The British NHS........ What is your view?

by ScoobySnax 46 Replies latest jw friends

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  ScoobySnax

  The NHS is a hot issue at present with the forthcoming UK elections pending in May, both main parties are trying to monopolise the issue of our health service. It is a unique service where faults of course can be found (as in the current news story) but having worked and given my best for the last 15 years in it, I feel proud of it.

  What experience do you/have you had of the NHS? Did you recieve good care or sub-standard? Should it stay or be replaced with health systems used abroad? I'm really interested to know what you think.

  Scoob
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  the_classicist

  NHS sounds like Canada's heath care system. Some of the big problems we have here are surgery and specialist waiting lists, full emergency rooms, lack of long-term care beds (which makes the ER situation worse), and aging equipment.

  I think the British copied our system (or the other way around), so I would suspect that the problems are the same. Once I had to wait 4 hrs. in an emergency room to my broken wrist taken care of. Although, whenever I get severe migranes I get in much faster. Migrane drugs don't work for me, and I would have to take an overdose of Advil to have some kind of relief, which some doctors suggested, but other level headed ones discouraged. The only drug that worked for me was an anti-sea sickness drug and the first time it was given to me was through an IV. Another time, I went when they were busier and they gave me a shot of this drug (not as effective), so they gave me demerol. And a third time they were even busier and they just gave me a tonne of morphine.

  The care with GPs and specialists are very good, it just seems that the emergency services are really screwed up here.
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  Peppermint

  I have nothing but good things to say about the NHS. I think however it all comes down to your experience, if you never have to use it, how can you make a judgement.

  I was diagnosed with colitis about 2 years ago and have been treated for this condition in two different areas of the country. I have absolutely no complaints; I have to go to my hospital every six months to have a check?up and blood test, when I am there everyone is friendly and professional.

  I do sense though the heavy workload of the staff and with all the stories of foreigners coming over and using its services (Not sure how true this is) worry for its future. Personally I would have no problem with it becoming more of an insurance based system and paying more if it would improve things more.
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  Englishman

  I have to say that my experiences with the NHS have been very positive. Thercare in A & E is superb here in WSM. The follow up is somewhat haphazzard with lot's of re-appointments being made for less urgent cases.

  All in all, the system works well in life threatening situations. If, however, you're waiting for less essential surgery, then you could wait literally for years.

  Englishman.
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  under74

  This thread is interesting....I'm American, I pay for insurance....but I can't afford to go to the doctor.
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  Englishman

  Total of 4 weeks in hospital..2 major ops..choice of good food..total bill, zero!

  That's the upside.

  Englishman.
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  ballistic

  Sometimes it seems like we pay high taxes, but when you need the free healthcare it is there for you. I needed it when I broke my leg, and it was a top class service.
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  czarofmischief

  I've been doing some thinking, and research. The American system is without a doubt the best in terms of quality and speed of service - but the price is out of the range of many. The increase in corporate run health systems over the traditional community hospitals has both pluses and minuses as well. Suddenly there is this whole administration clique with high paying jobs and eager to "prove" themselves by cutting staffing, etc. It's just part of the current idiocy plaguing American business. Since our health care is a business, it has all the shortcomings and advantages of businesses in general.

  Your health care is a government program, which has problems of its own, which scooby described. Maybe there is a third way, a middle ground that could cover everyone and yet allow for the free-market enterprise and initiative to come up with treatments.

  Which makes me curious about the proposed reforms in Britain. What kind of ideas are they tossing around?

  The RNC better have a plan along those lines, 'cause this is the last term before Hillary... and her plan is a revolution. And she will get elected, I'm almost positive about it.

  CZAR
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  czarofmischief

  ps: Just wanted to say that any problems are generally NOT the fault of the health care workers themselves. Having been a NA for a year, I can say that the nurses and the aides and the doctors are overworked and being treated like disposable resources instead of the professionals they are. Like I said, the current idiocy plaguing American business.

  CZAR
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  ballistic

  Well, what you probably don't realise is we have private health care running alongside for those who want "extra special" care and can afford it. Now what the NHS are doing is out-sourcing operations to the private sector when there are people waiting, so I guess there is your "middle of the road" system.