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Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck I wouldn't say the UK system is one to envy too much. The "free" healthcare system ensures that it is massively overstretched. Takes forever to go from checking in to seeing a doctor. I think there should be some level of payment. It helps pay for the running of services and it cuts down on people showing up for BS.
A friend of mine in the UK had to wait months before he could be seen for his chronic knee problem. |
When my son was about 4 years old needed an urgent operation on his ears, he was in a lot of pain, I was told that there was an 18 month wait. I blew my top and told the doctor he cant wait that long, he's in agony. The doctor replied that he could do the operation within days if I went private.
Either my son had to endure 18 months of pain or pay up, I paid up.
If I remember correctly I contributed about 11% of my pay for National Insurance, for health care, pension etc. I did some checking and found it was cheaper that if I went totally private (pension and health insurance) then what I was then paying, however, I was unable to opt out of the NHS.
As someone stated on the forum, "If you think health insurance is expensive, wait till its free."