Least bad private Health System ?!?

btw, and not really relevant- we have a small flat in UK, not a house.

tempting and we thought about that- and currently it would be legal. But he wants continuity of care and had a big scare last year- so wants it done here.

My reaction is the same as Urmstongran's, jura - is your DH well enough to travel here for his operation? After all, he has paid into the system - and been part of the system - all his working life.

Crikey jura2 who can shell out that for a minor op? Could your husband not have the procedure done here - you have a house in the U.K. could you come over for a stay and see a GP if it’s not urgent?

The French system is very different to the Swiss one- as basic insurance is free, and you can, if you wish, buy top up insurance. What is the procedure for top-ups- will they cover older people and pre-existing conditions?

kitty, as you know, OH has paid into the UK system doubly - he qualified at UCH London in 1969- and worked 140 hrs a week, 145 every 3rd week- as a Junior doctor. At the end of his career, he still worked about 70 hours. He nearly paid with his life twice.

I'm in France where we also pay for top up insurance. A few years ago my husband had sever pains in his chest and we called the emergency services who came very quickly. Although the ecg showed nothing wrong with his heart the doctor on call decided to send him to hospital where after various tests they decided that he had pericarditis.

Sometime afterwards he received a bill which detailed the various cost involved and they amounted to nearly 4000 euros. we're covered by the SI etc so had nothing to pay but it was interesting to see the breakdown.

There are some Brits living here who try to stay out of the system and I heard of one such a few years ago. A man had heart problems and it was decided to airlift him to Bordeaux. He was in intensive care but sadly he died. His widow received a bill for 24,000 euros.

Crikey jura.

I keep saying on here what fantastic NHS treatment DH has had all round lately. And, all for just paying his NI contributions since he started work at 23.