nhs

I’m not known for my patriotism, no not at all. In fact I can’t think of many people of my acquaintance who would readily claim to be ‘proud to be British’ right now. One thing I am proud of though is our health care system, the NHS.

A couple of years ago I remember watching a scene in the L word where Shane is taking her brother to hospital to have his broken arm put into plaster. The bill was $1000. H and I looked at each other and laughed “good thing it’s not like that here” we said as we had recently had a similar trip with youngest kid. I cannot imagine what it would be like to decide whether we could afford to get necessary healthcare when we needed it. I trained as a health professional within our NHS and I can safely say the system is not perfect, but what IS perfect about it is the fact that it is available to everyone no matter whether prince, pauper, race, creed or colour, always, anytime and most importantly free.

Yesterday I went for a pre operative assessment for an upcoming surgery at a hospital (of my choice) near our home. It is a beautiful new unit, sparkling clean and I was whisked through various blood work and other tests by the friendly and professional team who will be looking after me in the future. Afterwards H and I drove home and after reading some of the news coming out of the US I felt I would like to share what the NHS is really like from someone who lives here, uses it regularly and who has worked within it, because what I read of ‘death panels’ bears absolutely no resemblance to reality.

I have never ever had to pay for healthcare. I was born in an NHS hospital as were my four children. I remember reading that Madonna would not dream of having a child born here (“have you seen the hospitals?!”) well all I can say Madge, dear, is that you should have a look at our infant mortality rates and then compare them with yours. You may be surprised. Not only is it free to have babies here we also have a huge choice in HOW we have them. Because our OB’s are not terrified of the ‘sue me’ mentality (yet) we can still legally and safely have babies at home with NHS midwives in attendance, or a ‘too posh to push’ elective C section in hospital should we desire. Our children are assigned an NHS number at birth and all the well baby checkups, vaccinations and doctor’s visits are naturally cost free and on demand.

If one is under sixteen, on a low income, receiving family tax credits or over sixty they will also receive free spectacles, dentistry and prescriptions. Yes free prescriptions. For those of us who have to pay for our prescriptions the cost is £7, about $11 per item. $11. This morning I calculated the best price I could get for my two prescription items every month if I lived in the US, it was $400. $400 a month for medication I need, that I cannot imagine not having access to.

Eighteen months ago we lost my dear father in law to Parkinsons disease. For the last two years of his life he was very unwell indeed. Far from ‘death panels’ deciding his life was not worth it he had sterling care. He was visited THREE times a day by carers to help feed, change and keep him mobile. The doctor visited him at home to discuss his medication. When my mother in law needed a break he was nursed in a lovely centre by caring and dedicated staff. When he died, he died in a spotless NHS hospital, with dignity and having had every last thing possible done to extend his life, to make him comfortable and with full consultation with his family. They could not have done any more, the care was excellent.

I cannot express how incredulous I feel reading what supposedly goes on by people who should know better than spreading ridiculous propaganda.

I have myself had some significant health problems. The supposed (imaginary) £30000 ‘limit’ I read about would have been surpassed for my care decades ago. Strangely enough I haven’t been carted off in the middle of the night for extermination or prevented from having further care.

True I have had to wait for non urgent appointments at times, but any immediate care I or my family may have needed has been there ‘on tap’ time after time. If Holden decided to transition, ze would not have to pay for surgery or analysis. Only a few weeks ago our youngest needed a minor operation. He was treated within a week in a dedicated children’s unit with the most amazing facilities and staff imaginable.

As I said, I do not often feel patriotic, but by George today I feel justly proud of the incredible health care provided by the NHS and therefore of being British.