What’s the point in the NHS?

My friend did the same recently, severe sprain, torn ligaments and tendons, came home with boot for 6 weeks, 2 weeks with foot elevated, crutches & told physio would be in touch which they have, she was waiting 8 hours in a & e as they were at full capacity but can't fault the treatment.

The thing with how insurance works is that you don't pay for everything up front

Why look at US charges, we're in Europe

Google how much this would be if you had a private consultation! You’ve damaged some ligaments they heal in their own. Stop being dramatic or get private insurance.

If pain is caused by an infection, of course antibiotics will reduce the pain.

Really? Because it’s a good comparison of costs if you had to pay for them! The UK is free at the point of delivery!

OTOH, DH had his second stent in another blocked coronary artery seven years ago. The consultant who did it, commented that his first one was a short stent and it should have been a long one. He said

”We’ll have to keep an eye on that, as it could get blocked either end, and keep aggressively on top of your cholesterol!”

Have they? No! He went to his GPs a year ago, as his cholesterol was still high, despite being on the maximum dose of statins. They referred him to the Lipid clinic, as he needs another drug. The appointment is this November.

We both get the distinct impression that our local hospital (whose A & E has missed 4 fractures in 2 relatives), doesn’t bother with people over 65?

@BurntBroccoli You've quoted dollars. Those figures are wrong anyway. Most private initial appointments are at least £200 with a consultant and more like £250-£300, for up to an hour.

But that is not how insurance works. It's like house or car insurance- you pay your annual premium and it covers you for XYZ, if approved.

You pay an annual premium depending on your age and medical history- it can start at around £35 ish a month for some basic policies.

That covers any out patient appts up to a certain amount, and any treatment/ surgery if approved. The invoices are sent to the medical provider, or yourself to forward to them.

The NHS is actually supposed to be more for emergencies/serious conditions and it has just grown. When we have such an economic issue in the UK, actually your treatment was appropriate. They properly assessed you in a reasonable time given the lack of emergency. They ruled out something more serious. The only thing you can really do with your issue is to rest and take painkillers. Paracetamol is very very cheap to buy but costs the NHS more. I very much doubt a doctor told you to use chat gpt - sorry but that is very unbelievable and if they did you should flag that with pals. Otherwise I'm not really sure what else you reasonably expect. They told you how you can get crutches even. If you want anything more above and beyond the necessary, pay for it.

You come on here criticising the NHS but then what's the alternative? You want everyone to end up paying for private insurance which will cost you more and also mean poor people struggle to receive sufficient care? You want to pay more tax for the NHS and have less money yourself a month? You can voluntarily donate to the NHS if you want.

Of course it isn't a good comparison of costs. What a strange thing to say. Why not look at health systems that aren't thousands of miles away?

Unless you’re critically ill I really don’t think there is much point to the NHS anymore.

It’s brilliant in providing life saving treatment but useless at early diagnosis of cancer and particularly useless with anything minor like sprains and fractures.

Anyone else wondering if op is looking to make drama out of her injury as a precursor to sick leave and/or a claim?