racheeee, question about national healthcare

So it seems like national healthcare might be a big issue in the upcoming presidental elections here. I was wondering how it really works in the UK and if you like it. Can you go to any doctor you want and they have to treat you? And I've heard it sux in terms of non-emergency surgeries in that there can be long waits to have things like tonsils removed, etc.

Just thought it might be helpful to hear how the system REALLY works if candidates start using it as an example of what they want to do here, especially since you've used both systems.

Thanks!
Cathy

Re: racheeee, question about national healthcare

Well it has its good points and its bad points. You pay (I think) 9% of your salary, and if you are unemployed its still covered. You can not go to see any doctor that you choose, when you move into your neighborhood you have to register at a doctor, and this doctor may or may not have any spaces available for new patients. If you have an emergency situation, they are very good and will take care of you right away, its true that if you have something like tonsillitis, you may have to wait a few months. But you do then have the alternative to go private and then you can have it done right away. You can also opt, and many companies to offer BUPA, which is private healthcare. A lot of people also go abroad to have things like hip replacements done quicker. Its a real post code lottery...some areas have better healthcare than others. It all depends on where you live, and its not necessarily the richer area you live in the better.

I have a good GP, if I call them I can usually see them the same day, I have the right to demand to be referred to see a specialist, but again, that might take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months...its a lottery! I personally have had nothing but good experiences with the NHS, but again, it could just be blind luck, plenty of people have terrible experiences. I had a baby on the NHS, which was a fantastic experience and I have had a lump in my breast removed on the NHS, and I was also treated wonderfully. I had a Mammogram, biopsy, Ultrasound within an hour, an MRI within a week and surgery within 2 weeks! So I can't complain.

I don't see a pediatrician for my son, I see a GP BUT I have a myriad of services in my local area for babies, I can go to a baby clinic any day of the week and get help with any issues I might have. All immunizations are free, prescriptions for the baby are all free (mine cost £6.65, about $11) When I had Noah I had midwives coming to my house everyday, after that Health Visitors came to see how we were getting on. It was a fantastic service!

One thing that we don't have in the UK is a litigious society. So not everyone is trying to sue everyone else (although it is starting to go that way a little bit now) so our doctors don't do every precautionary thing to make sure that we don't sue them...

I hope I helped you...I have had lots of experience with the NHS, but like I said, all good! You might speak to other people who have not had such a good experience...so its a lottery really!!!

edited to tell you about an experience that I had a few years ago....

I had some pains in my side for about a week and on the Sunday I thought, wait a minute, breathing is getting really hard, I think I should maybe go to casualty (er) so I rang NHS Direct (which is a phone service where they have health professionals to help you diagnose your problems, its fantastic, free and available 24 hours a day) So, I told her my symptoms and she said I should get myself along to a hospital where they have a drop in centre and casualty. So my husband takes me to the hospital, where someone is waiting for me, they examine me and tell me I can either go home and see if it gets worse or go to the ER and see someone. I go to ER and they see me immediatly (they knew I was coming) and they decide to admit me with a stomach infection (or hiatus hernia, never was sure which one) so I spent 5 days in the hospital in a ward with 7 other women and was treated like gold, the nurses were fantastic and just really great! anyway...the point I am trying to make is that everything happened really really quickly and the NHS treated me really really well...

Message edited 2/1/2007 2:47:18 PM.

Re: racheeee, question about national healthcare

Thanks! It's interesting that it varies from area to area, and that it's not just the wealthy areas that have good coverage.