Cunard Cruisers - How are things where you are ?

[2BACRUISER]

Although there hasnt been much reported on the news here in the UK im seeing some truly catastrophic pictures coming out of the USA following Hurricane Helene from friends over there, my heart breaks for them so i hope and pray any Cunarders in those areas are safe and well. 🙏🤞

[Lanky Lad]

I had my flu vaccine today, hopefully it will not make be feel ill, but I have a week to recover before heading south to board Queen Anne. Looking forward to it, but also wondering if I'll like her. 

[Millieloulou]

Had ours afew days ago.Don’t underestimate the words”just a sharp scratch,but would take any precautions not to get ill.No sore aching arm,infact have been working in the garden every day since.Cannot let this beautiful autumn weather go to waste.

Hope you will have a great time on Queen Anne

[D&N]

I received the voucher for my flu jab, but as is usual here it's not valid until October 15th.

The voucher comes in two parts to allow you to fill the prescription at a pharmacy and take the vaccine somewhere else to be administered. The local pharmacist administers them in a back office, so we just use that.

They only send vouchers to over 65s and younger folk that are at risk. My wife has to pay for several years more.

[exlondoner]

12 minutes ago, D&N said:

I received the voucher for my flu jab, but as is usual here it's not valid until October 15th.

The voucher comes in two parts to allow you to fill the prescription at a pharmacy and take the vaccine somewhere else to be administered. The local pharmacist administers them in a back office, so we just use that.

They only send vouchers to over 65s and younger folk that are at risk. My wife has to pay for several years more.

I always assumed things were more complicated with the NHS, but obviously not always so. I had a text from the GP, and have arranged for us both to go together next Saturday to have Covid and Flu, one in each arm. On the other hand, I bet your lot don’t still use faxes!

[alc13]

1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

I always assumed things were more complicated with the NHS, but obviously not always so. I had a text from the GP, and have arranged for us both to go together next Saturday to have Covid and Flu, one in each arm. On the other hand, I bet your lot don’t still use faxes!

They still do in the US.  Incredible, isn't it.

[D&N]

2 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I always assumed things were more complicated with the NHS, but obviously not always so. I had a text from the GP, and have arranged for us both to go together next Saturday to have Covid and Flu, one in each arm. On the other hand, I bet your lot don’t still use faxes!

Don't think I've seen a fax machine since we left the UK.

 

It's all controlled by a smart card.

We haven't found fault with the system yet. It probably helps that everything we've come across so far; GP, screening, analysis, specialists (GP likes tests), dental and optical are all private but affiliated to the system.

We would not like to return to the NHS!

 

We'll wander into the pharmacy when it suits after the 15th and get the flu jab, no appointment required. Nora will unusually pay about 12€ as she's not in their target group. We'll leave Covid until Feb/Mar as it's only just over a month since we recovered from it. So far it's free for everyone.

When we describe the system here it sounds complex, but in practice almost everything is joined up by the central system using the card. In eight plus years we've come across a couple of practitioners who aren't on the system. They give you an official form, which we scan and upload to the system.

The system provides free at point of care service to low income folk. We don't qualify for that but have top up insurance to cover what the system doesn't. The health boards and insurance suppliers are all connected so that direct payments or refunds are all processed automatically.

 

Tax plus top up insurance totals a fraction of what we would be pay under the Scottish tax system.

[NE John]

A beautiful Autumn day in New England plus another Cunard moment - our town has the first outpost for the Clarendon Art Gallery in the US. The store’s attendant told us she’ll be tending the art gallery on QV for the 87 night South America cruise. 
 

[Host Hattie]

17 hours ago, Lanky Lad said:

I had my flu vaccine today, hopefully it will not make be feel ill, but I have a week to recover before heading south to board Queen Anne. Looking forward to it, but also wondering if I'll like her. 

Hope there were no after effects of the jab, Mr HH felt a bit off for a few hours after his.