In praise of...the NHS

At the moment there's a lot in the press about the NHS, as President Obama is trying to reform health care in the USA. All I can say is good luck to him. I think what he's trying to do is amazing, but he really has a fight on his hands.

Now I'm proud of the NHS. Yes, it's flawed. It's not prefect, but what system is? My recent experience has been an exemplary example of the treatment the NHS provides. My hubbie and I were attended by 2 ambulances with 4 paramedics arriving within 2 minutes of the crash. One of the ambulances took us to hospital where we were X-rayed, examined and given strong pain killers. All free.

We were operated on and had to stay in hospital for 2 nights. We were well fed, watered and cared for by all staff. From cleaners to consultants. All free.

On discharge from hospital we were given a large selection of pain killers to take home with us. All free.

We had follow-up consultants' appointments and X-rays. All free.

We had physiotherapy sessions. All free.

All of this treatment would have cost us thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds. We are comfortably off, but there's no way we could have afforded all the treatment.

We may not have been covered by health insurance or the whole cost may not have been covered.

The NHS rocks. Also, like many people in the UK, I have friends and relatives who good quality lives as a result of the treatment the NHS provides. Some may be dead or seriously disabled if not for NHS treatment.

And to any American reading this - The NHS to us Brits is a bit like a close relative that drives you to distraction. They are flawed, but you love them, are proud of them and NO-ONE berates them but you. Brits can moan about the NHS, but leave it alone. Oh, and check your facts. Stephen Hawking would not have been left to die by the NHS. In fact, it is because of the NHS he's alive. And he's British.