The NHS

[Kurt.]

You can book in advance also. You don't need to queue.

Not with my GP Grouch.... You have to phone 8 am on the day you need to see the doc, they give you a time ....let's say 10.30.... You turn up for that time then sit and wait,. Could be lunch time before you get seen.... Only the doctor can book an appointment for you in advance if they need to see you again.

 

[EFCNIK]

It's an absolutely amazing system which of course has its flaws. I think everyone is proud of it though. Unfortunately ott is open to exploitation. Health tourists and what not which we all fork out for. Again, has its flaws but I'd hate to live somewhere without it.

 

[Megefc]

It's not absolutely amazing but as a 13 y/o I don't read into it much and don't really have an opinion.

However when I went to a&e a few weeks ago it was great. Done and dusted in just over an hour. I was in the children's dept though.

 

[DualityNSNO]

A&E here works nice and fast too really, prioritising well and stuff.

It's kind of a joke how sometimes unless I'm dying/go to A&E I can't book an appointment with my GP for such a long time though.

That also might be because she's the doctor for a lot of people, probably a lot of them students here too (as we got told that we need to go register to the doctors for free and stuff last year in the first few weeks).

 

[micknick]

Won't hear a bad word about the NHS, I've been in hospital more times than I care to remember my dad has been through cancer treatment recently and pleased to say is making a full recovery. Like schools some are better than others but my local one is fantastic.

 

[Alio]

My friend spent 4 hours in a hospital in America when we were last summer, cost 14,000 dollars

I've just spent 5 days in a hospital, cost me zero pounds (other than tax...)

It's fair to say I'm a fan. Everyone I saw was chuffin great too.

 

[Groucho]

Not with my GP Grouch.... You have to phone 8 am on the day you need to see the doc, they give you a time ....let's say 10.30.... You turn up for that time then sit and wait,. Could be lunch time before you get seen.... Only the doctor can book an appointment for you in advance if they need to see you again.

That will be down to that individual practice's management.

 

[Kurt.]

That will be down to that individual practice's management.

I'm not complaining Grouch.... We used to get the habitual users who were always sick supposedly and used the doctors waiting room as a social drop in..... They would book appointments and clog up the whole system for weeks.... I don't mind waiting an hour or two to be seen.

 

[nsno-chris]

Benefits; healthcare regardless of your social status, one of the best things ever implemented.

Major problems is the management (influence by politicians etc) and abuse of it. One of the major issues now is the 'health tourism', people from abroad using the NHS without contributing. But abuse also comes from 'British' people; i've always been one for charging people who abuse the NHS, such as drunks etc, who take up valuable paramedic time and hospital beds.

I think Americans are crazy for not wanting a similar system

 

[1966efc]

Incredibly good system.

And, what isn't said often enough, bloody good value for money.