How bad is your health service

I find this very strange. So, you mean, you just walk in to a doctor and present yourelf and the problem? No wonder the health system sucks. I suppose the docs are paid by the government? Where is the incentive for a doc to provide excellent service? No competition?

Obviously you are paying through your taxes, but wouldn't you rather pick the health care provider of your choice and spend some extra money? How much is private insurance? Do you get to write the premiums off of your taxes?

I always thought the US had a shitty health care system, but hey, seems the UK might be even worse.

Btw, in the US if you don't have health care insurance you can go on Medicaid or Medicare (don't remember which one - one is for old folk the other for people on welfare) and get care that way. It won't be first class care, though.

basically, if you have a problem you go to see your GP. these are paid by the government through our taxes. there is no competition, just a service, which is how it should be. the problem is that we don't have enough GPs per person in britain. this isn't as much of a problem in local practice but when it comes to hospital appointments, operations etc it has become a big problem. so much so that they are now bringing in doctors from abroad while they train up new ones.

the alternative is paying for private treatment. many GPs also do private work and can earn double their government salary doing private work on top. the standard of service is a lot higher, as are the costs. it's a double edged sword really so most people just grin and bear what the NHS has to offer.

amen