Is our National Health Service the "envy of the world?

Question

Here in little old Britain we have the best health provider in the World. I know there are major problems, but if you have an accident the whole system swings into action, and it"s "free" if you ignore the various taxes. YOU DON"T HAVE TO PRODUCE AN iNSURANCE POLICY before they sew your arm or leg back on. I have a private health policy, I decided to have this by choice to cover all the non emergency health problems that may occur in my Family. That is the area inwhich I consider our systm is failing slightly.

Answer 1

The NHS is wonderful, in the states for instance they will fix you up without insurance but boy will you get a big bill!

One of the major drawbacks though is the length of the waiting lists, However I have a friend who has just had major surgery, the waiting list had grown too long so the NHS paid for her to have it in a private hospital. So they are working on the problem.

I must agree with you about private care though. I had private medical insurance with my last job, it is nice to know that if there is a problem you can get seen quickly outside of the NHS. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 7 years ago (after 4 MRI scans, cat scans, ultra sound and about 5 different consultants). If i had not had the Private Health Care then I would probably have still been having tests. Not everyone is in a position where they can afford Private Health Care, but disregard the moaners who say you have double standards or say you are cheating. If they could afford it, trust me, they would have it.

Answer 2

This is an interesting question. As you probably know, we don't have nationalized health care here in the USA. And there's a lot of debate over whether we should. I would say the British health care system is held up by BOTH sides of the debate as a reason for/against nationalized health care. Many say you have to suffer through long lines, rationed care, lack of choice, outdated equipment, etc. Others claim it is a great example of a system where everyone gets equal-quality care. I think in general we tend to believe that we get the best medical care available anywhere, but there are affordability problems.

I will say in defense of our system that nobody is going to require you to produce an insurance card before sewing your arm or leg back on. But you might end up broke if you don't have insurance and you need costly care.

That's just the perspective from one Yankee.

Answer 3

It is great to have, but could be a lot lot better, if the money that's put into it was not taken by the top greedy people, eg if you go to a store and buy a bucket it will probably cost you £3.00, but if the same bucket is bought by the national health they are charged £5.00+ a kick back to the purchased and also mangers cars and offices and consultant's and agency workers , and contractors, then if there is any thing left the hard working nurses get a bit. it should start at the nurse pay and hours , then the equipment the the rest to the greedy at the top. but as there is no one responsible at the top it all goes on until it is lost for ever

Answer 4

As a nurse working in the NHS, I get to experience first hand the quality of care that is provided. I'll agree that the system does have its faults but nothing is perfect. The ward I work on has both NHS and private patients and yet the care they receive is no different. I recently visited a friend staying on a private ward in another hospital and the care was terrible. Just because you're paying for it doesn't make it good.

Answer 5

bit of a cop out that having private insurance for all non emergency and then expecting the nhs to cover all major emergencys, the nhs isn't free all workers pay for it, we do have the best system but you can't just ignore the taxes,as more people come into the country and more go on benefits who's left to cover the cost the WORKERS, and those workers on the front line in the nhs are now losing their jobs because of cutbacks.

Answer 6

I agree 100% We moan about our hospitals but in reality we are the best in the world. That is why everyone wants to be here. Our finances can only stretch so far, sad but true. My daughter also has private insurance and they have been known to get it wrong. Our NHS nursing staff are under so much pressure so why should they not look to the rich who can afford them to earn a realist wage. The government have so much to answer too. I think our lifesavers in all emergencies should be treated to the respect they deserve. "They are our saints."
THANK YOU FOR BEING THEIR FOR US!

Answer 7

The NHS may have many failings that are generally caused by management.... but its a brilliant institution and something we must protect at all costs. Health care for all, regardless of wealth is one of the best things we have in this country.

Answer 8

It's the only thing that we got left. Long live the NHS. But visitors to this country should pay through their insurance, after all it is national and not global.

Answer 9

You are of course joking? Haven't you heard of Sweden?
Nobody outside the UK envies the NHS. Aneurin Bevan is turning in his grave. He was the real founder of the NHS.

Answer 10

On the one hand, the fact it's free is a big plus. Can't argue with that. On the other hand, the actual service provided does have its moments of lackadaisicalness and/or shoddyness. Plus there's MRSA...