The history of the NHS was that of an institution that was the envy of the world. The future could be that of an institution that has been trashed by a corrupt political elite.
This is invaluable. Thank you. Brief anecdote: in 1988 I was living and studying in Lancashire as an American exchange student. I came down with bronchitis and was keeping half the students in my college awake with my coughing. Finally one asked why I didn't simply go to the doctor. "Well, I don't have insurance and I can't afford it." My fellow, British, students looked at me like I had suddenly sprouted three heads. "You don't PAY to go to the doctor!" "Well, YOU don't. It's your country. But I'm a foreigner." "So?!" I saw a doctor, he diagnosed me and prescribed meds, and my mates and I were finally able to sleep well for the first time in weeks. My health affected the public well-being, and the state recognized that. What a concept!!
The good old days! Now its more like South Africa. My sister and niece live in the UK, and their many trips to the hospital have been horrible. The last time, they sat 14 hours in a corridor outside a toilet and could hear that most men were not washing their hands, and then rejoining the queue. The corridor was squeezed by elderly patients left alone on trolleys. So much for treating stroke and heart patients quickly to prevent another etc.
Yes. It been quite a contrast over the years - the situation today compared to the period that Val indicates above. I also remember when the NHS generally worked well. Although the situation is a bit better here in Scotland, the pinch is still being felt.
This is invaluable. Thank you. Brief anecdote: in 1988 I was living and studying in Lancashire as an American exchange student. I came down with bronchitis and was keeping half the students in my college awake with my coughing. Finally one asked why I didn't simply go to the doctor. "Well, I don't have insurance and I can't afford it." My fellow, British, students looked at me like I had suddenly sprouted three heads. "You don't PAY to go to the doctor!" "Well, YOU don't. It's your country. But I'm a foreigner." "So?!" I saw a doctor, he diagnosed me and prescribed meds, and my mates and I were finally able to sleep well for the first time in weeks. My health affected the public well-being, and the state recognized that. What a concept!!
The good old days! Now its more like South Africa. My sister and niece live in the UK, and their many trips to the hospital have been horrible. The last time, they sat 14 hours in a corridor outside a toilet and could hear that most men were not washing their hands, and then rejoining the queue. The corridor was squeezed by elderly patients left alone on trolleys. So much for treating stroke and heart patients quickly to prevent another etc.
Yes. It been quite a contrast over the years - the situation today compared to the period that Val indicates above. I also remember when the NHS generally worked well. Although the situation is a bit better here in Scotland, the pinch is still being felt.
An exceptional article!
Privatization is the curse of our age. But this is an age of stupidity and greed.
Thus its appropriate for our era. I look forward to the next zeitgeist.
Thank you!
Very interesting article very detailed
Excellent, thank you. Been waiting for something like this for a long time.