UK has the worst hospitals in Europe?

[QUINNSCOMMENTARY]

The UK health care system is being drawn into the raging debate in the US.

Here is text from an article that recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Having never been to the UK (except a stop at Heathrow), I have no idea what he is talking about, but it doesn't sound good.

For those of you with firsthand knowledge, what do you think?

"Not coincidentally, the U.K. is by far the most unpleasant country in which to be ill in the Western world. Even Greeks living in Britain return home for medical treatment if they are physically able to do so.

The government-run health-care system—which in the U.K. is believed to be the necessary institutional corollary to an inalienable right to health care—has pauperized the entire population. This is not to say that in every last case the treatment is bad: A pauper may be well or badly treated, according to the inclination, temperament and abilities of those providing the treatment. But a pauper must accept what he is given.

Universality is closely allied as an ideal, ideologically, to that of equality. But equality is not desirable in itself. To provide everyone with the same bad quality of care would satisfy the demand for equality. (Not coincidentally, British survival rates for cancer and heart disease are much below those of other European countries, where patients need to make at least some payment for their care.)

In any case, the universality of government health care in pursuance of the abstract right to it in Britain has not ensured equality. After 60 years of universal health care, free at the point of usage and funded by taxation, inequalities between the richest and poorest sections of the population have not been reduced. But Britain does have the dirtiest, most broken-down hospitals in Europe.

There is no right to health care—any more than there is a right to chicken Kiev every second Thursday of the month.

Theodore Dalrymple is the pen name of Anthony Daniels, a British physician. He is a contributing editor to the City Journal. "

[chonsigirl]

Yes, I would want to know their opinion. I just know from my stepsister, a physical therapist in Wales, that the facilities they have are inadequete. And the wait for an MRI is over 1 year!

But it might be totally different in other areas. A good question to ask. (I am not assuming from the beginning it is the worst, because I think every system can use improvement)

[Barman]

I think that is one of the biggest load of old bollocks i have ever read.

The NHS is second to none.
No need to check your wallet before you phone for an ambulance either.

[Snowfire]

Originally Posted by QUINNSCOMMENTARY

The UK health care system is being drawn into the raging debate in the US.

No ! Anything negative people can find is used in the raging debate. And Fox News is very good at finding the maverick dissenter ie Daniel Hannan

There's much wrong with our system but it is a million miles from the picture painted by "Theodore Dalrymple". Me and many of the people I know have had pretty much excellent service from the NHS.

We can always improve the system, not least in the top heavy administration/beaurocracy.

We are not dying in our beds like some Dickensian novel, as some Americans would have the world believe

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Barman

I think that is one of the biggest load of old bollocks i have ever read.

The NHS is second to none.
No need to check your wallet before you phone for an ambulance either.

I have lost most of my family to cancer as well as my husband having advanced cancer and surgery. The NHS could not be faulted in any example. yes, there will always be stories of bad treatment but you get that any where in the world. I have also had my share of open surgery and I could not praise them enough. My husbands after care is second to none. The big difference with the British NHS is that beggar, rich man and immigrant will all be treated the same.

[Barman]

Originally Posted by oscar

I have lost most of my family to cancer as well as my husband having advanced cancer and surgery. The NHS could not be faulted in any example. yes, there will always be stories of bad treatment but you get that any where in the world. I have also had my share of open surgery and I could not praise them enough. My husbands after care is second to none. The big difference with the British NHS is that beggar, rich man and immigrant will all be treated the same.

I have had first hand experience of the NHS as has some of my family.
I am glad you have found them most excellent as i have.

Hit the nail on the head with the red bit.

[Bruv]

The NHS could be a lot better than it is, I shall relate two recent events that brought me into contact with the NHS, and the observer can make their own mind up compared to their own healthcare system.


A work mate had an accident carrying glass, the breaking glass slashed the back of his wrist and caused a deep gash to the top of his head.
After arriving at Accident and Emergency his details were taken by reception, he was seen almost immediately, his wounds treated and an X-ray of his head taken.
The waiting time between the different treatments was long and painfully slow.

My 42 year old daughter suffered with headaches and complained to her doctor who arranged for tests at several hospitals, seeing several specialists, before diagnosed to have a benign brain tumour. She was off work for approximately 6 months receiving several treatments and tests, until she had an operation to remove the tumour. She stayed in hospital for 6 days, and is now hopefully on the road to a full recovery.

Both had no worries concerning need to pay before or after treatment, their taxes had covered their right to the best treatment available.

[Kathy Ellen]

Please don't think that all Americans believe this about the health care in the UK.

I personally had wonderful care when I was in hospital in London and Ireland years ago. I couldn't have gotten better treatment and care. The doctors, nurses and aides were terrific, warm and had great bedside manners....something that some of our doctors do not have here.

[oscar]

Originally Posted by Kathy Ellen

Please don't think that all Americans believe this about the health care in the UK.

I personally had wonderful care when I was in hospital in London and Ireland years ago. I couldn't have gotten better treatment and care. The doctors, nurses and aides were terrific, warm and had great bedside manners....something that some of our doctors do not have here.

Thanks Kathy....... I have 2 sisters who are staff nurses in Brighton and Kent and yes, they are under-funded at times but they do a fantastic job and a very difficult job.

[Kathy Ellen]

Originally Posted by oscar

Thanks Kathy....... I have 2 sisters who are staff nurses in Brighton and Kent and yes, they are under-funded at times but they do a fantastic job and a very difficult job.

I agree Julie...I forgot to add that I was in hospital for 9 days, and it cost very little as compared to prices here. I do get travel medical now since this incident though.