The Dirty War on the NHS

Trisher, you may be right in saying some governments are not as committed as others, I think that recent government may have been guilty of this, but I feel that things are going to improve in the next few years. But overall I do think there is a commitment by all governments to retain the NHS as it would be political suicide to do anything else. And this is the problem, unlike many European countries, we steadfastly refuse to consider a different model. Other countries operate an insurance/state model which apparently delivers a far better experience for the patient. None of us want a USA model, but we do want a better service. I’ve been waiting for almost a year for a surgery which will reduce my pain but is not essential. I’ve been messed about by the NHS giving me a four month deadline, then giving no information whatsoever till seven months had passed, then offering a date whilst I was on holiday, then over a phone call agreed to put me down for after the holiday but in fact apparently removing me from the list altogether (without even bothering to tell me) then eventually, after an argy bargy phone call with a supercilious bureaucrat, putting me back on the list, then giving me a date, then changing the date, then changing to any time in a three month period. Seriously, you couldn’t make it up! And that’s why I think it has to change.

I am not an expert on medical costs in countries where fees are charged - but I am on facebook group for people with Vertigo conditions such as BPPV. Most are in USA. They seem to get much better treatment than in UK and it seems the cost is less than going privately here e.g. many initial private consultations for skin cancer in London are £250 whereas in US they can be as low as $85. In France, where taxes are high, one still has to pay something for many treatments/doctors but then you can get refunded by State. France's health care is very good.

maddyone I wishI was as hopeful as you. What I see on GN is lots of people knocking the service and suggesting other ideas. It brings to mind the quote which was not actually Nye Bevan's but from a TV play "The NHS will survive as long as there's folk with faith left to fight for it." Sadly I think those folk are being steadily depleted.

Trisher, you’re right of course, I just hope things improve for all of us. We all need the NHS. As part of my pre op assessment, I’ve just discovered my ECG was abnormal. I have been given an appointment in a weeks time for further investigation. Quite frightening, but on this, the NHS has acted quickly. Our NHS is precious, I hope that more money will be put in quickly.

bingo I'm on a diabetes forum where many of the posters are in the US. For many of them, cost is a major consideration whether they take the best medication for them. In the UK, all diabetes medication is free.

Bingo don't wax too lyrical about health care in France. Whilst it is good in patches there are the same problems here as in UK. Lack of GPs especially in rural areas. Standards of hospital care are poor in some places. It's very difficult to get an eye test as Opthamology Departments are booked solid and opticians here are only just starting to do very basic eye tests. However my husband has had excellent treatment over the last 12 years and saw the same Consultant at each appointment and hosp admission. Swings and roundabouts.