account and others should do it as well. It is just good practice to use multiple lines of communication.

[Stingo]

My bank sends me an email to say I've got a new statement or notice of change to my account?
I get an email as well. I just thought it was a good idea going paperless. However rules seem to conspire against us at times.

[maviczap]

I get an email as well. I just thought it was a good idea going paperless. However rules seem to conspire against us at times.

Crazy, makes no sense at all

[Bibio]

The Banks don't make the data laws, they just have to comply.

I can understand banks and other authorities sending letters to an address as part of their security, HMRC will send a text message to your registered mobile number with a unique code ( valid for 10 minutes ) when you log on and need to access your account and others should do it as well. It is just good practice to use multiple lines of communication.

what if you dont have a mobile.....

[admin]

I get an email as well. I just thought it was a good idea going paperless. However rules seem to conspire against us at times.I don't mind this so much but my bank started sending me emails telling me that I hadn't logged in recently, that was irritating because its a joint account and my wife logs in frequently. They then upped the irritation level by sending me texts saying the same thing. I've now removed my mobile number.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Sir Trev]

what if you dont have a mobile.....

This is something I was wondering as I have a business phone number and bank account and TSB threatened to go with electronic signatures via an app to log in. I don't want to use my personal number with them and I don't want to use mobile banking at all if I can help it. Luckily TSB had "a bit of a headache" on the IT front and they've shelved it for now.

[timwilky]

Data/Account protection

Daughters bloke has divorced his ex and he has kept the house. They are trying to sort out utilities. But they are all in the name of the ex... When they phone to change bank account details for direct debits... We need to talk to Mrs... Err she doesn't live here anymore and the reason you are sending nasty letters about non payment is the accounts are closed we want to give you new bank details.


Sorry sir we need to talk to the account holder.. and round and round they go.

[Bibio]

Data/Account protection

Daughters bloke has divorced his ex and he has kept the house. They are trying to sort out utilities. But they are all in the name of the ex... When they phone to change bank account details for direct debits... We need to talk to Mrs... Err she doesn't live here anymore and the reason you are sending nasty letters about non payment is the accounts are closed we want to give you new bank details.


Sorry sir we need to talk to the account holder.. and round and round they go.

send a letter to threaten the utility company with legal action within 14 days and remind them that they will be responsible for any fees incurred.

get a solicitor to talk to them. its what i had to do regarding my mums. remember and tell the solicitor to send the invoice for his fee to the utility company.

its upto the utility company to chase the "account holder" and has nothing to do with the "new" householder.

[maviczap]

In the same theme as Stingo. I used Paypals 12 month interest free offer to buy something and set up a standing order to pay it off within the 12 months.I got a letter from Paypal today, saying I wasn't paying enough to clear the balance & I'd incur interest fees if I din't increase the monthly payment.

Thing is, I paid the balance off mid August!

[garynortheast]

Effing cars. Leaky EGR valve, possibly blocked DPF, and no money.
:-(

[maviczap]

Effing cars. Leaky EGR valve, possibly blocked DPF, and no money.
:-(

Can't remember which year Zafira you bought, but I got one of these to get rid of the EGR once and for all

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/70-EGR-Valve-Blanking-Plate-for-Saab-TiD-Opel-Vauxhall-2-0-2-2-DTI-EGR-Wahler-/181320290605?hash=item2a3788112d

When I got mine, it came with the 'Cheat' to fool the ECU, but its a seperate item now, or you can get it mapped out?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/05-EGR-AGR-Valve-Simulator-for-OPEL-VAUXHALL-FIAT-SAAB-1-3-1-9-2-4-JTD-CDTI-TiD-/181732167203?hash=item2a5014ce23

Appreciate its money you might not have, but once you do, then it did work. Cheaper than a new EGR

Twas the only thing that spoilt my experience with the Zafira

[garynortheast]

In the scheme of things a new EGR isn't too pricey tbh Mav. £43 delivered, although I can ill afford even that atm! It's the potential cost of the DPF clean or replacement which is the big headache.

It's also now an MoT fail to remove the EGR valve and replace it with a blank. :-(

The DPF light is on and has remained on despite running an active regen on it. For about 20 miles after the regen the engine ran with no smoke then it tried to run another cleaning cycle. It's dumped a load of excess diesel into the oil now so I'm also going to have to drop that and refill it with fresh oil and a new filter too.

[maviczap]

It's also now an MoT fail to remove the EGR valve and replace it with a blank. :-(

Dang! Good job my poor old Zafi went to the scrap yard

[Red ones]

If the DPF is regenerating then it should be fine. They can get too bad to regenerate which is a real pain. The engine then just stops working because the exhaust blocks.

I think it's long been illegal to remove a DPF from a cat that had it factory fitted. It's just now a failure at MOT if it APPEARS to have been tampered with.

Try cleaning the EGR with a drop of petrol. Usually works for a few months.

I'm guessing you have the 1.9 CDTi. Check the actuator arm for the swirl flaps. It's a thin bar over the top of the inlet manifold. They fall off when the flaps get encrusted with soot. It's not a cheap fix if you can't do it yourself.

I feel your pain. My Zaf had the swirl flaps, EGR, DPF, gearbox, clutch, and alternator all go over the years. I didn't bother fixing the AC or electric windows. I sold it when the glow plugs seized in the head. I was getting close to the RAC sending me Christmas cards. The neighbours were already hiding from me on cold mornings.

[garynortheast]

If the DPF is regenerating then it should be fine. They can get too bad to regenerate which is a real pain. The engine then just stops working because the exhaust blocks.

I think it's long been illegal to remove a DPF from a cat that had it factory fitted. It's just now a failure at MOT if it APPEARS to have been tampered with.

Try cleaning the EGR with a drop of petrol. Usually works for a few months.

I'm guessing you have the 1.9 CDTi. Check the actuator arm for the swirl flaps. It's a thin bar over the top of the inlet manifold. They fall off when the flaps get encrusted with soot. It's not a cheap fix if you can't do it yourself.

I feel your pain. My Zaf had the swirl flaps, EGR, DPF, gearbox, clutch, and alternator all go over the years. I didn't bother fixing the AC or electric windows. I sold it when the glow plugs seized in the head. I was getting close to the RAC sending me Christmas cards. The neighbours were already hiding from me on cold mornings.

I'll check the swirl flaps actuator arm later today, thanks for that piece of info Red ones.

Broke out the credit card and bought a new EGR on ebay, along with oil and filter. Should be here Tuesday/Wednesday. Once that's fitted and the oil and filter are changed I'll get out onto the motorway and have one more go at and active regen cycle. If that doesn't work then it's either one of these (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Diesel-Particulate-Filter-DPF-for-Vauxhall-Zafira-1-9-CDTi-Fitting-Kit-/142618780596) or a visit to these people (https://www.avontuning.co.uk/blog/vauxhall-zafira-19-cdti-dpf-egr-removal)

[garynortheast]

Yet another gripe from me, sorry.

About to break two promises I made to myself and have so far stuck with.

The first one was never to do another job that I didn't enjoy, made over 25 years ago. Well that is about to go out of the window with some pretty crappy, poorly paid part time work in the offing. Customer service/admin/basic IT work for a company selling ride on toys. Thrilling! Er... no... I know, I know, needs must and all that, but I'm not looking forward to it and I'm treating it as a purely temporary thing until either my work picks up again or something better turns up.

The second is about never taking out another loan. I'm about to take another loan in order to clear an overdraught, pay a large outstanding bill (to someone who has been incredibly patient and understanding, but who doesn't deserve to be kept hanging on any longer), and to cover me for the month I'm going to have to work before I get paid.

I just need to get through the next 12 - 14 months. :-(

[Seeker]

The joys of homeownership. This is going to sound ungrateful; I have inherited my Dad's house which is great, I bought my first house when I was 22 and was a homeowner until I lost my job in the US in 2009. So, it feels good to be back owning a home until I move a cabinet and find damp which is one of those (many) things that I don't feel qualified to tackle. It looks like it's rising, the damp course appears to be intact but it roughly lines up with a porch and the seal around that door needs attention, but I'm guessing.

Now, where's the insurance policy I only received two weeks ago...

Did I mention if I switch off the outside security light which is, inexplicably , plugged into a 13A socket upstairs, it blows the circuit breaker for the rest of the outlets. Dad knew about that, got an electrician who said: "I know your ring main is wrong but I can't figure out why!" (that was 15 years ago). As a testament to the original owner, he proudly demonstrated a cooker hood he'd fitted - only he hadn't connected it to the flue, it just vented straight back into the kitchen.

So, thanks Dad, I think.

[SV650rules]

Most cooker hoods are designed to be either vented externally or will blow back into same room ( can move a baffle inside hood ), they have a normal grease filter and a carbon one ( carbon one needed for internal venting), not ideal to blow back into room but some people do it because they either can't or don't want to knock a hole in the wall, or don't want to blow hot air outside.

A light that blows a circuit breaker when it is turned off ( is it earth leakage type or just overcurrent ? ) is a worry, don't know what electrician meant about ring main not being right, they are pretty simple and should be checked for earth and neutral crossed.

As for damp, buy a dehumidifier, it is a good thing to have in any house as a dry house has a lot less problems than a damp one, the humidity sensing type ( ebac are made in UK ) switch off when humidity reaches a certain level, cost about a pound a week to run, and they give more heat back to the house than they use in power ( when water is condensed it give up the energy it took to evaporate it, which is how reverse cycle air conditioning returns over 2KW in heat for every 1KW of energy used to power it) and dry walls and ceilings are better insulators than damp ones.

[Seeker]

Most cooker hoods are designed to be either vented externally or will blow back into same room

I know. There was a flue partially installed, the hood was set to vent outside but there was 4 inches of flue missing.

The "house" is a dormer bungalow (late 70s vintage, I think) and I think things went awry when the dormer was installed. Although there is a strange bump in the floor too - like they had carpeted over a hamster. It's one of the coldest places I have ever lived in - maybe it was built over a cemetary?

The seller was proud of the garage (prefab concrete!) but when closed the door from the inside you could see sky. Dad admitted later (after Mum had passed) it was a mistake buying it - you can guess whose idea it was.

I have a dehumidifier but won't use it until I've had someone take a look at the damp patch.

The house electrics have been added to the "to do" list. Dad lived here for 18 years, it can wait a few more months. I'll stop showering with the toaster for now.

[Red ones]

I'll check the swirl flaps actuator arm later today, thanks for that piece of info Red ones.



Broke out the credit card and bought a new EGR on ebay, along with oil and filter. Should be here Tuesday/Wednesday. Once that's fitted and the oil and filter are changed I'll get out onto the motorway and have one more go at and active regen cycle. If that doesn't work then it's either one of these (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Diesel-Particulate-Filter-DPF-for-Vauxhall-Zafira-1-9-CDTi-Fitting-Kit-/142618780596) or a visit to these people (https://www.avontuning.co.uk/blog/vauxhall-zafira-19-cdti-dpf-egr-removal)



Be careful with EGR & DPF removal. As the website says, "Our DPF Removal service is sold for off-road use only. Removal of a DPF will almost invariably make your vehicle illegal for use on a public road. This is not legal advice and if you are unsure if this applies to your vehicle, please seek further advice."

It makes the car not only illegal (which is a problem of you get caught) but also an MOT failure. If the MOT centre is vigilant then it will get spotted.
Those eBay prices are refreshing.

On the job front - you never know. I once took a job as a stop gap and 23 years later (and several new jobs) I can say that first one introduced me to something I enjoy. I also one took a shizz job. I was warned by colleagues about it but I ignored them as I wanted the pay rise. God it was awful and the company were shifters who cut every corner possible. I left in months but now I know every trick contractors try in the industry. Occasionally the boss wonders why I don't spend weeks banging on about contractor performance, because I only need all one question most of the time.

My point is, something's the carp job is the one where you learn most even if you leave and go somewhere else.


Sent from my iPhone XS Max

[Red ones]

My gripe is a boiler health check. It was fine before but now isn't working.

The engineer can't get back until tomorrow's so that's another day off. I can guess what's wrong and I'll bet they'll try claiming the excess for the repair. I'm arguing it's maintenance induced failure. Let's see how far that goes.


Sent from my iPhone XS Max

[timwilky]

Dentist this morning.


I am never a fan of them and my last one dumped me for not attending appointments. Never received an appointment. yes we sent you 3 on phone 07...., err that was my old work phone and the phone/number was replaced so never received.


So 3 years later, I know I need to get things sorted, a couple of broken teeth, 2 fillings dropped out so plucked up the courage. Now to warn the bank manager! So much for the NHS being free at the point of delivery.

[Sir Trev]

Good luck Tim. Things are a lot better these days and my dentist treats me like a customer instead of a patient, although that is probably an attempt to delve further into my wallet...

[timwilky]

Well 3 root stumps to be extracted and two minor fillings.


As there is nothing on top of the roots, crowns gave way years ago and former dentist just left them they might as well go. There is evidence of infection under one. Probably the reason I felt the need to see a dentist. No pain, just a bit uncomfortable.

And not a big hole in the bank balance so a win

[Red ones]

So much for the NHS being free at the point of delivery.



Conservative government in 1989. It's a Thatcher legacy. I believe the phrase of the day was "The NHS is safe in our hands"




Sent from my iPhone XS Max

[Bibio]

dentists are not part of the NHS.

[ophic]

There's a big hole in my bank balance because the doggies' teeth work too flippin well. On each other. They can be stupid blighters sometimes... ](*,)

[Sir Trev]

The local Lido has quietly changed its opening hours. Lady Poppy and I cycled down there this afternoon for a swim (it's about two miles away) only to find they're now closed between 2 and 5:30. "Most of the lifeguards are uni students so we've only got a few available right now" said the helpful counter staff. Wycombe has its own uni so surely there will be just as many students about who would make just as good lifeguards, said I. Yes but they only start their term next week or the week after so they're not around yet. Well surely that means the home-grown ones have not left the area yet... I give up. Basically we just cycled home again as even the cafe on the park next door was closed, despite there being dozens of people about in the nice warm weather. Opportunity lost by both businesses there.

[Red ones]

dentists are not part of the NHS.



That is the point. The NHS free dental check was abolished in 1989 by Thatcher, along with the free eyesight test.


Sent from my iPhone XS Max

[Littlepeahead]

New turbo needed on my car. £2434 quoted. Ouch.

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[Littlepeahead]

And another gripe, I work with someone who has the most terrible eye wateringly bad BO.

The whole office just stinks. I spend most of the day with my face at the open window.

He's already been told to sort it out by the line manager once, it seemed to get better for a while but now it's as bad as ever.

I've asked for an appointment with the HR director tomorrow to say that I cannot work in an environment where I feel physically sick thanks to someone's poor personal hygiene.

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[timwilky]

And another gripe, I work with someone who has the most terrible eye wateringly bad BO.

The whole office just stinks. I spend most of the day with my face at the open window.

He's already been told to sort it out by the line manager once, it seemed to get better for a while but now it's as bad as ever.

I've asked for an appointment with the HR director tomorrow to say that I cannot work in an environment where I feel physically sick thanks to someone's poor personal hygiene.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
One of my colleagues was critisised for his foul feet on his annual appraisal and fumed. He knew they were bad, his socks soaked in a bucket in the garage before going in the wash. His wife was a nurse and persuaded him to see the GP.
It turned out to be a fungal infection and 6 weeks later he was cured. I had to share a electron microscopy lab in the 80s with a bad BO instructor and hated every minute of what should have been a facinating experience. These days I am fortunate enough to have learned from what happened to my colleague and say YOU STINK SORT IT OUT!

[kaivalagi]

These days I am fortunate enough to have learned from what happened to my colleague and say YOU STINK SORT IT OUT!

Exactly, say it as you see it...tell him he's got a BO problem and it's making the work environment difficult...it doesn't need to be done in front of others, just 1 to 1, he may not realise he smells THAT bad...

[Red ones]

I had to share a electron microscopy lab in the 80s with a bad BO instructor



They smelt SO BAD they even gave lesson in it?? Incredible.


Sent from my iPhone XS Max

[Littlepeahead]

He's already been told. That's the difficult thing. I know because I asked for this to happen in his June appraisal and I understand it was raised.

He is a lovely guy and I think it's either medical or stress related.

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[Sir Trev]

None of us had the heart to tell a colleague about his terrible halitosis about ten years ago. We all cringed somewhat at the Chrimbo meal when he sat down first and none of us sat next to him, prompting a "do I smell or something?" from him. Again, to our shame, none of us said yes. And none of us suggested he stop eating sardine sandwiches, which were probably not helping.

Anyone with a BO/foot odour/bad breath colleague has my sympathies!

[kaivalagi]

He's already been told. That's the difficult thing. I know because I asked for this to happen in his June appraisal and I understand it was raised.

He is a lovely guy and I think it's either medical or stress related.


I'd just tell him every time you catch a whiff that he smells and it's not pleasant at all.

Maybe it was mentioned but for whatever reason his appraiser found it hard to get the point across properly...i.e.

"and by the way, it's been mentioned that you have a body odour problem from time to time, could you please try and address it"

instead of

"it's been mentioned that you have a serious daily body odour issue, and it's making people in the office upset, it's been added as one of your personal stretch objectives which will be evaluated next time around"

The guys already been talked about on here, I bet he would have sooner just had you tell him quietly that he stinks....

[shiftin_gear98]

Yeah LPH - Name him on here then show him your phone.
That should sort it out.


OMO to the rescue.


Or find something really stinky to eat, when he complains about the smell just laugh. When he queries you laughing you have the perfect ice breaker to tell him your (insert food type here) ain't the only thing round here that ****ing reeks.

[Littlepeahead]

I spoke to HR and they will address it. I don't want to be unkind to him, he's a good guy and a hard working colleague. I do think it's likely medical.

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[Sir Trev]

It's a tricky subject and too much coming from a colleague could be taken as bullying or discrimination. As long as they actually do something it is usually safer to let HR deal with it so I don't blame you.

[Heorot]

The stink is coming from bacteria that live on the persons sweat. The problem is that even if he improves his personal hygiene, the bacteria will live on in his clothes and a 40 degree wash wont kill them. So the bacteria is constantly replenishing from the clothes.

[Bibio]

i sort of have the same problem depending on what deodorant i use. for instance i have to stay away from Lynx or it makes me smell like "cat spray" or "cheesy bo", no matter how much i spray the smell turns within an hour or so.

weird thing is my sweat dont smell that bad, i just sweat a lot due to ill health so i have to use a deodorant but not to cover the smell.

[Luckypants]

Gripe today is a power cut due to the wind that had put paid to work for the day since 1pm. Hopefully back on by 8pm. Can't go out or anything in case the power comes back and I can get online again. Walking the dogs will be dodgy in this too.

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[Bibio]

second time having to ask a care worker to leave due to them not knowing WTF they are doing.

[littleoldman2]

You need to change Tories to politicians they're all as bad as each other.
Mind it was nice to see Labour admit they got it wrong to liberalize the betting advertising when in power. Just need to add loans and solicitors / claim co's advertising to the list.

[maviczap]

Driving in the ****ing rain today, got flashed to get out of the way, not once but twice by different cars.

First one was by some girl in her Fiat 500, I was doing 65 and driving to the conditions, I hope the cop car with its blues and two's that passed me a short while later was after her.

Then some tosser in his blue Porche did the same on the M25, I was in lane 2, the outside lane was clear.

It's Sunday, why do you need to get somewhere so fast, in such **** weather

[Craigg]

bleeding master cylinders! aaarrrrggghhh

[shiftin_gear98]

Work.

[Sir Trev]

Recruiters who expect you to change your plans to suit them. No, I cannot attend an interview today at 1pm, I have a delivery coming I have to sign for, I've been waiting for it for over a week and no I am not going to re-schedule it as it's already on the way from the depot according to a text I got earlier. If I get accepted you will make a lot of commission from me for very little work so get on the phone and see if they can do 4pm instead which works fine for me. I still have a life when I'm between contracts and I am not just sitting here ready to go in suit and tie waiting for the phone to ring!

4pm now confirmed as fine for the client so all is now calm again.

[maviczap]

It's supposed to be my day off, the sun's shining but I'm attending a team leader meeting in London. I'll get the time back, but mm maybe not the weather

[garynortheast]

Not wanting to rub salt into the wound Mav but this...... (http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php?p=3092625&postcount=3400)

[maviczap]

Not wanting to rub salt into the wound Mav but this...... (http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php?p=3092625&postcount=3400)

Tell me about it Gary! Well it got even better, my boss was on a train that got stuck at Watford, and abandoned the meeting as he was going to be stuck there!

We met our new top boss three grades above me, so not entirely wasted, but we'll still have to have our team leader meeting. So that is another day!

Plus I got stuck at Tower Bridge tube station waiting for a circle line train, so missed the fast train home!

Still it was pleasant walking round the smoke in the sunshine, although I'm glad I don't work there on a permanent basis

[pookie]

whats mine is yours and whats yours is yours.. I don't think that's particularly equitable :(

[keith_d]

whats mine is yours and whats yours is yours.. I don't think that's particularly equitable :(


I prefer the phrasing, "What's mine is mine, what's yours - that's mine too"

[kaivalagi]

Hope your in the 75% group:

"About 15 out of every 100 men with a normal PSA level have prostate cancer. About 75 out of every 100 men with a raised PSA level do not have prostate cancer."

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/should-i-have-psa-test/

I'm not 50 yet, I wouldn't mind some peace of mind now though tbh...

[maviczap]

H'mm not good to read, fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

Good that your referral came through quick

[Heorot]

Seeker,

good luck. That is what happened with me, first appointment was within two weeks. My PSA then was 7.5. to let you know what happened to me, this is what happened.

First I had to pee past a urine flow tester. Then the finger up the bum. Then an MRI scan. It showed cancer confined within the prostate (a quarter was cancerous). I got another appointment with a surgeon the next week where I was given the different treatment options, one of which was immediate surgery to remove the whole prostate. I declined that option and went for external radiotherapy. The reason I avoided surgery was that a friend had opted for that and was having incontinence problems. Removing the prostate means removing one of the sphincter muscles that controls urination.

First I had hormone injections to shut down the prostate and three months later started radiotherapy. Seven weeks (Monday to Friday) of radiotherapy followed by another PSA test which came back as zero. That was in 2015. I was told that the non-cancerous part of the prostate could regenerate slowly over time and, if so, my PSA would start rising. I now have a test every 6 months and my last one was in September and showed the level to be 0.5.

[Heorot]

kaivalagi

I started taking the PSA tests on the advice of my Doctor when I was around 61 and then yearly. It gave us a baseline to show my normal levels. Three years later, my PSA started to slowly rise from just under 4 so I went to six monthly and then 3 month checks. After a sharp rise to 7.5 he got me the appointment mentioned in my last post.

However, I have a friend whose prostate is enlarged and has a PSA of over 22. He has been repeatedly tested and doesn't have cancer.

[Bibio]

not nice to hear Seeker.. hope it all goes well. one good thing i suppose is that your in the UK.

[shiftin_gear98]

Seeker - good luck.

[Sir Trev]

Fingers crossed for you Seeker.

[garynortheast]

Hope they get you sorted asap Seeker, not much fun to have this hanging over you.

[Bibio]

hospital charge £3.60 for 2 hour parking.

one of my pet hates... dont get me started.. lol

[SV650rules]

Thanks again for the good wishes, it means a lot. I haven't told my son yet, I'll wait for a bit more information.



Very true. I checked the US charges for prostate cancer treatment and it varies between $10,000 and $135,000 (depends where you live). https://www.futurity.org/cost-prostate-surgery/

Grimsby hospital charge £3.60 for 2 hour parking.

Wherever you are Aneurin (Nye) Bevan; a big thank you, I wish we still had politicians like you.

We had a friend in USA who had cancer and when her health insurance ran out she had to go back to work to try to pay, obviously this was very stressful and she died soon after - I think £3.60 is a bargain compared to that...

[Heorot]

Even better, parking at the Norwich & Norfolk hospital is free for cancer patients having outpatient treatment.

[Littlepeahead]

Decided to see how much plastic I could find on the beach in this tiny cove in Devon in 2 minuteshttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/5cde114519810710effaca4ebc04baff.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/33b180b368ba6f9ebdb705b0503edcf8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/11bb0f72108380000180123006c9b317.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/ce83cca6ba1f28797fade89dc09a2fab.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/ff241509ffa055e916094ba59da91cef.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/6c1a3a36d38c88d08301a8acca565bd7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/067c00cc7d773d54402bc77274734c59.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/3a812a3579e0a488a5f24dfb2b4c4b16.jpg

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[SV650rules]

Grimsby hospital charge £3.60 for 2 hour parking.


one of my pet hates... dont get me started.. lol

There are many reasons to charge for parking, it encourages those who can to use public transport, it stops scrotes using hospital carparks as free parking while they nip into local town for shopping, go on the train etc, it discourages people from staying longer than they need to (sitting in hospital coffee shop for hours chatting ) and this frees up spaces for others, it should help maintain carpark in decent condition with decent lighting etc. Pretty much every shopping centre charges for parking now.

If you are a regular patient having long term treatment or have to frequently visit someone our local hospital has a scheme to give people free parking,

[SV650rules]

Decided to see how much plastic I could find on the beach in this tiny cove in Devon in 2 minutes


Single use plastic is a massive problem. We were on a carpark overlooking the sea in Cornwall last week and there was a dodgy looking van (not a proper camper but they looked as though they were sleeping in it) - the guy opened the door and the wind got inside and blew out empty plastic bottles and wrapping - he was unconcerned as it skittered around the carpark so it collected as much as I could up and put it in one of the the large bins provided ( nobody else looked like they were going to) - but it was ironic that the van had 'surfers against sewage' sticker on it... words fail me.

[Bibio]

ikea changing the design of the multi compartment/drawer wooden box things. i have 5 of them for my fly tying stuff but wanted more but now dont do the same design. i got them from ikea as it was something that they sold for years and years exactly the same so i knew i could go back and get more if needs be. yes the new design is more than likley easier to put together but they could have at least made them the same fekin dimensions as the old ones.......

[Sir Trev]

LPH - was that a plastic spaniel you found?

[Bibio]

as long as the public and official bodies let shops sell stuff in plastic then we the public will have no option but to use it.

people that litter were dragged up, not brought up as far as i'm concerned.

[MrMessy]

Borrowed my mates Camper van to go to my daughters in London and got a Penalty Notice Charge of £250 for van not complying with emission standards? Been down again since so more could be arriving! Knew nothing about this are how are you supposed to know if you do not live in London? Thought it was only lorries that where affected. No signs to really warn you or you have to pay on the day! With Congestion charge at least they warn you to leave M11 before it affects you. Apparently old "Showmans" vehicles are exempt!

[DarrenSV650S]

£250 seems a bit steep!

[Bibio]

they should have toll booths so you can decide if you want to enter or not.

btw its up to the public to tell their gov/mayor/council to remove the congestion charge. the people pay their wages so we ARE their boss. if we the public dont want something we CAN tell the powers that be to revoke it. its not the other way round like most people think.

[littleoldman2]

Even better, parking at the Norwich & Norfolk hospital is free for cancer patients having outpatient treatment.

In Newcastle my nurses told me to pay the first hour (£1.10) and put a note next to the ticket saying "In ward 34 don't know how long I'll be, please contact the ward.... blah blah blah". Ward 34 is the chemo ward and I didn't get a ticket.

[Sir Trev]

Borrowed my mates Camper van to go to my daughters in London and got a Penalty Notice Charge of £250 for van not complying with emission standards?

There are signs all over the place, just as there are for the congestion charge, as you head towards the LEZ (low emission zone). The automated cameras don't know you've not checked eligibility so you get hit. You can probably appeal but I'll bet they say "ignorance is no excuse" and refuse to back down. It sucks but with the war against emissions getting harsher all the time I would not be surprised if the same zones, charging and fines don't spreads to other areas soon. Unless you have a very modern vehicle, with a small clean engine keep away from London, that's for sure. Or take the train from one of the new Parkway stations springing up outside theM25.

[Sir Trev]

£250 seems a bit steep!

It's deliberately punitive to make a statement and to make it something people don't just accept once in a while.

[DarrenSV650S]

These newfangled landscape snooker tables. The camera angle is so bad it's actually wider at the far end than it is tall

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1959/44317400254_3263bbff2d_b.jpg

[Seeker]

Tories and the NHS (I wish them all permanent sleepless nights)

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/nhs-latest-senior-doctors-hospitals-underfunding-accelerate-privatisation-agenda-conservative-a7808591.html

[maviczap]

Been at work since 0700, and stuck in traffic on M20 as road is closed for overnight roadworks, heading to our hotel and still haven't eaten yet. It's been a long Day

[ophic]

These newfangled landscape snooker tables. The camera angle is so bad it's actually wider at the far end than it is tall

I think you've lost your perspective. :clown:

[SV650rules]

Tories and the NHS (I wish them all permanent sleepless nights)

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/nhs-latest-senior-doctors-hospitals-underfunding-accelerate-privatisation-agenda-conservative-a7808591.html


Are these the same doctors and consultants that work both in NHS and private hospitals and clinics :rolleyes: My wife worked for NHS as medical secretary and saw what went on with consultants and doctors, they used to refer to Nuffield Hospitals as 'the golden nugget' as people were often there earning ££££'s when they had clinics booked at NHS hospitals and guess who had to make excuses to clinic patients because the doctors / consultants did not turn up on time. GP's employed by NHS only work an average 3 day week nowadays and many practices no longer have 'open' surgeries in the morning (everything by appointment, average time for an appointment in our local surgery - 2 weeks ), and are very well paid, maybe they moonlight with private health companies as well.

If the Doctors want to revive NHS they should take a pay cut and stop moonlighting in private sector.

Consultants would also see people privately for consultations and get paid ( their 30 pieces of silver ), they would then get the patients a quick appointment with NHS for treatment, bypassing the patients who were on the lists. Many doctors are in it purely for the money these days, they are as guilty as anyone for robbing the NHS. Many Hospitals (and schools) are also in debt because of the mad public / private building partnerships (introduced by tories but really taken to heart by Blair government) - they let private companies build hospitals and then charge massive rents and maintenance contracts for 30 years, when the buildings get handed back to NHS ( but they will need total rebuild or gutting and refurbishing at massive expense to taxpayer after that time anyway). This was just one of the slimey Tony B Liars ploys to be seen as being responsible for building new schools and hospitals while passing the cost on to future generations. Economists have worked out that these buildings over their 30 year life will have cost 6 x as much as if they had been built by NHS (£300billion as against £50 billion) - no wonder hospitals are burdened with debt as they pay for these facilities out of money that should be spent on patients.

[shiftin_gear98]

Stress and worry.

[Seeker]

Are these the same doctors and consultants that work both in NHS and private hospitals and clinics :rolleyes:

I have no problem with doctors moonlighting. I do have a problem with a government that is undermining a social system because they are ideologically opposed to it and try to make it look like it's inevitable.

I am opposed to doctor/nursing agencies which can hire out staff at exorbitant wages back to the NHS which trained them.

I have experience of the American medical system both my children were born there and the hospital was amazing - every medical gadget you can think of with multiple choices of the how my wife wanted to give birth. I received a yearly colonoscopy (I liked the idea if not the process), regularly PSA screening for me, breast exams for my wife but it came at a frightening cost.

My medical insurance was part funded by my employer, Eastman Kodak, and it was capped at just over $1 million/year. A couple of days in intensive care and a week in recovery would soon eat through that and that is just one bad bike accident.

https://nypost.com/2017/01/12/majority-of-americans-are-one-medical-emergency-away-from-financial-ruin/

We need to fight to preserve the NHS or the Tories will take it. Let your local MP know how you feel. If you are interested check on how many MPs have interests/been paid money by private healthcare companies.

[SV650rules]

I have experience of the Australian Medicare system, it is amazing. It is half private half public. There is set fee for treatments that you get reimbursed - if you want to go to a more expensive clinic or hospital you will have to pay the 'gap' between what Medicare will fund and what you were charged. You have to pay for treatment up front and take your Medicare ID card and your invoice to a local Medicare office ( one or more in every town ) and you can get refund same day. They control the system better than we do, and having to present a valid Medicare card for refunds prevents abuse by foreign heath tourists, you can still get treatment but you pay the whole bill. The NHS needs such a system, my wife used to work in medical system over there and test results came back same or next day, not in two weeks.

Their system is less open to abuse than our 'international health service', but if you need long term drugs or treatment ( or simply cannot afford treatment) they will give you a 'bulk billing' exemption so that all your invoices go straight to Medicare for payment. We need such a mix of public and private healthcare in UK, because our present system is abused and exploited scandalous, both by doctors and patients.

[Bibio]

people seem to forget that its THEIR NHS not the governments. just like all the privatisation that went on. we the public pay the government to do a job via taxation to do the jobs we dont want to do. thats how a government works. they work for us not the other way round.

idle hands make idle minds so if the people dont tell their government what to do then the government will make things up to do. its that simple folks.

as rules said you need to tell your MP that you as a member of the public and their boss you want to keep the NHS. if you dont then the government has no opposition and WILL sell it.

TBH i think they will start with the fire brigade as a testing ground.

[Seeker]

if you want to go to a more expensive clinic or hospital you will have to pay the 'gap' between what Medicare will fund and what you were charged

So the rich people go the better hospitals which tend to draw in the better doctors and the poor people get what's left. A 2 tier system based on wealth, no thanks.

Before the NHS was created the UK had a payment system for healthcare and the poorer people didn't get treated, it's why the NHS was created in the first place to look after everybody, not just the favoured few. We have pensioners choosing between heating or eating now, making them (and us) pay for private healthcare is not the way forward.

[littleoldman2]

people seem to forget that its THEIR NHS not the governments. just like all the privatisation that went on. we the public pay the government to do a job via taxation to do the jobs we dont want to do. thats how a government works. they work for us not the other way round.

idle hands make idle minds so if the people dont tell their government what to do then the government will make things up to do. its that simple folks.

as rules said you need to tell your MP that you as a member of the public and their boss you want to keep the NHS. if you dont then the government has no opposition and WILL sell it.

TBH i think they will start with the fire brigade as a testing ground.

We all have to remember that the better politicians CARE. They go into politics to achieve what they believe to be the right thing. That is what they are going to try their hardest to do regardless of the voters wishes. They have absolutely no intention of working for us, except when it coincides with their belief of what is right.

[littleoldman2]

So the rich people go the better hospitals which tend to draw in the better doctors and the poor people get what's left. A 2 tier system based on wealth, no thanks.


That would do for me as long as "what's left" is good enough (in my view of coarse), perfection takes a lot to achieve.

[SV650rules]

So the rich people go the better hospitals which tend to draw in the better doctors and the poor people get what's left. A 2 tier system based on wealth, no thanks.

You think that does not happen in UK, ever heard of Harley Street ? Believe me the Australian healthcare system is a model that other countries may want to follow. The NHS is a bottomless money pit where the more services they offer the more the demand rises - the NHS was originally set up to try to make sure people were fit to go to work - and offer basic healthcare, but that remit was overtaken a long time ago and now they are expected to fix everything even things caused by blatant self-abuse. Being totally free at point of use means it gets abused, it needs to be controlled better. Australia was one of the first countries to offer 24/7 drop in medical centres to take pressure off their A & E and it worked. There is too much inertia in our NHS and they are slow to accept innovations. There is also too much heirachy in our medical system, my wife said the Aussie system was much more democratic and more of a meritocracy than our stratified system, still based on the 'old boys network' and too much politics and bowing and scraping expected by the higher echelon from 'the minions' . What is the difference between God and an NHS consultant, God does not think he is a consultant....

My wife worked a long time in both systems, and she knows which one she prefers. Medical care in Aus if fine, all that happens is that those who can afford to pay will pay if they want to, neither of us went outside basic Medicare system when we lived there and did not have a problem with it, but instead of waiting a couple of weeks for an appointment and a long time for test results you could often see a doctor same day or next day (did not have to be 'your' doctor you could go to any doctor, a drop in centre or hospital A & E - they could access patients records online a long time before it happened over here) and tests were carried out by private companies and the results were usually back with a day not weeks (the competition from other companies meant they were kept on their toes, nothing like a lack of competition to breed complacency and sloppiness). No one was neglected because they were poor, but I feel the system was not as exploited as the NHS and Australians certainly looked after themselves and their health better than many in UK do, because a lot of people in UK think they can abuse their body and everything will be put right for free by the NHS.

Our NHS is great but as usual it is a case of 'lions led by donkeys' - the higher up let the workers down.

[Seeker]

Our NHS is great

...which brings us back to not letting the Tories destroy it. I've emailed my missing-in-action MP (Martin Vickers) multiple times in the last week letting him know how I feel. He stopped responding 18 months ago (and I'm polite).

I think MPs should only be allowed to serve (hah!) for 10 years, or to age 60, whichever comes first.

[Seeker]

The Grimsby hospital car park. The basic problem is that it is not big enough. It has a license plate scanner that will only allow you in if there's a space but you don't know where the space is so you have to prowl around slowly only to find other cars prowling and you end up snarled up in a traffic jam within the car park, meanwhile more cars have been let in and you still can't find a space. Then a space opens up behind you but because you can't reverse because you're in a traffic jam the guy two cars back who came in after you gets it.

It took me 25 minutes to get parked.

On leaving you enter your license plate number into cash machine, hopefully the system recognises it, you pay walk to your car and try and leave the car park, only now it decides it doesn't want to let anyone out. Good grief.

I've been told I now need an MRI which has to be done at S****horpe (the censor won't allow the name of the steel town in N Lincs, lol) and I said to the nurse: "I hope the car park system is better."

"Oh, no", she said: "It's worse because their car park is smaller." Can't wait.

(and the doctor snuck in a DRE, so I have a squidgy bum, TMI?)

[Bibio]

i hate getting old.. seen the resident cardiologist today who told me they are more concerned about the artery's in my stomach more than my heart. went round and round the hospital looking for a parking space.. got one in the end. at least they are free. i should know better and take a taxi like i normally do but i wanted to go shopping afterwords so took the cage. hospital is only a mile away... lol

[Teejayexc]

The Grimsby hospital car park. The basic problem is that it is not big enough. It has a license plate scanner that will only allow you in if there's a space but you don't know where the space is so you have to prowl around slowly only to find other cars prowling and you end up snarled up in a traffic jam within the car park, meanwhile more cars have been let in and you still can't find a space. Then a space opens up behind you but because you can't reverse because you're in a traffic jam the guy two cars back who came in after you gets it.

It took me 25 minutes to get parked.

On leaving you enter your license plate number into cash machine, hopefully the system recognises it, you pay walk to your car and try and leave the car park, only now it decides it doesn't want to let anyone out. Good grief.

I've been told I now need an MRI which has to be done at S****horpe (the censor won't allow the name of the steel town in N Lincs, lol) and I said to the nurse: "I hope the car park system is better."

"Oh, no", she said: "It's worse because their car park is smaller." Can't wait.

(and the doctor snuck in a DRE, so I have a squidgy bum, TMI?)

Trouble is.....car park nearest the doors always fills up with lazy *******s who can't be arsed to walk far! It's supposed to be for those who really struggle to walk far.

If you go straight over the first roundabout instead of hanging a left for the main car park, ther are other less used car parking areas,( or there was when I was last there)

[SV650rules]

Trouble is.....car park nearest the doors always fills up with lazy *******s who can't be arsed to walk far! It's supposed to be for those who really struggle to walk far.

If you go straight over the first roundabout instead of hanging a left for the main car park, ther are other less used car parking areas,( or there was when I was last there)

Bet good money that areas for disabled and ones nearest entrance are populated by large German SUV type vehicles, their sense of entitlement is frightening. My wife worked as PA for a guy (he owned the company) who although not in the least disabled kept badgering his GP for a disabled sticker / card - he had enough money and in the end I am sure he got one - but my wife left - could not work with such a egotisitic pr4tt - oh by the way he had a vanity plate on his car as well.

[Bibio]

sick and fekin tired of having to update my fekin tv.. i dont want or need to update the thing.. it works so why do i need to update it. and no you cant just press cancel..... AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGG.