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Original poster

What’s the point in the NHS?

757 replies

younknow · 25/09/2026 23:20

I fell over at work today. My ankle was immediately black and blue and swollen, so I hobbled off to urgent care in a taxi.

I waited for four hours, I was x-rayed and told there were no breaks and a severe sprain. The doctor told me I’ve likely torn ligaments in my ankle and will be sore for three months.

I asked what sort of follow up would be given and she all but laughed at me, saying that I could get myself a support on Amazon if I wanted. I said I couldn’t even weight bear and she said I could also pick up crutches if needed. She then said I could refer to physio but “ChatGPT would give me a plan”. I asked if I’d be scanned to find out how badly damaged it is and she said there was no chance.

What is the point? Genuinely, what are we paying for when even things like this are being directed to Amazon and A.I?! I can’t believe it.

I remember 15 years ago my mum tore ligaments in her ankle and she was scanned the same day it happened, put in a boot and on crutches for six weeks, had a course of physio and consultations with an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss a plan if it didn’t improve.

What’s going on?!

OP posts:
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ForCalmScroller · Today 12:39

The NHS is there to employ as many entitled lazy public sector workers as possible and occasionally treat people.
I had a chest infection not long back before i went away and the doctor said oh well you can buy antiobiotics over the counter abroad. I dont care i pay to run the NHS, give me free medicine

noodlebugz · Today 12:39

@RosesAndHellebores The OP had said America in the post I was quoting. Their system is brutal.

I agree with you that we need big change / perhaps a system like the rest of Europe but she needs to check her privilege (free at the point of care) because the LAST thing we want or need is a system like America.

Constantrunner · Today 12:39

@Badbadbunny lol honestly I lived in Canada a few years back and have lots of friends there. I hear constant complaints about he Canadian health service. Those who defend it all say well at least it's not like the US.

Stompythedinosaur · Today 12:49

ForCalmScroller · Today 12:39

The NHS is there to employ as many entitled lazy public sector workers as possible and occasionally treat people.
I had a chest infection not long back before i went away and the doctor said oh well you can buy antiobiotics over the counter abroad. I dont care i pay to run the NHS, give me free medicine

NHS employees are lazy and entitled but checks post you're cross about your perceived entitlements not been met in the way you think they should be!

Fantastic! Made me smile!

Personally I think the NHS is great. It sounds like the op had the medical assessment they needed, but didn't value it because the response of the clinician wasn't what she wanted.

Constantrunner · Today 12:52

Stompythedinosaur · Today 12:49

NHS employees are lazy and entitled but checks post you're cross about your perceived entitlements not been met in the way you think they should be!

Fantastic! Made me smile!

Personally I think the NHS is great. It sounds like the op had the medical assessment they needed, but didn't value it because the response of the clinician wasn't what she wanted.

Show quote history

Yep if poster had needed antibiotics they would have got them. Sounds like they wanted some just in case. The NHS is not there to replace travel insurance

Doriangraysattic · Today 13:03

ForCalmScroller · Today 12:39

The NHS is there to employ as many entitled lazy public sector workers as possible and occasionally treat people.
I had a chest infection not long back before i went away and the doctor said oh well you can buy antiobiotics over the counter abroad. I dont care i pay to run the NHS, give me free medicine

Jeez. Whatever you, don't ever stop paying tax!! The nhs will collapse. I had no idea only one person funded it!!

LoveItaly · Today 13:48

Newmumatlast · Today 11:27

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.

Why can’t we have a healthcare system like the one in France, Germany, Denmark, Poland etc? There are more healthcare systems in the world besides the NHS and the US system, and many of them work very well.

The NHS is the world’s fifth-largest employer, and yet still doesn’t deliver consistent quality healthcare. It is just not fit for purpose anymore, and until more people accept that we will be stuck with a lumbering, wasteful and inadequate system. This is not to say that it doesn’t have excellent medical staff, though, over the years I have met many skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals.

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