I’ll start with the best news of the day. My hearing has been restored by a very competent Mr. McKenzie, a physician specializing in Ear Nose and Throat issue at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

He found buried in my ear a great deal of wax, dried puss and other things which he quickly suctioned out of my both of my ear canals. It was not painful but it was loud. When he was done I could hear everything just as I had two weeks ago.

Many of you have inquired about my experience so I am going to go into ghastly detail about my impressions and experience. I also took some pictures along the way to illustrate my day. I hope you find this informative.

It was a 20 minute taxi ride from the Cathedral to the the Hospital. My cab driver had been told I could not hear so he kept turning around at me in the back seat yelling out the attractions along the way. I put my seatbelt on and enjoyed the ride, though I had no idea what he was saying. He dropped me off at the hospital, which was massive. It was bigger than the KU Medical Center but it’s exterior reminded me of it.

I walked in the front doors, put on my mask and stood inside trying to figure out my next steps. A volunteer, called a red coat, asked me if I needed help and I showed him my instructions on my phone. I did not receive any paperwork after my Emergency Room visit from the day before, only a note the nurse typed in to my phone. He walked me to the elevator and showed me the way to go. I was surprised by the elevator. I had to go to the 11th floor. Here’s the panel I saw as I approached the lift.

I figured out I need enter in the number of floor I needed to access and inputted the number eleven. Once inside the elevator there was not another panel to push my floor request. Every lift in Scotland gives verbal notification of which floor you are approaching and the opening and closing of the doors. So I just walked onto the elevator, hoped for the best and that I would end up on the eleventh floor. The elevator went directly to the floor and off I went.

I was to find to Ward B. Great signage too. I found my way to the restroom and every bathroom in the hospital is equipped with a UV light for additional sanitation. I have felt quite safe here from Covid-19 issues as there are sanitation stations all over the place with constant reminders to please use the gel to help stop the spread of germs.

I found my way to the ward, notified the staff that I was here and was asked to take a seat. The first three rooms on the ward were consultation and treatment rooms, so there were three of us waiting with an appointment. The rest of the rooms on the floor were patient rooms. Honestly, I was getting nervous at this point.

I arrived at 10;50 for my 11:00 appointment. When Mr. McKenzie called me back he apologized profusely for making me wait ten minutes. I laughed and asked him if he had ever been in an American clinic because 10 minutes was an unheard of wait time. He looked in both of my ears and said the familiar, “Oh my.” Then he added, “I think we can get you fixed up.” He used tubing and suction to remove a bunch of yucky stuff from my ear. I could hear again immediately. I had tears in my eyes and he asked if it hurt. I said that it did not hurt but I can hear and I am so happy.

I was prescribed ear drops to be applied three times a day. Here’s the amazing part. He handed me the box and told me how to get additional help for the rest of my trip. No prescription. No waiting. Just here’s your medicine and go have a lovely day. You might also notice the bumps on the box. Every prescription in the UK has the braille instructions and name of the medicine on it. Amazing inclusion for the handicapped here. There was no cost for any of the treatments I received at the emergency room or at the clinic. My tour guide, Malcolm, said that “I’m welcome,” as his taxes paid for my care and get was glad to do it.

I caught a taxi over to Glasgow University and rejoined my group. Front to back the entire visit took 20 minutes and the rides to and from the hospital was 40 minutes.

Over at the University we walked through a place called the Cloisters on campus and I took a picture in the rain.

So my overall experience with Universal Health Care in the UK was amazing. I spoke with a local pastor later in the day and he said that there are problems with the systems but overall most Scots are quite pleased with their care. I’ll have a blog my meeting with him later.

That’s enough from me for now. I’m writing on my phone so there may be some typos I have missed. Shelly