On 10/25/08, larry tankersley <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hey Folks; If you will, I'd like to hear from you Brits, and others, > regarding your experience with societal funding/taxing for 'Free health > care' and overseen by your reprehensive [?] governments. > I know this is OT and also think it may be of interest to many on the list > as the U.S. is being... Opps, I almost gave my opinion. >
OK, I've thought carefully about this. There's no denying there are some things wrong with our public health care system, waiting lists esp for non urgent ops etc but I also think there's an awful lot right. Firstly our doctors are paid by the number of patients registered with them whether they see these patients every week or once a year, therefore it really is in your doctor's interest to keep you healthy and I've had some really excellent GPs. The doctor I've got now, I've been with for the past 18 years. Now that was both when I was in work and paying taxes and now that I can no longer work but am on disability benefits. There's a continuity of care, he knows me and my family. If I'm ill and go to see him, he'll ask how I'm coping with my son and how is he getting on. Last week I was really ill. I phoned the surgery at 9.00a.m. to say I needed to see a doc but couldn't get out of bed. By 10.30 he was out to see me, examine me, offered to send me to hospital to let them monitor it but accepted i didn't want to go so left a prescription with a proviso that I phone immediately if it got any worse or didn't improve. He's open to alternative medicine, accepts that I'm reluctant to take drugs unless really necessary so never tries to push them. He's referred me to the homeopathic hospital, also available on NHS and has always been really supportive and helpful. All medicines cost a standard prescription charge (I think it works out at about $13 per item) unless you're on low income or certain benefits when they're free. Certain life threatening conditions also merit free medication regardless of income. A couple of weeks ago I had severe chest pains, couldn't breathe, my hands were tingling and then numb, I was pouring with sweat, felt sick and as if I was passing out. I phoned an ambulance and within 10 minutes the paramedics were there with a portable ECG machine and oxygen. They couldn't have been nicer. They took me to hospital where I was seen right away. I was wired up to machines, given a chest x-ray and the doctor not only took time to reassure me but also went to get my son who was sitting in the waiting area. He wanted to give me some medication as a preventative but accepted that I didn't want it just asking if we could compromise by putting a line in so if i took worse they could give me it right away. I was kept in overnight and after further tests the next day allowed home. OK so the ward had been a tad Victorian, it is an old hospital, but the staff couldn't have been more attentive and when they heard I had M.E., moved me into a side room where it would be quieter. The standard of care was excellent and this is available to all. There's no question of needing medical insurance, or having to pay for anything, it's just there. Yes, I accept there may be things wrong with our system but there's also an awful lot i really would hate to see us lose. Cheers Kirsteen
