Doctor at Sea

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CaroleF
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Doctor at Sea

#1

Post by CaroleF »

I've just been reading a very interesting account written by a Doctor who spent a year on a British ship. It's called "The Life-Saving Adventures of a Doctor at Sea" by Ben Macfarlane. He's also written an account of the time he spent as an Emergency repatriation doctor, accompanying people who needed to be brought back to GB after falling ill abroad. That's called "Holiday SOS". When I first started reading the book I thought it might be a P&O ship but the more I read I think it's more likely to be a Cunard ship. It's on a World Cruise and going by some of the accounts of the passengers - quite a few Americans I don't think it's P&O, but I may be wrong. It would be interesting to hear what others think.
Both books are available on Amazon, and I think both can be bought cheaply second hand, I think that's where I got my copy. It certainly sounds as though the medical staff see life - and their lives certainly don't sound cushy from what I've read so far. The poor doctor got a black eye during the first few hours he was aboard!
Well worth reading.

Carole

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Stephen
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#2

Post by Stephen »

CaroleF wrote: 05 Jul 2017, 11:00
I've just been reading a very interesting account written by a Doctor who spent a year on a British ship. It's called "The Life-Saving Adventures of a Doctor at Sea" by Ben Macfarlane. He's also written an account of the time he spent as an Emergency repatriation doctor, accompanying people who needed to be brought back to GB after falling ill abroad. That's called "Holiday SOS". When I first started reading the book I thought it might be a P&O ship but the more I read I think it's more likely to be a Cunard ship. It's on a World Cruise and going by some of the accounts of the passengers - quite a few Americans I don't think it's P&O, but I may be wrong. It would be interesting to hear what others think.
Both books are available on Amazon, and I think both can be bought cheaply second hand, I think that's where I got my copy. It certainly sounds as though the medical staff see life - and their lives certainly don't sound cushy from what I've read so far. The poor doctor got a black eye during the first few hours he was aboard!
Well worth reading.

Carole
Probably after he presented his bill. They make Harley street look cheap.


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Re: Doctor at Sea

#3

Post by anniec »

Many thanks, Carole; available from my local library service, so I've ordered a copy.


Ranchi
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#4

Post by Ranchi »

I think it's a mix of several different cruises that have been edited to read as a single trip. Good fun never the less.

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wolfie
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#5

Post by wolfie »

I've only attended the medical centre once and that was once too much!

I knew that I needed antibiotics and, as I am allergic to many types, and don't even like having to take them, it was a last resort to ask for them.

I had to insist on having them after been suffering for over a week, doctor saying you'll be better in a few days and that would have been half our cruise ruined, and then he reluctantly prescribed 3 days worth of mild antibiotics. From past experience I knew that I needed more than 3 days of mild medication so he eventually gave me 6 days worth. Day 4/5 I was feeling much better.

I wish I had interrupted his boozy night with colleagues in a speciality restaurant to tell him how much better I was and that I was right!!!

Except for the odd emergency I think that medics on board DO have a cushy time.

I WILL NOT BE BUYING THIS BOOK.

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Stephen
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#6

Post by Stephen »

I had a similar situation wolfie where I also needed antibiotics for a condition that nearly always seems to occur when I'm on holiday. I also knew which antibiotic I needed. The doc couldn't just give me a weeks course and charge me the going rate, oh no. They wanted to do this and that test, which all in all would have cost me over £100 :o . All this when all I need was antibiotics costing the NHS prescription price.

Yes, I might have been able to claim it back, but would it be worth all the hassle and the cost of any excess, I doubt it. In the end I waited until we docked that morning and managed to get exactly what I needed over the counter at a pharmacy in Bruges for a fraction of the cost and was on the mend in few days.

I'm sure when you have a real emergency the medical centre comes into its own, but for minor ailments it's a bit like their internet packages, a rip off.
Last edited by Stephen on 06 Jul 2017, 07:19, edited 1 time in total.

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Dancing Queen
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#7

Post by Dancing Queen »

Do you not think 'tests' should be done before a doctor issues a prescription ??

I understand what you are saying but a ships doctor doesn't have access to your medical records as your own GP does and will only know what you tell them so surely they have to satisfy themselves that any medicines issued would not be detrimental to the patient.
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GillD46
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#8

Post by GillD46 »

Dancing Queen wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 09:06
Do you not think 'tests' should be done before a doctor issues a prescription ??

I understand what you are saying but a ships doctor doesn't have access to your medical records as your own GP does and will only know what you tell them so surely they have to satisfy themselves that any medicines issued would not be detrimental to the patient.
I couldn't agree more.
Gill


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CaroleF
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#9

Post by CaroleF »

If half the situations Ben Macfarlane talks about in his book are true then I think they earn every penny - so do the nurses. I've only had to go to the Medical Centre once on a cruise and it was about a very embarrassing thing too. I was treated with kindness by the nurse I met first and then by the doctor who had to perform a minor surgical procedure. As I had been a nurse in the dim and distant past we discussed our training hospitals and then the doctor chatted a bit about his life on board - no names mentioned - it seemed to me he certainly earned his money. Yes there are certainly advantages to a life on board a cruise ship but remember sometimes they are the ones who sometimes manage to save a life - they can be with a patient far quicker than any ambulance on shore.


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Re: Doctor at Sea

#10

Post by anniec »

wolfie wrote: 05 Jul 2017, 23:51

Except for the odd emergency I think that medic on board DO have a cushy time.
I imagine that for most of the time life for the medics on board is one of mundane ailments and utter tedium, but about a quarter of the cruises we've been on have involved a helivac, and three others have had a diversion to transfer a passenger to hospital. The thought of having sole responsibility for a seriously ill patient some hours from port, or in the mid Atlantic far from helicopter reach, fills me with horror.

My one experience of them was that they were expensive, but very efficient, and handed over antibiotics without demur when required. At least you get a quick appointment and don't have to wait until hell freezer over.
Last edited by anniec on 06 Jul 2017, 10:07, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Doctor at Sea

#11

Post by Kenmo1 »

When my husband collapsed on board Arcadia (I think) as we were just leaving St Lucia, we could not fault the treatment he received for dehydration following a stomach upset. He was put on a drip for 2 hours because his potassium had dropped so low. The final bill was about £438 but we felt that, even if the insurance company refused him payment, at least we knew he had had an absolutely thorough check over because of his heart condition. The insurance company did refund the cost because we are absolutely neurotic about making sure that they know everything about his pre-existing conditions.

All I can say was thank goodness for the doctor's quick and thorough response because the last thing we wanted was for him to be offloaded as we were due to go through the Panama Canal and we didn't fancy a hospital stay for him in that area.

I will look out for the book.

Maureen

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Stephen
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#12

Post by Stephen »

Dancing Queen wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 09:06
Do you not think 'tests' should be done before a doctor issues a prescription ??

I understand what you are saying but a ships doctor doesn't have access to your medical records as your own GP does and will only know what you tell them so surely they have to satisfy themselves that any medicines issued would not be detrimental to the patient.
I know when I have a urine infection DQ and that all it required was a sample to be tested with a simple test strip and then issue the appropriate antibiotic. It's not rocket science and certainly doesn't require unnecessary additional tests or warrant their exorbitant charges.

I now play safe and for piece of mind always take this medication with me when going on holiday, just in case.
Last edited by Stephen on 06 Jul 2017, 10:34, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Doctor at Sea

#13

Post by Stephen »

Kenmo1 wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 10:22
When my husband collapsed on board Arcadia (I think) as we were just leaving St Lucia, we could not fault the treatment he received for dehydration following a stomach upset. He was put on a drip for 2 hours because his potassium had dropped so low. The final bill was about £438 but we felt that, even if the insurance company refused him payment, at least we knew he had had an absolutely thorough check over because of his heart condition. The insurance company did refund the cost because we are absolutely neurotic about making sure that they know everything about his pre-existing conditions.

All I can say was thank goodness for the doctor's quick and thorough response because the last thing we wanted was for him to be offloaded as we were due to go through the Panama Canal and we didn't fancy a hospital stay for him in that area.

I will look out for the book.

Maureen
In circumstance like yours Maureen I completely agree, but I do think for the obvious minor ailments the charges do seem excessive.


anniec
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#14

Post by anniec »

We always take a broad spectrum antibiotic with us (obtained reasonably legitimately), particularly for peace of mind when staying in apartments abroad, where English speaking medical help could be a bit tricky to find.

I got this idea from a GP friend...

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Dancing Queen
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#15

Post by Dancing Queen »

Stephen wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 10:29
Dancing Queen wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 09:06
Do you not think 'tests' should be done before a doctor issues a prescription ??

I understand what you are saying but a ships doctor doesn't have access to your medical records as your own GP does and will only know what you tell them so surely they have to satisfy themselves that any medicines issued would not be detrimental to the patient.
I know when I have a urine infection DQ and that all it required was a sample to be tested with a simple test strip and then issue the appropriate antibiotic. It's not rocket science and certainly doesn't require unnecessary additional tests or warrant their exorbitant charges.

I now play safe and for piece of mind always take this medication with me when going on holiday, just in case.

I'm not suggesting you wouldn't know your own symptoms but as I said some people will only tell doctors what they think they need to know ( I'm not suggesting for a minute you do ) just think of the worst case scenario 'if' you had been wrong and 'if' the doctor had given you antibiotics and you later died from something which might have been detected I don't think it would cut it with the GMC that he thought it would be ok because you knew what you wanted, yes I know that is not a very good example but there are procedures that have to be followed on ships just as there are in our hospitals, you couldn't just walk into a hospital here and ask for medication and it be prescribed so is that any different to on a ship !!
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#16

Post by qbman1 »

That is just the point DQ. I know it penalises people like our Stephen who know what they want/need but there could easily be people who, for instance, are addicted to prescription medicines and just want to get their fix by spinning the doctor a yarn. I think it is quite right and proper that all appropriate tests are carried out before handing our pills like sweeties.

Off course, the answer in such cases could be to carry a letter/prescription from your own doctor when you travel and then the doctor on board could be able to dispense the necessary medication without the need to further tests - although I don't know whether that would work in practise

In our experiences with the ships' doctors, they have always been very professional and carried out the necessary diagnosis and treatment appropriately. OK, we have not experienced any really major medical emergencies but have had a few tests carried out over the years such as bloods, x-rays, ECG and I have to say, I don't think the costs have been at all unreasonable for the speed and quality of the treatment. The follow-up has also been pretty good, with the doctor ringing the cabin to make sure all was well and we have even had a doctor and nurse seeking us out at an on-board event to ask if everything was OK

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Ian Perth
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#17

Post by Ian Perth »

I've got nothing but praise for all the hospital staff. January this year I had a stroke and decided to still go our booked cruise on Ventura in May. A week into the cruise imsurrered another stroke, a mini stroke this time but ended up in the ship hospital on the Sunday night and taken off in Civitavecchia the next morning. The ship were great and can't praise them enough. The problems started after being released to the port authority. I was taken to the local A&E and spent four nights on a trolley in some of the worst hospital conditions I've seen. To cut a long story short I was then transferred to a private hospital in Rome where a British doctor was flown out to me and escorted us back to Scotland via Heathrow from Rome where I was admitted to my hospital here. I'm recovering well and hope to get away on our planned cruise on Azura in October. The insurance were great as well. Anyone going to Rome should be aware that from my experience you now need top notch insurance, you will need this if you need to get back and be looked after well if your certainly going to Rome based on my experience.

I should add that we are seasoned cruisers, over 25 years with P&O without any problems, but this has changed the way we think. The big issue was that the hospital was understaffed, equipment poor or in bad repair, cleanliness non existent, people sitting in corridors for up to 14 hours to be seen, this was the worst example, average was probably about eight hours or more, no privacy in a ward where five beds were crammed together, no tagging when admitted to the point where they thought I was someone else and tried to take me for a procedure that was nothing to do with me. Anyway, my point is, P&O were great but once in the hand of the port representative then it all changes. Even the British embassy have limited access.

Do check that you are all well covered. The experience has certainly not put us off cruising again but we will do some things differently, things like have the embassy numbers, a phone charger, telephone numbers, insurance all to hand easily.

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Re: Doctor at Sea

#18

Post by wolfie »

Dancing Queen wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 09:06
Do you not think 'tests' should be done before a doctor issues a prescription ??

I understand what you are saying but a ships doctor doesn't have access to your medical records as your own GP does and will only know what you tell them so surely they have to satisfy themselves that any medicines issued would not be detrimental to the patient.
Does any GP carry out tests before issuing a prescription? I doubt it! They listen to your symptoms and prescribe.

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Re: Doctor at Sea

#19

Post by wolfie »

GillD46 wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 09:32
Dancing Queen wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 09:06
Do you not think 'tests' should be done before a doctor issues a prescription ??

I understand what you are saying but a ships doctor doesn't have access to your medical records as your own GP does and will only know what you tell them so surely they have to satisfy themselves that any medicines issued would not be detrimental to the patient.
I couldn't agree more.
I know which mediations are contra indicated for both of us. I have made a point of asking the professionals involved and also doing my own research; websites where you can input drug interactions. I have often been more informed than some professionals on this. Doctors are not experts on every condition, as our now retired GP once said to me. They can't possibly be, they don't see enough cases of some conditions to be well informed on every aspect of that condition.

I knew that Stugeron was not advised for one of us BUT on speaking to a neurologist, it was OK in small doses.

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Re: Doctor at Sea

#20

Post by Dancing Queen »

wolfie wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 23:51
Dancing Queen wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 09:06
Do you not think 'tests' should be done before a doctor issues a prescription ??

I understand what you are saying but a ships doctor doesn't have access to your medical records as your own GP does and will only know what you tell them so surely they have to satisfy themselves that any medicines issued would not be detrimental to the patient.
Does any GP carry out tests before issuing a prescription? I doubt it! They listen to your symptoms and prescribe.
Or they refer you to the hospital for tests depending on what the symptoms are, as you say a GP can't know everything but this isn't about GP's as such it's about a doctor prescribing on a ship who has no knowledge of a persons medical history only what the said person tells them, fine if people want to self diagnose until they get it wrong then who would they be blaming .. not themselves for sure !!
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#21

Post by Manoverboard »

My symptoms were very straightforward albeit a tad basic.

I therefore utilised the services of the Doctor on board Celebrity's Constellation, he prescribed a pack of Imodium every day for over a week and put me on a low residue diet. When I got home my own Doctor said eat what you like it'll make no difference and PLEASE stop taking Imodium as those ' bugs ' need to get out ...... it was eighteen days before the problem went away during which time I had lost over half a stone.

There was NO charge in this instance because I had quarantined myself.

So .... is my Doctor smarter than theirs or was the Ship's Doctor simply looking for a quick fix as it were.
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Re: Doctor at Sea

#22

Post by qbman1 »

wolfie wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 23:51
Dancing Queen wrote: 06 Jul 2017, 09:06
Do you not think 'tests' should be done before a doctor issues a prescription ??

I understand what you are saying but a ships doctor doesn't have access to your medical records as your own GP does and will only know what you tell them so surely they have to satisfy themselves that any medicines issued would not be detrimental to the patient.
Does any GP carry out tests before issuing a prescription? I doubt it! They listen to your symptoms and prescribe.
But, as DQ rightly says, your own GP does have immediate access to your medical history and may even know you personally

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