Not too familiar yet with the French system but the Belgian system works by everyone having medical insurance which they either pay for privately or is paid for by their employers or is state funded if poor and/or unemployed. The first thing they do is check your ID card whose chip now includes medical status and how to bill so there is no freeloading as in the NHS with health tourists.
The quality of care depends on the hospital and staff. Some I knew to avoid and others are world class. Waiting times depend on availability of beds and doctors not insurance levels tho better insurance entitles you to a private or shared 2 bed ward rather than a shared 4 bed. Belgium takes patients from the UK NHS to relieve the load for some procedures.
The NHS is underfunded, badly managed and expected to do far too much. That's as much about poor social education and everyone seemingly thinking they have rights but no responsibilities. Just need to look at the abuses of 999 call system and attacks on staff and vehicles answering emergencies whether out in the streets or A&E.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I think we need to be very careful when we are judgemental about the life style of others. I have treated overdoses, where without treatment, they would have died. I am sure many of these people went on to lead normal lives.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Currently I'm sitting in ITU desperately wishing they would discharge me. There seems to be an overcautious approach which may be down to the current ligations environment. The NHS certainly seems disjointed and if like me you now reach across three depts it can be a logistic nightmare. But and a big but 99.9% OF THE STAFF ARE FANTASTIC AND DO A RELLYBGOOD JOB.
I have worked in Medical Laboratories both on the NHS & private side. I agree with all of what @punkdoc said. Some of the other comments are a bit offside though. I did a management course & we were told that compared to many industries the NHS was UNDERMANAGED!! One of the biggest issues in my experience is they will not leave well alone when it is working. Successive governments seem to think the solution is endless reorganisation, management consultants brought in paid a fortune to tell you what you already know but then to cut, cut, & cut some more. Making Doctors, scientists & nurses into managers then "oh there are too many managers " so they cut a whole tier out & loose all that experience. I also have a relative who saw a consultant privately but then had back surgery on the NHS but at the private clinic, when there were complications back at home the clinic was very strident- (it was Friday evening) "don't come back here there is no-one here who can help go to A&E". I could go on at great length.
Well the floor fitters eventually arrived tonight - 2 hours late. Refused to trim the doors (shop said they would) then they went to the van to get my flooring and I pointed out it was the wrong flooring. Only after throwing a hissy fit and telling them I had a joiner arranged to come tomorrow to do work in that room, was it arranged that they would return tomorrow morning with the right flooring. I will have to ask the joiner to do the doors but I will still be having strong words with the shop. This is the second time I have had issues with the fitters - and there won't be a third time!!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Posts
The quality of care depends on the hospital and staff. Some I knew to avoid and others are world class. Waiting times depend on availability of beds and doctors not insurance levels tho better insurance entitles you to a private or shared 2 bed ward rather than a shared 4 bed. Belgium takes patients from the UK NHS to relieve the load for some procedures.
The NHS is underfunded, badly managed and expected to do far too much. That's as much about poor social education and everyone seemingly thinking they have rights but no responsibilities. Just need to look at the abuses of 999 call system and attacks on staff and vehicles answering emergencies whether out in the streets or A&E.
I have treated overdoses, where without treatment, they would have died. I am sure many of these people went on to lead normal lives.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I also have a relative who saw a consultant privately but then had back surgery on the NHS but at the private clinic, when there were complications back at home the clinic was very strident- (it was Friday evening) "don't come back here there is no-one here who can help go to A&E".
I could go on at great length.