The new Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin

[Dr Mike]

Denistry now open. rehabilitation srvices starting on Monday.
If you have need for specialtycare let me know. Moreton@bgh.co.th
We are not having a plastic sugeon full time, but a very good one who sent most of his career in the US will cme to HH on demand.

If there are any patients interested in plastic surgery, let me know and I'larrange a day for him to see patients.

[T.I.G.R.]

I can't wait to see the responses you get to this post Dr. Mike.......

[JW]

Agree TIGR this could be fun!

[Dr Mike]

If any of you are interested in seeing the hospital, get in touch
Moreton@bgh.co.th

[wpcoe]

I don't see any pre-packaged physicals on the web site. The hospitals I used in Bangkok, Bumrungrad & BNH, had various packages to choose from. Are there any currently?

Also, as a general hospital question, how does one find a general physician, one that you go to first for any ailment and who then directs you to the proper specialist? I like having a physician with whom I have a history and build a rapport. I feel comfortable going to them first. Which section of Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin would I look for such a physician?

(FYI & FWIW, when I lived in Bangkok, I used to see Dr. Irene first and then she would do a preliminary assessment and then make a personal recommendation for a specific doctor in another department.)

[PeteC]

↑ That's a pet peeve with me as well, not concerning BHHH but what seems to be SOP with their dental departments that I'm familiar with. Pattaya specifically. There seems to be no one to do a general analysis and recommend/orchestrate a course of treatment. They have specialists for restoration, root canal, general dentistry etc., but you have to organize it yourself and gleen the information one dentist may be giving to you while you're in the chair, to make a decision about where you want to go next and who you want to see. Simply, it's up to you to assess and plan.

Maybe that's their approach to foreigners. They don't really ask if you're a resident here or a tourist passing through. They should and if resident, assist with a plan like we're used to with western dentists. It seems to me to be production line dentistry.

I asked why an implant is 90K+ Baht there and at various clinics it's 40K? "Skill" and a smile is the answer I received. Sorry...each dental bill has separate charges for 1) hospital 2) the dentist him/herself. They're almost equal most of the time. Sorry to say the hospital is taking too big of a cut. The dentists there IMO are not employees but contractors, and I'm sure many also work part time at the same clinics who charge 40K. How do I know they're contractors, their hours are so irregular by days available that they have to be, or already very wealthy.

Also sorry to say the "skill" leaves something to be desired such as: a) A bad molar where a root canal was possible but one root was unusually curved. "too difficult..." I was told, and then drilled and filled from the sides which lasted 6 months, $$. Then tooth had to be extracted more $$$. Now a recommendation for an implant $$$$.

This is not a rant, it's reality here. Treat medical care with the same skepticism as you would any other vendor providing a service or a product. Pete

[hhfarang]

When I was at Bangkok Hospital (Hua Hin) last month I met doctor Mike and spoke to him about this very aspect of medicine (seeing a general physician, preferably the same one each time and preferably an Internist) and he said that he understood that most foreigners want that and then to be referred to a specialist if necessary. He was so understanding and in agreement about it that he brought out the chief of medicine (Thai Physician) at the hospital to speak to me about it.

So, they are aware that that is what we would like to see in health care here and they told me that they would try to have that option available once the hospital was fully staffed with full time, local physicians. At that time, they were still rotating staff in and out so that all staff was not there on all days but they definitely know what we want. It's just a matter of staffing up to do it.

[richard]

I've also been in touch with Dr' M and asked the same.

I already have a personal doctor in HH who has treated me for 6 years as I do in Bangkok and Khon Kaen. These guys all know my history so that helps a great deal. Whats more is they communicate with each other if needs be

Dr. M's advice was to continuing using my regular doctor and use the hospital for emergency or specialist treatment if my doctor recommended it. Floated it past my Doc and he agreed. Prior to that my doc always referred me to Petcharat for second opinions or specialist treatment

I guess I'm fortunate insomuch as I have always had a personal Doctor

[wpcoe]

Interesting to see that it's a common concern amongst us foreigners. As I said, I (and several of my friends) had "designated" (by ourselves, I suppose, and not by the hospital) physicians we would go to at BNH in Bangkok. I used Dr. Irene as my GP, and so did several friends, while other friends had other preferred doctors.

I guess it makes sense that if Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin still doesn't have permanent staff here, and are rotating in doctors from other hospitals, that it wouldn't be capable of meeting our "need." But, knowing that we ARE looking for this arrangement, I hope they DO set it up eventually.

Thanks for all the supporting comments. Good to know I'm not alone.

[PeteC]

Interesting ad by Bangkok Hospital. Worth saving. Pete

http://www.bangkokhospital.com/index.ph ... 31&lang=EN

[Dr Mike]

We are continuously exoanding our medical staff. One comment that I have heard is that patients prefer to form a realtionship with a Dr and see that Dr on each visit--as the medical staff continues to grow that will be more practical.
We have a very nice young Thai lady Pediatrician, one if thhe most important things about a pediatrician is that children find them to be friendly and she certainly is. She will be joined by another Dr next month and we will have fewer visiting children's Drs from BKK.
Two other additions--A full time Cardidiologist and a Diabetes specialist in June or July.

[hhfarang]

Dermatologist... with the sun, fungi, and all the skin problems I've seen (and experienced) here I think a dermatologist would be nice. My wife and I have both had need of one and had to go to Bangkok each time. I personally have a history of pre-cancerous moles so I'm supposed to be checked every six months... been a bit lax since moving to Thailand and have had the check once at Bumrungrad.

In the last 10 years I've had about 15 suspicious ones (12 in the U.S and 3 at Bumrungrad) removed and sent to the lab, 9 of which came back positive, but caught in time... would be nice to be able to have that inspection/removal/testing done locally.

[dtaai-maai]

I personally have a history of pre-cancerous moles so I'm supposed to be checked every six months... been a bit lax since moving to Thailand and have had the check once at Bumrungrad.

TWIT! If you'd moved to Finland I could understand it...

[Dr Mike]

I assume that TWIT stands for__ That's well indicated treatment.

[hhfarang]

dtaai-maai wrote:

TWIT! If you'd moved to Finland I could understand it...

If you've read many of my posts, dtaai-maai, you'll know that I spend the majority of my time here in an air-conditioned room (set to much like the climate of Finland), and rarely in the sun.

Dr Mike wrote:

I assume that TWIT stands for__ That's well indicated treatment.

Yes, Dr Mike, I intend to do better, but with no health insurance and a required trip to Bangkok I have not been as diligent as I should on this particular malady.