Awww sorry to hear about your knee.......When Archie barked, Estelle jumped up of the sofa and said "ive got your back bro".

@PackTheVanAndGo

16 күн бұрын

Ahh bless, hope you guys are well? Are you going to any van related festivals this year? or any travels?

Hi Rob, good to hear from you again and hope you are on the road to recovery. As you know I am a veteran too and also work in the NHS as a Project/Programme Manager. I suppose the first thing to say is that as a veteran you are entitled to priority care but this is based on clinical need. I too have been suffering with a knee injury sustained during military service and are going through the conveyor belt to get treatment. There is a code that GPs should use that identifies you in the system and that should be included in the referral. I have also heard that there is a consultant I think in the Birmingham area and linked to the military that is prioritising military referrals for MSK related injuries. If I can find a name and contact I will let you know. The other thing to look at is NICE guidance. These are clinical pathways that everyone in the NHS uses. The other thing to help speed things up with GPs is ask them to use Advice and Guidance. This is a mechanism for asking consultants directly to help smooth the treatment pathway. It is a bit like a chat service between GPs and the local NHS Trust. Finally the thing to remember is patient choice, you can opt to have your treatment wherever you like. Don’t let them convince you otherwise. Some Trusts have shorter waiting lists for certain treatments. Hope that helps and reach out if you need any advice my friend.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Hi mate, many thanks for all the advice and for reaching out, I cannot thank you enough! If you do ever find the name of the contact, please let me know if you do ever find their name! Thanks again, means a lot to have such great advice!

I so ,so gutted for you Rob i hope you get your knee sorted soon buddy

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks buddy, slowly getting there! Hope you're well mate?

@carlsadventures2361

Ай бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo I'm all good buddy not long got back from the Isle of Mull i went last month in my roof tent , And i've just brought myself a project stay safe

Get well soon

@PackTheVanAndGo

18 күн бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Hi mate, your veterans card will not give you any priority to NHS. However a lot of veterans don't know you can get refered to Gobowen hospital, Robert Jones Agnus Hunt Orthopeadic Hospital. You will need to get refered through your GP. I was on the Welsh NHS for 12 months, got refered to Lt Col Mayer at Gobowen, 5 months later i recieved my new hip. This is a setup for veterans, Veterans Orthopeadic Service, its within the hospital even has its own canteen. A brilliant set up and well worth investigating. I am a veteran 71-96. You and all veterans really need to know about this. Once you leave the door closes and your on your own.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Ahh amazing, thank you so much for the advice and will definitely look into it! Stay safe mate!

Keep strong mate take care take each day......

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks mate!

Hope you heal and pain subsides -well that was a waste of time getting the veterans card if NHS don’t recognise there’s a surprise!! At least we get discount at Chopstix tried and tested👍😜

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Yeah total waste of time.. slowly getting better now mate, hopefully see what happens in the next few weeks

Sorry to hear about what's been going on with you. Hope you can get sorted soon. As for the veterans card I'd never come across this and I think it is something that people should be aware of. As a veteran I think you deserve nothing but respect from this country. Feel ashamed at the way veterans seem to be treated. I have friends who are veterans and they all say very similar things to what you've said. Total respect to you and all the other veterans for serving this country. Wishing you a speedy recovery, take care stay safe👍👍

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks mate, thank you for your kind words.. slowly getting there now, but a shock to know your own country won't help you anymore!

Hope you get it sorted soon Rob. Whats really frustrating is, your a veteran and a polite well mannered gentleman, but if you was in the hospital drunk, kicking off they would have seen you quicker.. That's the state of this country, the useless think they are privileged, the useful and those that have meant something to this country are invisible, xc

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks guys, hopefully see you both around sometime soon x

I’m so sorry Rob 😢 what a shitty situation!

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you, hope you're well?

@hederat

Ай бұрын

Absolutely!

So sorry to hear Rob, hope you can get all the help you need soon. Its absolutely disgusting how people are treated these days, especially as we are English and not foreign. We've paid our taxes all our lives. Like you say, they have destroyed the health service . Big Hugs Mate. All the Very Best to You and Archie 🙏🤗

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Its the world we live in now mate, veterans count for nothing unless they was in WW2... so onwards to having to plod along until I can get something done! Hope you're well mate?

@asaandthemarchharepart2903

Ай бұрын

@PackTheVanAndGo good thanks mate. Fingers crossed for you getting sorted soon.

@DA11NOON

Ай бұрын

So sorry to hear this Rob hope you get the help you need. It is Disgusting how we treat our veterans. Thanks for your severe Rob Hope you get better soon And thanks for the update Be safe 🙏

Rob, I was told in 2021 (after years of widespread pain and horrible symptoms for 14+ years ) that I needed 2 operations. One on neck and one on brain. I got the neck op last year and was told last week they not doing other op. And I know it is because they want to reduce the numbers on the waiting list. I have had a headache for nearly 4 years . They don't care. I had to give up my gym/ lifeguard fitness classes , sports coach job as I have widespread pain and severe fatigue. I feel I have been left to rot. And many others in the same position. I hope you get some help as not many are. Good luck. Love to Archie . Michelle

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Seems to becoming such a common occurrence on the NHS these days!

Good to see you Rob. Sorry to hear about your knee. Barnsley hospital is shite. I had a broken hip. The bone was dead and rubbing on each other and tho I'd been told I needed an op ASAP. They were putting off, 6 months later my Dr's got me moved to pontefract and had the op within a couple of months. I can't take opioid so paracetamol for 8 months with a broken hip. 😢

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Yeah not many good things about Barnsley Hospital. I am so sorry to hear about what you've had to go through!

I know how you feel mate, I too have a Veterans ID Card and have tried to use it with the NHS and told “So what?” I wasn’t after any VIP treatment but if you served the country then i thought id use it. Makes me wonder why i served this broken country of ours for 26 years. 😢

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Yeah exactly that mate, as a veteran you get made to feel like a criminal at times, disgusting! Totally agree mate, makes you wonder why we did all those years and for what? Hope you're well mate!

@markmim5676

Ай бұрын

What a farce. You should be able to get a normal GP appointment on the phone and why should you have to register with a pharmacy if you are paying for the medication anyway 😩. You would like to think being a veteran should also mean they would at least try and help. Hope you get it sorted soon

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

@@markmim5676 Most GP's now run a booking service through an app and you have to be registered to the pharmacy in order to get your prescription.. so much has changed theses days mate!

@CallumNug

Ай бұрын

​@PackTheVanAndGo and Carl, I'm a veteran medically discharged. I work with military charities and helping veterans. You are entitled to specialist treatment. Just not every doctor knows, which is due to funding and other things. If you want to get in contact with me, I can point you in the right direction and help. Just let us know and hope things get better for you both.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

@@CallumNug be good to get some advice from you if possible?

Best wishes with the knee mate ! As disgusting as it is veterans are not looked after better, unfortunately I’m not surprised. If you were in America it would be a whole different story 👍 hope everything gets sorted and you get the care you need. Say hello to Archie 👍🐶 woof woof

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks buddy! Hope you’re well?

You’ve had a really rough time and it’s bad that the route to treatment by the NHS is so difficult. Your situation should be a wake up call for all Vanlifers to ensure they have plans to ensure that NHS services an be accessed without having to navigate the tortuous bureaucracy that exists.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Its definitely been an eye opener for me and for others hopefully !

The nhs is shite, so many people have found that out now. Hope your knee is starting to heal and the pain gets less. I have chronic pain all over so can sympathise with you. Love to you and Archie, Abbey sends all her kisses to Archie too 🐾🐾🐕🦓

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Yep, the NHS is in a bad way right now! Hope you guys are well?

Hi Rob, sorry to hear about this, you've had a rough ride alright. I've had a lifetime of knee problems including waking up to a completely locked-up knee, so you have my sympathy. Ultimately you will get it sorted, but until then you'll have to be kind to yourself and your knee, keep taking the tablets and try to keep the joint moving. The worst you can do is overwork it followed by not working it at all. It's a bit of a balancing act. The anti-inflammatory drugs take a while to build up in your system before you get the best effect, so keep taking them. Finally, get yourself a walking stick of some description, it'll help tremendously with taking out Archie once you get used to using it (hold it in your right hand and halve the load on your left knee). Keep positive mate, you'll get past this. Take care. 👋

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

I m following everything I did when I had previous knee operations mate, rest, pill, and exercise! Hope you're well mate!

Oh mate that's terrible... so sorry to hear about the pain you must have been in ... shout if you need help with anything x

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind offer x

Sorry to hear about the pain mate. I have the same thing and am on meds . Nhs is shambolic . If you ate struggling with meds I have a surplus of anti inflammatory and pain relief if you need it .if you want to meet I'm in Southampton though or I can send it

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

I am good for pain and anti inflammatory stuff for now mate, got to see what the GP says again in a few weeks! But thank you for the kind offer mate!

Great to see you both back...👌 and sorry to hear about your plight!! 😏The country has become a cesspit... all public services are broken are is infrastructure 😢 the very best of luck in getting sorted 👍

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you, yeah this country is no longer great anymore!

Sadly Rob when we discover the reality it’s very disheartening. I still can not register with an NHS dentist & being a veteran means nothing which includes the prescription wavier for previous issues. Stay strong Brother & get yourself back on track. Hopefully the likes of Johnny Mercer will see this & highlight the realities. If there is anything I can do give me a call, your always welcome here.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks bro, thanks for always being there! Hope you're well brother!

Keep strong my friend, we are here for you when you need us.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks guys 👍

Hope you're knee recovers quickly Rob xxxx

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks guys, hope you’re all well? xx

So sorry Rob… I haven’t even bothered to get my veterans card after reading many similar stories to yours… it’s so wrong. I used to be proud to be a veteran, did lots of marching at the cenotaph etc…. Now, I don’t even tell anybody xx

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Seems the veterans card stands for nothing in this country.. waste of time! Don't think there is any pride anymore, no pride in our forces, our country and we lack an identity ! Such shame really! x

Your strength is unique bro, take time to heal, your a real trooper , unfortunate that the NHS has fallen to low levels and will only get worse, but one thing for sure is we love you bro ❤❤

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks brother ❤️❤️

Stay positive mucka, hope things improve for you soon 🤙

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks mate, hopefully in a few weeks all will get sorted!

Really hope you’re feeling better soon, didn’t know you was still feeling bad with your leg

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Getting there mate, just takes longer with old age hey!

Hi Rob, Sorry to hear about your knee and battle to get treatment. I had keyhole surgery to trim the Plica and cartilage in my left knee 21 years ago on BUPA through work not long before I left the UK for NZ. Before surgery they tried both ultrasound treatment and a TENS machine - the TENS machine gave me pain relief and more movement - this might be worth trying while you wait for appointments? Another thing that might be worth trying is either a magnesium cream or Rheumon Gel - obviously alongside the anti-inflammatories and pain killers etc. I had to sleep with a pillow folded around my knee for several weeks after surgery. Sadly there are too many who try to Queue jump these days and invent various stories etc that those with a genuine case for being seen quicker tend to get ignored. I hope you get to see a specialist and get sorted soon.

@PackTheVanAndGo

29 күн бұрын

Hi, thank you for all the advice, I’ve got my specialist appointment this week so hoping we might be getting somewhere now! Hope you’re well and safe? Take care

@linz_in_NZ

29 күн бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo Good to hear you've getting to see the Specialist this week, hope you don't have to wait too long to get it sorted.

FFS Rob, country’s gone to pot (literally 😩) Chins up and get well soon💪👌

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks mate, yeah this once great country is no loner what it was!

Really sorry to hear this. But not surprised after what happened to my folks. It's unacceptable. And all the politicians do is bulls..t us. Just make sure you're not making the knee worse.

@PackTheVanAndGo

24 күн бұрын

Slowly getting better mate… it will take time I guess… hope you’re well?

@kevgermany

22 күн бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo doing well thanks. Should be on the water this summer.

Hope you get progress, however slowly. Cheers for the update.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you!

nice to see you back mate 👍 I was starting to get concerned, hope you’re back fighting fit soon 😁 take care and stay safe mate 👍

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you my friend, hope you're well?

I hope you get better soon mate . Best wishes

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

Ouch, that sounds grim on several levels. Hope you do get the help you need, being in pain sucks. 😔

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you, slowly getting there now, hope you're well?

@beepythevellfire

Ай бұрын

@PackTheVanAndGo yeah, bit exhausted from sorting the van at the weekend but the bed is so much better! Trying to persuade myself I've got the energy to go somewhere more exciting than my parents driveway. 🤣

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

@@beepythevellfire Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the van?

@beepythevellfire

Ай бұрын

@PackTheVanAndGo still haven't done North Wales, that's my next choice. If I could go anywhere anywhere, I'd drive through Europe but not sure how practical that is solo with a wheelchair. Need to do more research!

Damn buddy so to hear that

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks mate

Well said my darling boy ❤

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks mother xx

Geez mate, it is an absolute shame and disgrace, how you are not being taken care of by the UK and the NHS in particular. It is so very difficult to keep a positive outlook when all this shit just seems to not end. Keep your chin up, mate. Archie recognizes that you're not up to snuff and will manage. My thoughts are with you. 🤗♥🚐☁🍀

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thanks buddy, this once great country is not what it used to be mate, it's gone down the drain and is being drained by those who don't deserve it! But got to keep going, self reliance and all, as this country don't want to help me! Hope you're well mate?

There’s no surprises there I am afraid. I refuse to go through the nhs these days - it’s an awful service. Currently embroiled in taking nhs and local authorities to court after mail treatment leading to a court case where the doctors involved lied through their teeth (we recorded every appointment and meeting) what they say to your face and what they put on paper are two different things and if you contest it they call you a liar (hence the recordings)… the judge was disgusted!!! I have no trust in them in anyway shape or form.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Yeah I don't have much trust in anything they say, as I said to one GP, you may have all these letters after your name and a specialist in knees, but im a subject matter expert in my own knee and symptoms, so don't presume to think you know more than me!

@micro_adVANtures

Ай бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo you’re right. I Havel letters after my name (B.Ed (hons) QTS)…. Does not mean I know everything. There’s always more to learn, and knowledge to gain. Sadly some so called experts do not have the humility to accept they could be wrong or someone else knows better.

It's crazy how long it has taken you to get medical care for your knee, me and my brother seen how much pain you were in when we drove down from Scotland to get the roof rack and wheel carrier for his MAN van with the 20" alloys fitted and it seems so long ago, hopefully that's you on the road to recovery now and things only get better.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thankfully I'm not in a much pain as I was back then, slowly getting there now, hows the roof rack and wheel carrier? Still attached 😂

@billy140572

Ай бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo yes everything is perfect, we haven’t done much more to his van but it will be fully converted in the next few months.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

@@billy140572 Hope it all goes well mate ! Stay safe!

I sympathise with you Rob my sister has waited over a year for a hip replacement she now is so bad she cannot walk she cannot get a face to face Dr's appointment she could only get an emergency phone call 3 weeks later. Waited and Dr told her to do some exercises she said I now cannot move and I'm in so much pain can I see someone, no take more morphine but you are on the maximum dose. She said I have been for 6 months and that was it. All he did was email her a sheet of exercises. The Dr's are just a joke, the NHS has gone. You served your country and it means nothing how you are treated is appalling. You take care Rob.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

This country is no longer the great country it was, been ruined for far too long by overpaid MP's!

Hi mate , my brother was also in the military for as many years and is suffering quite badly as a result, he is also treated in a similar way to you, this country is an absolute disgrace especially to or veteran 😡absolutely angers me ,if you was a yank you'd be treated as royalty and rightly so ! Hope you get the treatment you need mate 🙌 👍 Oh I also believe your a friend of si Jackson 👍👍i grew up with him😊

@PackTheVanAndGo

16 күн бұрын

Yeah im a friend of Si Jackson mate! Hope you're well and enjoying the min heatwave we are having at the moment!

@davep1499

16 күн бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo 👍👍yeah mate loving it ☀️, I can't wait until I get my home on wheels 🙏

@PackTheVanAndGo

16 күн бұрын

@@davep1499 you’ll love it mate… best thing I’ve ever done ✔️

@davep1499

16 күн бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo hopefully within the next year I'll have it , and within 3yrs be full time 👍🤞🤞

What a disgraceful way to treat anyone, let alone a veteran. I have issues with my knees also, 3 ops on one and two on the other so I can sympathise. Good luck with it and hopefully you can get it sorted asap.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you my friend, hoping the next few weeks will reveal all, hope you're well?

hi both. absolutely dreadful to treat people in this manner. Your experience is why I will never again live in the UK. Here in Cyprus your scenario would have been done and dusted weeks ago. Have friend here who could hardly walk whilst in UK, told weeks if not months for treatment evenly Privately @ 16k+, came back to Cyprus Sunday night, saw ortho" surgeon on Monday and operation done albeit privately on the Thursday, with excellent aftercare all 6k. This was before Cyprus invoked a new NHS style system which is excellent. wishing you and Archie all best.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Yeah the UK is not the same as it was, it's definitely a broken country and definitely not united or great anymore!

Sorry to hear about your knee and the hassle that unfolded. The system of old worked but the shambles of the digital age, with their online crap and apps doesn't take into consideration your service to your country and that nobody wants to recognise that.The NHS is broken but whatever its state, use it if it means not having to pay a fortune for private treatment. An automatic van would have come in handy for this moment.

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Ha, already been looking into an automatic van as my next van mate, definitely makes a massive difference! Hope you're well my friend?

As someone who isn't in the armed forces I just want to say that I feel ashamed. You and others like you who have been willing to lay down their lives for the country and the freedoms it enjoys deserve so, so much better than this. Sending big love to you and hope you get what you need very soon. I hope it's not patronising to say that there are a lot of us viewers who would be ready and willing to help you out in a variety of ways if you need it. Just let us know. 👍

@PackTheVanAndGo

27 күн бұрын

Thank you my friend for the kind words and support! Means a lot

Rob I’ve got a problem with my feet I can’t keep them away from the fridge 😂

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

I’ve noticed 😂😂

@stevebrown6665

Ай бұрын

Look after yourself mate

contact Royal British Legion they should help you

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Will do, many thanks

@franceskenshole6860

Ай бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo Remember, that's why they are here, to help the ex-service personnel and their families

Ahh bless ya... sadly this is modern nhs. It sucks ...... complain to the pals of the hospitals . Trust me you rattle their cage they will buck their ideas up .. n sort u quicker. Its wot i had to do .

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@paulak7939

Ай бұрын

Patient and liason services. Every hospital has one hidden down a dingy corridor lol. U can email ring them. Or go in person. I did the papertail so emailed n then went in. They have to investigate your issue. The 1st hospital should have givn you a prescripttion you could have purchased at the inhouse pharmacy ( if the hospital has one ) defo comlain . Its not right. Good luck n please let us their response ! X

Terrible nhs service these days.. rushed into hospital before Christmas with chest pains twice and released twice with no answer to why” High blood pressure taken 4 mths to get medication NHS was being praised in lock down NOW bag of crap Get well soon Rob 🤟

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

An organisation whose primary role is to care for the nation, run by people who don't care! The good old NHS!

@Willzivanlife

Ай бұрын

@@PackTheVanAndGo And service card and ex service personnel in this country get no respect.. American!! They got it right.. When I done training in Canada people in civilian street couldn’t do enough for you… If only the PUBLIC really needed what bullshit we had to do.. Speedy recovery Rob 👍

The country is fucked mate get well soon 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@PackTheVanAndGo

Ай бұрын

Yeah we are well and truly shafted in this country mate ! Hope you're well though?