My son was back in hospital last week, being rushed in with all the symptoms of a virus. His consultant was brought down, suggested that what he had was a virus, but wanted him to start some anti-biotics just in case it wasn't (as anti's are no good for viruses).
He went home, then a routine blood pressure test was high, so in he went again. His Consultant, one of the old school, polite, firm, fair and very, very good with people in a headmasterly way, especially came in on Saturday (his day off) to see him. It turned out that this virus wasn't a virus, but a bacterial infection that started in his eyes of all places, and that his assertion of starting him off on anti-biotics worked a treat.

Some people slag off the NHS, but again our local little hospital and a consultant who is rapidly approaching retirement (God forbid in his case, he is superb) going above and beyond.

I couldn't agree more. Our 2 year old girl was being treated for cancer until the end of last year and the treatment received was first class. From the nurses to the surgeons we knew from the offset that our child was in good hands. This opinion was expressed by other parents we spoke to on the ward. I don't think the NHS gets the credit it deserves from the media. Its always a bad new story.

NHS costs over £300B - all who arrive (today) on these shores are entitled to the same treatment as mine. I am the same age as JK, and yes, there are some good doctors in the NHS. If you're very lucky to get one.

steveimp wrote:
anti-biotics are no good for viruses

Factually incorrect.

My father- and he was a banker who was well of- always supported the NHS.

He used to tell me how as a kid he and his sister both had quite serious illnesses and spent a few months each in hospital long before the NHS. The bills were paid by the Red Cross- most unusual and they were very lucky as most missed out.

The NHS is one of the great miracles of Britain even in it's present state.

The reason the Republicans and their drug company supporters are fighting so dirty to nix Obama's health care is because once in-socialised medicine is there forever. Even conservatives end up supporting it through gritted teeth.

veritas wrote:
The NHS is one of the great miracles of Britain even in it's present state

A miracle? No.

Its badly run and is the third largest employer - in the world!

To provide free health care to every UK resident is, perhaps, laudable - but we just can't afford it.

Rick wrote:
veritas wrote:
The NHS is one of the great miracles of Britain even in it's present state

A miracle? No.

Its badly run and is the third largest employer - in the world!

To provide free health care to every UK resident is, perhaps, laudable - but we just can't afford it.

It isn't free.

Rick wrote:
veritas wrote:
The NHS is one of the great miracles of Britain even in it's present state

A miracle? No.

Its badly run and is the third largest employer - in the world!

To provide free health care to every UK resident is, perhaps, laudable - but we just can't afford it.

that's a management problem,. The concept is fine and it works superbly in Canada and Australia.

what's wrong with the government employing so many people ? The only time employment becomes a problem is when they are civil servants.
It's the old building roads is an 'investment' ( as they suually help private industry) and building public transport is a 'subsidy' syndrome.

what would you put in it's place ?

veritas wrote:
what would you put in it's place ?

A leaner NHS - which is means tested.

veritas wrote:
what's wrong with the government employing so many people ?

Because governments don't run businesses very well !

Can you name ANY nationalised industry that didn't lose Zillions ? (Railways / NCB etc etc ?)

I DO support the NHS - but the waste must be massive.

Angel wrote:
Our 2 year old girl was being treated for cancer until the end of last year and the treatment received was first class.

Didn't know that, angel - hope all is well now ?

In The Know wrote:
Angel wrote:
Our 2 year old girl was being treated for cancer until the end of last year and the treatment received was first class.

Didn't know that, angel - hope all is well now ?

Yes, she is in remission now with further check ups over the next 3 years until she gets the all clear. Fingers crossed. Thanks.

Angel wrote:
In The Know wrote:
Angel wrote:
Our 2 year old girl was being treated for cancer until the end of last year and the treatment received was first class.

Didn't know that, angel - hope all is well now ?

Yes, she is in remission now with further check ups over the next 3 years until she gets the all clear. Fingers crossed. Thanks.

Likewise, it must be a strain. I was born with Cleft Lip and Palate and really admire my mum for all the hours she spent supporting me through the 'mending' process. Fingers crossed indeed.

I love the NHS, its flawed, but I couldn't do anything better

In The Know wrote:
veritas wrote:
what's wrong with the government employing so many people ?

Because governments don't run businesses very well !

Can you name ANY nationalised industry that didn't lose Zillions ? (Railways / NCB etc etc ?)

I DO support the NHS - but the waste must be massive.

complete rubbish. Governments have run enterprises extremely well considering many are non-profit making and require massive subsidies (an investment in people) such as railways, public transport.

another of the fantasies and great myths of unchecked capitalism..that somehow there are men and women out there who if in private business who can perform miracles in a private enterprise but in a public one will do the opposite.

give me an industry that has been built up by taxpayers over decades and I will run it superbly...doesn't matter if I know nothing about it..give me a privatised NHS and I will have it performing brilliantly.

You will pay through the nose and be bankrupted when you get a cold but who cares..as long it is profitable.

that sort of idiotic thinking is why we have privatised jails and wars now.

dont you people learn anything when it's fucking well thrust in front of your frigging noses ?..hello ! ..2008 economic meltdown !!..bank bailouts !!..

Means testing is the only answer for the the NHS which should not be available to all and sundry - including illegals.

If people can afford to pay for treatment, they should. The needy should have it free.

Means testing would provide the levels of payment required from individuals who are entitled.

One of the reasons the UK has so many illegals (the number is simply unknown - but is believed to run into millions) is the easy accesss to medical treatment.

veritas wrote:
dont you people learn anything when it's fucking well thrust in front of your frigging noses ?..hello ! ..2008 economic meltdown !!..bank bailouts !!..

Labour Governments (yet again) costing us Zillions ?

IMF must get ready for the phone call every time there's a Loony Labour gov !!!!???

Rick wrote:
veritas wrote:
what would you put in it's place ?

A leaner NHS - which is means tested.

The NHS isn't free, it's why we pay National Insurance.

I agree you need to get rid of the management consultants and so forth, and have a back office function that is there to support the surgeons, the nurses and the Doctors, and not the other way round as it appears sometimes.

Sophie wrote:
Means testing is the only answer for the the NHS which should not be available to all and sundry - including illegals.

If people can afford to pay for treatment, they should. The needy should have it free.

Means testing would provide the levels of payment required from individuals who are entitled.

One of the reasons the UK has so many illegals (the number is simply unknown - but is believed to run into millions) is the easy accesss to medical treatment.

But that is advocating several tiers of the NHS and don't forget those who want private healthcare still get it, as do those who want private schooling.

If you are in a car crash do you really want someone to ask if you are in BUPA or check your credit worthiness or do you want treatment straight away by an ambulance service run by the NHS rushing you to the nearest A&E?

Don't forget there is a difference between proper capitalism and downright spivvery.

In America, the healthcare system is run by Spivs, the insurance companies rake in all the cash and by the time you have put on your gown it's run out!

No it's not - viruses attack the DNA, anti-biotics cannot do anything with a viral infection, only with a bacterial one.

health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/medication/question88.htm