Just recently someone I know very well had an unfortunate connection with a kerb, and due to the grip on his shoes was catapulted into the gutter. He was a bit winded and his glasses had sustained a graze, but he got up, dusted himself down and went on without further incident to the restaurant where he was due to meet his friends, and after a delicious and sociable meal, they all went on to a pub to meet other chums. The following morning, however, he realised something was not quite right with his knee. He was not in his home town and was directed by the hotel receptionist to go to the small injuries clinic at a local hospital rather than A&E (Accident and Emergency) – which he did.
Because he lives in the UK he pays for all his health care through his taxes; he has various medications which he takes all the time (free) and on the occasion of this visit to this hospital in a distant town he received, completely free:
- consultation with a triage nurse (free)
- pain-killers (free)
- examination by a nurse (free)
- examination by a paramedic (free)
- four x-rays (free)
- another examination by the paramedic (free)
- another three x-rays (free)
- as he had fractured his knee he was given a cricket-pad splint (a comfortable sturdy, foam/mesh construction cricket pad type knee splint with alternating web straps and loop contact closure. This is a very light and comfortable knee splint to use following knee injury or knee surgery.) (free)
- he was given a pair of crutches (free)
- he was given a prescription for the pain killers (free)
- he was referred to his local fracture clinic at the hospital near his home (free)
- free telephone call to local taxi firm (free)
- he was treated with kindness, respect and proficiency by friendly, pleasant and well-trained staff – five people altogether (receptionist, triage nurse, nurse, para-medic, x-ray technician)
We are so fortunate to have our National Health Service, and we should not take it for granted or waste its precious resources and nor should any government try to turn it into a profit-making commercial enterprise; we should still have a fully public National Health Service!!
My featured image is of the School of Medicine, Hobart, Tasmania
Lois Elsden 
It’s important to make sure that there is no threat of privatisation creeping in
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Absolutely! Making money out of people who are ill is just the lowest! The NHS is so precious.
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You are extremely fortunate. We have a similar system in Australia and my husbands cancer treatment cost us absolutely zero. A private room, lovely nurses, comfortable chemo lounges, even the parking for me to visit him – Zero. I will never complain about medicare again. When we really needed it, it came through. I am so glad that your friend is alright.
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Thanks! Actually he’s my husband – so he has a nurse at home (i.e. me!!) He has crutches and is quit mobile, it’s just the stairs which need care!
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We have similar health care in Canada but if you get a doctor who doesn’t like you,hasn’t a clue and couldn’t care less then you are stuck with him and things go down hill.Sorry about hubby. Hope it’s not the leg for the base drum peddle?
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It’s his kneecap – so he reckons he can still bash that base peddle! He’s out tonight with his bass ukulele!
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Love the NHS!!!
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We are so lucky!
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I just thought that he uses one foot for the base drum and the other for the top hat cymbals.How on earth did he trip over a curb?
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it was graduated down for wheelchairs – actually I’ve done the same, but not in the same place – I catapulted myself forwards and threw a load of letters I was taking to the post office all over a wet path… I was not happy… but at least I didn’t break my knee!
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