Why we should be proud of our NHS

[wanda]

I am currently on holiday in sunny Brasil, Brasilia. Melting away as usual but then two days ago I woke up with a swollen foot. I am not sure how it happened whether I was bitten by an insect or I stepped on glass but my left foot was out of action.

We went to the hospital to see a doctor. I had a blood test, x ray and ultra sound test. The total came to about £250 pounds and the end result was inflammation of my big toe. After wards I had to go and get the medicine prescribed which came to about £30.

We do have it good in the UK.

Worst of all I now discovered that my travel insurance excess is £300

[Stranger]

Glad to hear that you're alright wanda and yes we should be proud of our NHS, I just wish I wasn't having to apply for my own job at a reduced salary due to massive changes going on in the NHS at the moment.

[joeishmather]

I do agree, however, don't you think that if it all went private then performence would improve as there would be competition?
It wouldn't effect us to much tax should come down n we would all but health insurence??

I just think that the nhs as it is, tho brilliant, hasn't really any competition n concecquently gets away with alot!?

[Paddy]

I am currently on holiday in sunny Brasil, Brasilia. Melting away as usual but then two days ago I woke up with a swollen foot. I am not sure how it happened whether I was bitten by an insect or I stepped on glass but my left foot was out of action.

We went to the hospital to see a doctor. I had a blood test, x ray and ultra sound test. The total came to about £250 pounds and the end result was inflammation of my big toe. After wards I had to go and get the medicine prescribed which came to about £30.

We do have it good in the UK.

Worst of all I now discovered that my travel insurance excess is £300

Eh up lad, (cant you tell i have been living in Huuddersfield!)

This comes as 'carma' if you can be sunning yourself in the depth of winter in Brazil while I run around a factory. There shall be little sympathy for your big toe!

On a serious note I hope all is well (or on the mend) and it doesn't spoil your time to much.

As to the NHS yea we do have it good... but isn't that the reason every tom, dick and harry wants to come here?

P

Hope all is well.

[wanda]

The NHS is far from perfect and needs to improve but when you start comparing it to other countries we are the envy of the world.

The insurance system of american health care will quickly show who is poor and who is middle class and surely that division is what we are trying to minimize. Because we live in a capitalistic system we will never be equal, the gap between the rich and the poor will all ways be wide therefore a system that takes care of everyone is the best in my opinion. Another problem with the health insurance approach is the fact that we are dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies are well known to avoid paying out when we need them, now for us to rely on them for our health would be a scary idea. Four months ago I had a baby girl and the last thing on my mind would be can I afford the hospital bills.

The reason why Nurses get paid so little yet are given so much work is beyond me. There are a lot of places in the NHS that need attention but the system as a whole is a good idea.