Healthcare in The United Kingdom

We've done the US, Canada, and France. None of them are really socialized healthcare systems. To get at that, we need to go look at a system like that of the UK. More specifically, we're going to talk about England's National Health Service. See what a real "government run" system looks like, how it compares to yours, and what's good (and not so good) about it.

For those of you who want more information or references, go here:

John Green -- Executive Producer
Stan Muller -- Director, Producer
Aaron Carroll -- Writer
Mark Olsen -- Graphics

[DannyMercer]

I've never been in a poorly equipped, dirty NHS hospital. In fact, the one where I work as a practitioner is one of the finest eye hospitals in the world, running cutting edge research on AMD, diabetic retinopathy and much more.

[michaelkwright]

I've never seen a dirty hospital.

[detcord]

You know how many people go bankrupt in the UK because of medical bills? Zero.

The NHS may have its cranky parts, but so far I have had cancer treatment, optical treatment, orthodontic surgery, crushed discs repaired, mental health treatment, I'm on my third set of hearing aids and all of my medications cost me £0.00 every time. Gee, I had to wait for seven weeks once to see my world-class consultant for FREE.. So what?

This week I had a tooth crack, so called NHS 111, which is also free, and they got me an appointment within the hour with a 24hr dentist, for which I had to pay £18.80 for the out of hours service.

Give me 'evil' socialist healthcare anyday. The healthcare in the US is a racket.

[jlw]

If there was a vote now as to whether we should get rid of the NHS it would be an over-whelming no. In fact it would probably result in riots and the government being booted out of power. It's not perfect but we British love it.

[TheYopogo]

If someone needs help, they are just given it.
That's it.
The NHS is pretty much the most powerful symbol of human decency we have.
That's why people love it.

[philipgater]

hospitals in the uk are as clean as any developed country

[tomd]

A friend got hit by a car two months ago. He was airlifted to hospital (free). (The police closed the road for several hours because they believed that they were investigating the scene of his death). He was stabilised in intensive care for his multiple injuries, including concussion and stroke caused by the injuries to his head including crushed sinuses ( free). Once stabilised he spent two weeks in a trauma unit (free). He spent a month in a stroke unit were he began speaking. He had a sieve inserted in an artery to collect blood clots as they changed his blood thinners (free). He I'd now in a neurological units and is gradually recovering. So far his family have not paid a single penny towards his treatment. This is a good thing since it will take many months before he will make an adequate recovery. The staff are wonderful. I can't believe that he would have received better care anywhere else in the world

[vectoredthrust]

As a Foreign Student, I found the system exceedingly simple and efficient, and I love it. Literally all I had to do was sign up with a GP at my university's medical centre, and I'm in.

I've only seen my GP once since then, and while I had to wait a couple of weeks, it was an elective procedure and still free.

When I start working next year, I'm actually looking forward to finally paying taxes, knowing I'm finally going to give back to this brilliant system, no matter how little I've taken from it

[MrDragon]

National Health Service of England? Don't you mean the UK? And 'technology is no where near other countries'? Seriously? UK medical science is a world leader.

[Whoami]

At the end of the day, the NHS is great, at the end of the day, if i break an arm, i do not need to worry about payment, yea i might wait a little longer, but i don't care. It is FREE healthcare. When you remove the profit motive, all that remains is service, and our NHS staff are miracle workers doing what they do day in day out keeping the country healthy.

[badalice]

I love the NHS. Can't imagine having to pay for any sort of healthcare like you guys do in the USA. Main concern is that the current government is trying to gradually privatise it and I really don't want that to happen.

[kill]

You may hear British people moan about the NHS, but we moan about everything, the NHS saved my life. I had a Subdural Empyema when i was 14 and was treated in Great Ormond street hospital. If i had been in the US my parents would have had to take out huge loans to pay for my 14 odd week hospital stay.

God bless the NHS and God save the Queen :)

 

[Correctrix]

British people complain about the NHS all the time.  They complain that even more tax money should be put into it, never that it should be dismantled and citizens thrown to the wolves of private insurance.

[andyorr]

We do love our NHS! (And that's throughout the UK, not just England by the way...)

Also, important to remember that aside from the potential financial benefits of our system, if you are sick in the UK, YOU GET HELP. Regardless of your bank account. Amazes me that so many Americans can back what seems like a borderline 'evil' healthcare system when viewed from our perspective...

[ebrahimjamshid]

Not gonna lie we in Britain moan far too much about our healthcare when actually it is one of the best in the world. One chat with family friends in America made me realise how lucky I am

[James-xusc]

"in spite of the English diet"? Rich coming from an American!

[elsa]

THE BRITISH ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE NHS

[GlowingAlien]

The British don't hate it - in fact, we love it. What is something we complain about is the fact that some more right wing governments are trying to cut funds based on fear mongering and incorrect statistics in an attempt to play a political game.

Also, I am pretty surprised that it's been labeled as "dirty", because in every hospital that I've been to, it's been vibrant, upgraded and clean. Only once has something looked depressing, and that was mainly because it was where everyone died, not because it was dirty.

However, thank you for noting that they're working on fixing the issues - they really are. It's a fantastic system and a lot of hospitals are upgrading to be more modern. 

I love the NHS.

[mimiHTcat]

i was born in london and my younger sisters were born in new york and my mom said the london hospital was like 100x times nicer and cleaner than the new york one so...

[baitcat]

"Despite the UK diet" what's that compared to? The American diet? Don't make me laugh.