Here in the UK the NHS has problems but I have always considered the patient comes first,Imagine my consternation by a question from the superb Americans who claim to be kind considerate and caring about the cost of supplying oxygen to a patient based on his ability or not to pay for it.And you call America an advanced culture,No I am not anti American it just makes me feel ashamed and angry that I belonged to the medical fraternity.
It seems that the Americans have lost their ability to care for the sick and elderly unless that decision is based on insurance or how big your wallet is.
2006-10-11 01:26:16 · 18 answers · asked by Francis7 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Do you think the UK has the best Health Service in the world and despite the present problems is something to be proud off.
2006-10-11 01:28:32 · update #1
Hello Frank,
It's such a worry at the moment with everything changing. It worries me that we are heading for an American style NHS, where money is the main object of the game seemingly. All most front line staff want is to do a good job and help the particular group of people that are put in their charge. It's getting ridiculous when you can't even get a pen from stores because there's no money. And treatment rooms are being closed and no replacements planned for continuation of treatments. Staff freezes mean we have to treat more patients with less staff in less time. It's always the vulnerable that suffer and it feels as if we can do nothing to stop it.
Is this wonderful NHS being bled dry so we can move over to the American system? I hope and pray that it isn't
2006-10-11 05:07:54 · answer #1 · answered by : 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I too work for the NHS and am damn proud of the work that the service does. There are indeed huge problems within the service, but from my experience when a patient needs treatment they get it (I work in emergency care by the way).
I recently spoke to a documentary film crew from the US who were making a film about the health system in the US and frankly it was terrifying. Although they could see that there are problems with some aspects of the system they were blown away by the emergency care we provide in this country. The fact that we would just treat an ill person and not interrogate them about their insurance first actually amazed them. Can it be right to be surprised by that?
No, we have our problems and I don't think we are the best health care system in the world anymore, but I think we have the capability to be if the background stuff is sorted out.
2006-10-11 01:44:00 · answer #2 · answered by Jooles 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are so many problems within the NHS, but at the end of the day it provides a service and it doesn't depend on whether you can afford to pay for it.
It's not all that bad anyway. Sure there's waiting lists, staff shortages and the like, but the care is there, and if you're not happy with the service there is always the option to go private. But at least pauing for your healthcare is an option, not a requirement.
I'd rather know that the medical help was there for me no matter what than to have to pay a whole lot of money out on the offchance that something might happen to me and risk there not being enough funds to cover expenses anyway.
2006-10-11 01:38:18 · answer #3 · answered by plainoldnanny 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! Yes it has problems but it does a fantastic job and saves the lives of many people from all classes. I wouldn't be here without them. Shame some of the Lotto money can't be put to better use by supporting the NHS, I'm sure the ticket sales would increase if it was going to such a good and worthy cause.
I have kidney failure and have dialysis three times a week in Brighton, if I had to pay for this, well, I probably wouldn't be here now - look at our dental system! They ought to improve that if they can. Lots of people now cannot afford basic dental care anymore. If its a weeks shopping, an electric bill - or a filling - no contest! They look after our bodies and minds - but not our teeth!!
2006-10-11 06:06:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have an on going illness and have had a lot of experience of the NHS recently. Yes, there are waiting lists, and Yes some of the hospitals are underfunded and not as well maintained as they could be, but at the end of the day I always get professional care, attention and treatment, and the medication I need, no need to get the credit card out. I remain proud of the NHS.
2006-10-11 01:41:44 · answer #5 · answered by Avondrow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Having both worked in the NHS and been a recipient of its services I believe that, despite problems, the NHS provides a service second to none. The staff work miracles daily, giving of the best of themselves and their skills in often difficult circumstances. I for one am grateful that I don't live in a country where my access to quality health care is totally regulated by market forces.
2006-10-11 02:00:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the NHS is the best in the world, but it does seem that the government is wanting to privatise some areas of it. I personally think that a system similar to that in America will be implemented in the future.
2006-10-11 01:42:18 · answer #7 · answered by crissylizb06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To everyone complaining about the NHS, just take a look at our neighbours (Spain, Italy etc)
You will find that the NHS is not that bad. What is bad, is the luck of properly qualified GP, hence the need to call out all GPs was abroad.
2006-10-11 01:38:46 · answer #8 · answered by a_facchini 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the NHS is the best health service in the world but like anything, has it's ups and downs.
2006-10-11 01:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by Russell C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I do think the UK has the best health service in the world, can you imagine needing an emergency operation and knowing that you will have to wait to have it because you couldn’t afford it. Now that’s bad service.
2006-10-11 01:33:14 · answer #10 · answered by carla s 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋