An NHS doctor has taken to social media to highlight a series of “worrying trends” she has noticed whilst working within the UK’s healthcare system. Dr Adwoa Danso-Boamah used TikTok to shed light on the issues plaguing her patients, which she described as a “growing public health crisis”.
“This isn’t just about individual patient care,” Dr Danso-Boamah stated. “When financial barriers prevent access to basic healthcare, we’re not just failing our patients today – we’re storing up serious health problems for the future.”
She continued: “The NHS was founded on the principle of healthcare free at the point of delivery, but for many, the costs surrounding accessing that care are becoming insurmountable.” The doctor went on to outline her concerns, all of which appear to revolve around one common factor – money.
She claimed: “My patients are routinely missing vital hospital appointments – not due to negligence, but because they simply cannot afford the transport costs or lose a day’s wages.” Dr Danso-Boamah also reported that she is seeing parents in her clinic who are struggling to afford formula milk.
“This isn’t just about convenience – it’s about fundamental infant nutrition,” she emphasised. Furthermore, Dr Danso-Boamah highlighted that some prescription medication is going uncollected from pharmacies due to rising costs. As of 1 May 2024, the cost of a prescription in England stands at £9.90 per item. “The cost is forcing patients to choose between their health and basic necessities,” she explained.
Her fourth trend concerns childcare, meanwhile. Parents are delaying bringing children to A&E because they have no access to childcare for their other children,” she explained. “What begins as a manageable condition often develops into a medical emergency.”
The fears struck a chord with TikTok users, one of whom replied: “And because people are so sick when they are finally seen, it means they spend more time under NHS care. This means less people can be treated.” Another user shared their own distressing experience: “Having extensive second degree burns, finding cover to look after mum with dementia. Waiting forever in agony at A&E while clocking up £40ph care costs.”
A third pointed out a similar complaint: “If you need a GP’s appointment you have to take the day off because you fill the form in and they will only ring twice. If you can’t have your phone with you at work you miss the calls.” While a fourth responded to the baby milk formula problem, stating: “Formula costs are ridiculous! The dietician told us we should use anti reflux milk which costs £18 per tub for the brand we used since birth.” Dr Danso-Boamah responded dishearteningly: “I know parents/caregivers who are having to dilute milk to make it last longer!”
Meanwhile a first person highlighted her own desperate situation, stating: “Nearest hospital is 20 miles away. Travel to that hospital requires two buses as there’s no longer a direct bus there. Four hour journey for a 15-minute appointment. Unaffordable for both childcare and travel.”