Udon's Hospitals

Which do you you recommend for outpatient service, including waiting times, competence of the specialists and cost?

Do you buy all the drugs prescribed at the hospital pharmacy or get those you decide on at your favorite pharmacy and cheaper too.?

Which ambulance service could you recommend and what are the daily charges for a private room at each hospital?

Anyone able to go further and say what the consultation fees were after admission and other "incidental" charges?

Any other helpful advice on the subject?

Try AEK Udon, just go in and sit down and talk with them the range of questions would probably be answered better there, then any of us could do. They have an international office with english speakers.

The other that I have exprience with is Palo. I just prefer AEK.

I have only used Palo and was very impressed.
On entering I was greeted by a gentleman who spoke pretty good English, on explaining my problem I was seen immediately by a doctor who also spoke English pretty well.
He gave me his diagnosis which confirmed what I already knew, so that was good.
I was put on a drip for an hour or so and then went off to fill my prescription.
IMO was oversubscribed but that seems to happen every where in Thailand and the wife insisted I get them all despite my protests, was to sick to argue very much.
Cost 1,7000baht for everything.
Well worth the money plus BOTH my nurses where real cuties.

We use AEK, because it is close to the house and my wife's insurance company has an agreement with them.

Waiting time is usually only a few minutes.

Specialists are readily available (during their office hours).

The pharmacy is over-priced (as are all commercial hospital pharmacies) but you can tell the doctor that will buy the drugs at an outside pharmacy, provided they are available outside.

Cost is low for most consultations and treatments, though some seem to be on the same scale as Bangkok.

About a year ago, when I took my wife to AEK with abdominal pain, they tried to rush her into an appendectomy that night. They kept her overnight, and in the morning, the doctor looked at the X-rays from the night before and said it was just gas. I have heard similar stories about other hospitalsl.

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I've always found that the military hospital just past the airforce base on highway 2, to be good, cost effective and easy to use.

Sabai sabai (Brian) was in Paolo a few months ago and they either hooked him up or tried to hook him up with another patients Chemo drugs. I have always been happy with AEK but their Pharmacuticals are pricey.

John

I'm currently attending AEK and agree about the quality of service. In fairness my specialist only has me on one type of medication and explained exactly what it is for so no over-prescribing (that has happened to me in the past). The medication is always the most expensive part... Very pricey but by Irish standards I cannot complain. I see my doctor and get my meds in AEK for under €20.00. In Dublin standard GP surgery fee is €50.00.

In the past anytime AEK gave me a prescription I just took to my Pharmacy got the same drugs for a lot less money.

Palo the guy who normally meets you there worked for the commanding Officer on the base years ago, speak excellent english, and seems to understand farrangs. I wish he was at AEK.

I have been admitted at AEK and was treated well, never been admotted at Palo but the service I recieved there was good. The drugs were high. Mnay of the things that yuo get doen at Palo are more expensive the AEK for example the doctors note for a driver licenese much more expensive and no difference in the end.

My wife has been admitted to Palo and a was a friend of mine a fews day ago, The room have always appeared dirty to me, Not what I like to see in a hospital. Palo recenly put on a big push for patienst even visited my home several months ago. During that visit I pointed this out to them, no change. They have contacted me several times for discount physical higher then comparable work at AEK.

On eof the VFW guys was admitted to Palo a few years back for not being able to eat. They deemed it to be a psychological probelm and force fed him. Turned out it was cancer adn he dies about a year later in after the proper diagnosis in Bangkok. Returned to Udon and se pent his final days in AEK.

My only problem with AEK is that they are not responsive to issuing reports that are needed by our government agencies form time to time. A friend had opted to have all his teeh romoved r tried of fighting a losing battle with his teeth. They refused to do it. He had it done at Palo

The guy whom was mentioned a the farrang laison at Palo was missing fro the last several days. I like him so if I'm there I always try to find him simply because I like him. Vacation replaced I don't know.

That really is all that I know about either hospital which one is better I dont know.

My wife and I have dicussed it and have agreed that for our needs AEK Udon is best for us. But, what makes us happy may not even come close for someone else.

And the Government hospital?
Sometime the same doctors rotate to practice at more than one. I expect the waiting times are longer bvut the costs less.

I an used to paying 200bht for consultation plus drugs whicxh as stated I select and purchase outside the hospital pharmacy.

The large Government hospital across from the entrance to Nong Prajak Park is a pretty awful place.
I have never received treatment there myself but I have been with a number of family members.
The waiting time can be very long indeed and the hospital itself seems to resemble a refugee camp more than a hospital. Families stay where ever they can to help care for sick relatives and this includes corridors and even under the patients beds.
I have even witnessed patients having to sleep outside all night as there is no room on the ward.
I think they try hard but its simply an old building that is running well over capacity.
I for one would rather seek my medical care elsewhere.

Hello all,

I am curious to know how well the medical community can watch over my cardiology issues. I had a heart attack and 4 vessel bypass surgery 5 years ago and am currently on several medications. My retirement plan is to move to Udon Thani. Can the medical world provide doctors to track my health issues and the required medications. It would break my heart worse not to be able to retire there in 4 more years.

They have a heart specialist at AEK. I did not see her but a friend did and liked her. Their is a very large heart hospital in Khon Kean an bit over an hour up the road if not an emergency. That is all I can add.

wokkawombat wrote:Sabai sabai (Brian) was in Paolo a few months ago and they either hooked him up or tried to hook him up with another patients Chemo drugs. I have always been happy with AEK but their Pharmacuticals are pricey.

John

According to Brian,they actually had another patients chemo IV hooked up to Brian!Unforgivable incident in America,the nurse responsible would have surely lost her license to practice!

Thanks for the info banpaeng, I appreciate it

Although I've only been to Paolo Memorial as an out patient I must say the service was fast and first class. I was told a couple of years ago that the Chief Surgeon was a Heart Specialist who learned his trade over 20 years working in some of the bigger Hospitals in the States, although this is second hand information and can not be verified personally by me. I would be willing to use this Hospital again in the future. Good luck Aircraftdoc.