I know it's been said elsewhere and many times but the NHS is unique in the world and something for the U.K. to be extremely proud of.
I've been to many places and have first or close second-hand experience with health care in the USA, Spain, Germany, Peru and the U.K.
We all know the issues with the nightmare of American health care. It's true that they have the world's best... if you can afford it! Yet their paranoia about "socialized" medicine as some kind of facist/communist plot is pitiful.
Spain has national health care but the standards still have a way to climb. Plus there is a lot more bureaucracy standing between patient and doctor or hospital. It's not all free at the point of delivery and they've even taking to charging foreigners in advance in some cases: no pay, no care.
Germany has national health with excellent standards but the bureaucracy is nearly overwhelming. I also hear numerous reports of "lower class" types of patients being treated with contempt.
Peru... what can I say? Ranges from 3rd world at worst and 2nd world at best (except for the wealthy!).
For a dental emergency my Peruvian friend brought me to his "dentist", an unlicensed 18-year old practicing from a shed in the family garden. I had a sudden "miracle recovery" when my fear outweighed the pain of my toothache!
Despite its problems, the NHS is the true miracle. As tourists in Devon my wife suffered some frightening chest pain. We went to the nearest medical center, a small hospital in Axminster. Within minutes she was getting an ecg and then given the all-clear. No forms, no ID, no bill! (medical problems that affect U.K. visitors during their visit are covered)
On another occasion I had an unusual asthma attack, probably from high ozone levels during the record-breaking summer of 2003. There was no waiting at the tiny Devon hospital and the NHS treated me free of charge.
I could relate a dozen more situations that were just as remarkable. There's no other place in the world where you could experience the same treatment.
Of course the Brits grumble about it relentlessly, but that's there prerogative!
