Question time Topic tonight - the NHS

For once I actually agreed with Farage on the subject of the NHS funding.

As some of you are aware I live in France so this is a brief summary of my health care here in the last couple of years.

Some of you may have horror stories about healthcare in France and there are sometimes strikes but I can assure you that our friends and acquaintances (both nationalities) would agree with me that the treatment here is very good.

Nearly 2 years ago I suddenly was unable to lift my left arm above shoulder height - this is what has happened to me since then.

I saw a rheumatologist in September 2022. He carried out various tests and the problem was sorted.

In October 2022 I had an emergency umbilical op. Following this a nurse came in every day for 2 weeks, to give me an anti clotting injection (5 days) change my dressing and check that I was OK. The nurse eventually removed the stitches and 1 month later I saw the surgeon for the all clear.

During this period I see an asthma consultant every 6 months.

I continued to see the rheumatologist every 6 months

I saw him again a couple of months ago and he ordered an MRI scan. 4 working days after the scan his office phoned to say he had the results and I needed to go in to see him that day.

He explained that I have an auto immune disease and sadly i had to go back on corticosteroids - higher dose. Not good because I'm feeling very jittery.

He also said that I had a shadow on my left breast and he made an appointment to see another consultant.

I saw the gynae/obs consultant a week later. He looked at the scan and arranged a mammogram for the following week (last week) and a biopsy if necessary. After the test I waited 15 minutes and was given the results and an appointment was made for the next consultation, next week.

My DH had a knee op last May and the nurses came in every day (as with me) and he had physio for about 10 months. His knee is nearly as good as when he was young.

If we need an x-ray we make the appointment ourselves. If we need an MRI our GP will make the appointment.

Back in February I had 2 cataract ops.

My DH and I pay around £250 per month for the top up health care. (not £250 each) to a mutuel (non profit making)
This covers part of the cost and the state pays the bigger part.

Younger people pay a lot, lot less. If you are on a low income you don't pay.

If you have a life threatening disease (I now have 2) the state pays for everything.

Between us we have been to 5 or 6 different hospitals, only one of which was inefficient with appointments. The others are modern, clean and well staffed.

I am at an age when breast cancer is quite common. I know 3 or 4 people who have had it recently. One in the UK (at UCH) and the rest here. The outcomes have been good and there are no complaints about the treatment. My friend in London said her treatment was excellent.

If one wants to see the GP it is normal to pay a small fee (7.5 euros) which is refunded to us via the mutuel.

We here on the news about the long waiting lists in the UK and I wish/hope that you can receive as good treatment as we do here.

My apologies for the length but I felt that you should understand how it could be.