A mum has been left embarrassed that 'everything is worse in the UK' after taking in a Ukrainian woman and her child.
From struggling to get an NHS dental appointment for her Ukrainian family, to having to wait weeks to see a GP for her child - one anonymous mum has felt ashamed.
MyLondon reported how the mum took to the forum site Mumsnet this weekend to share her frustrations with other parents.
She asked fellow parents if she was being unreasonable to be frustrated by the complaints by the Ukrainian family who are struggling to cope with life in the UK.
Explaining the situation she said: "Context, normal family home with teenage school children. Taken in mum and six-year-old, they're living in our spare bedroom (with ensuite) and living as part of the family.
"We didn't know them previously and they came directly from Ukraine to us.
"They're both lovely and generally easy to live with, been with us one month, no regrets. Just need a little anonymous rant to let off steam though."
She then launched into her frustrations saying exasperatedly: "Ukraine seems better than the UK in every way.
"The food. She's a very good cook and makes lovely Ukrainian dinners for us.
"But British food is terrible, Ukrainian people would never eat so much processed food (she might have a point).
"The health care. She's had three medical emergencies with her child since being here. First one, child had temperature of 38, (bouncing around playing looking in perfect health to me.)
"She was astonished that a doctor wouldn't immediately come to house to see child. Arranged GP appointment that afternoon (she doesn't drive, I had to take her).
"Upset, angry and confused that antibiotics weren't given. She really just couldn't understand it at all.
"In Ukraine a doctor would have come to the house, day or night, and given medication, you treat small things immediately so they don't get big.
"Child had three days off school and spent the whole time running around playing."
She then detailed a dentist related scare. The host mum said: "Child had tiny abscess on gum, no pain or any other symptoms.
"This necessitated an immediate trip to the out of hours minor injuries unit (still appalled doctor wouldn't come to house).
"No treatment, told to ring 111 in the morning. I live in an NHS dentistry desert but because they've come from Ukraine a local dentist has taken them on as NHS patients.
"Had emergency dental appointment next day. Dentist said leave it alone, come back in two months time or if problem develops with it.
"Mum wanted minor surgery to remove/empty it and antibiotics. More anger and confusion. She can't believe how bad medical care is here (again, she might have a point). Anyway, more time off school for this.
"Her appointment for biometrics was messed up (their fault not hers) and she missed the card delivery. So bureaucracy and postal service doesn't work here.
"She's applied for universal credit, no money yet though, and it seems ridiculous that she should go to the office every week.
"Nothing works well in this country. Even the streets are difficult to walk on because the pavement is uneven."
The mum then takes a moment to reflect on the reason her Ukrainian guests are here, realising she's perhaps being a bit harsh.
She continues: "I know many Ukrainians have lost good lives to take children to safety and life probably was much better in Ukraine than it will ever be in UK. Hopefully this is temporary and they will be able to return.
"Her life in Ukraine, was living in a nice flat that was her mother's (mother dead, now hers) with her brother and her kid.
"She's divorced, kids dad not around, no contact for years. Worked as office manager (small company, not high flying) with good salary.
"Really, she's lovely and very grateful. I just need a little rant about a few things."
Responding to the mum's frustrations, many of the commenters took pity on the Ukrainian mother and son's tough situation.
One wrote: "Sorry! Sounds difficult. I know you know this but their lives have had a HUGE upheaval and they’re probably deep down very homesick."
Another agreeing: "Poor woman. I think if I had to flee a war with my young child, I’d freak out a bit if that child got ill in a foreign country where I was having difficulty accessing care.
"And England is pretty s***, so she has a point. OP, surely you had to know that you’d be taking in someone who was likely to have very, very mixed emotions?
"If you had to leave your home, country, and family, would you not be angry? Has her brother had to stay behind to fight?"
