No, the system sucks...or should that be YES, the system sucks?
Grounded over a year ago for a back problem. Physio once a week for 2 months, after 4 months (and a LOT of fuss on my part) go to see a civvy doctor working for mil. 2 days later MRI scan, 2 weeks later result. So far so good. But, no diagnosis and no reduction in pain or other symptoms (loss of leg/feet sensation etc). 7 months after first being grounded FINALLY go to see the NHS specialist I have been waiting for... He tells me nothing and recommends an RAF RRU Spinal rehab course I am already booked on. Go to that, which makes symptoms worse, have another MRI (the NEXT day - see, they can do it when they think they have missed something) and see Civ Doctor.... Go Med Board (review) they kindly give me another year to get back to flying and an appt with Mil Surg. In meantime another rehab course... Blah blah blah you get the picture.
I appreciate that back problems CAN be difficult to diagnose but I have ended up with 7 different assessments from 7 different mil/ civ doctors/surgs/specialists who all seem to take what I am saying as basis for diagnosis i.e. I quote that I have spoken to someone previously who was positive about going back to flying, the next guy agress. I tell them the previous chap was quite negative and they start talking about Med Dicharges and finding new careers.
It is extremely frustrating that 1. an absolute diagnosis can't be found and 2. that therefore no-one can tell me if this is something likely to go away (it has ameliorated slightly over last 3-4 months since I stopped exercising...) if I continue not to fly. 3. WHY has it taken so long to achieve NOTHING???
I am not sure if this is down to individuals or the system (the guys and girls at the RRU btw have been EXCELLENT), but I do know that if the mil still had hospitals I would have been in the same position as I am now some 6-12 previous.
As has been pointed out, yes it shudders me to think what our colleagues with frontline induced injuries are experiencing...
One word can sum this all up:
DISGRACEFUL....