I had Surgery | My Experience with the NHS | An American in England | USA vs UK Healthcare Costs 

The NHS is something the UK should be proud of and respect... 👍🏻🇬🇧❤️

I am British and a retired nurse,married to an American.We lived in California for about twenty years and I worked fora short time in a couple of doctors offices.I couldn’t do it for long as I couldn’t stand dealing with people who couldn’t see the doctor because they couldn’t afford it and one doctor insisted every patient had an injection every time they came (including children) this was so he could claim on insurance.I left there as soon as I could,it just disgusted me. We returned to the UK about 16 years ago,my husband had a routine scan given to all men in their sixties,they discovered he had an aneurysm ( a balloon in the artery) they followed him for several years and then in the midst of Covid it became enlarged and he had to have a six hour operation and a couple of days in intensive care.He is now fully recovered following the excellent care he received.Had we stayed in America he would probably be dead as I don’t believe they have routine scans for this so that saved his life. I fully appreciate the NHS especially seeing the American system,however I’m not sure they will ever get anything like it as many many Americans believe the NHS is “socialist “ which is another way of saying communist.They think European health care is second rate and they have the best of everything.I do appreciate this doctor and others that come here to work and help in our NHS,thank you.

“No society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of a lack of means.” --- Aneurin Bevan, Minister of Health (1945-51)

Thank you for coming to work in the NHS. Doctors, nurses, porters and everyone that works in the NHS are my heroes. Hope your knee is back to normal, soon.

I'm always amazed when people are interviewed on this subject in the States and many are voraciously against universal healthcare.What we have in this country may not be perfect and certainly needs more money,equipment and staff as the present pandemic has shown but is a great service.Long may it reign.

I’m a Tour Guide in York. One of my favourite buildings is St Leonard’s Hospital. It was founded in 936 during the so called Dark Ages, although the current ruined building dates back just to the 1100s. 250 Beds with 70 Staff it was surprisingly modern in design with high ceilings to circulate the air and so reduce infection. Everyone treated equally and all paid for through local taxation. It’s time America caught up with the Dark Ages.

Thank you so much for sharing this story. The NHS is widely regarded in the UK as a national treasure, and those who work for it (including you) as heroes and angels. From a moral viewpoint, being sick or having a serious accident is not a privilege that you save up for. It is a misfortune, perhaps a catastrophe, for you and your family. In a civilised society, we take care of each other when there is the need, and we don’t check your credit rating first. I think the NHS is the right approach to healthcare for any country. We all pay into the “national insurance” scheme in our taxes - those of us who earn more, pay more. When we need healthcare, the charge is zero. We already contributed, or will in our lifetime. I lived and worked in the USA for 14 years and had health insurance through my job. US healthcare costs are very high, and the care quality is not better. They are high partly because medical staff need malpractice insurance because of litigation by patients or insurers to recover costs. They are also high because staff do more than is really necessary - to cover themselves. However, if you are poor or unemployed, you might not be able to afford insurance payments. Insurers will not cover new clients for “pre-existing” or long-term conditions, so don’t try to switch insurers. Now that I am elderly, I am VERY glad to be back in the UK with the NHS.

As a British tax paying citizen and an employee of the NHS. Thank you for your service and devotion. It’s people like yourself with a beautiful heart that keep us safe and proud. 😘

I don’t have children, or want them, but I’m happy to pay through my taxes for good schools and everyone to have a good education. I don’t therefore understand why people don’t feel the same way about paying for healthcare even if you don’t need it. If your neighbour’s house is on fire you don’t complain that it was your tax money being used to help.

It is lovely to hear appreciation of the National Health Service that we have here in the UK! Thank you for your carefully crafted and enjoyable video!

The NHS is such a privilege.. hope all is well

I can think of no better use for my tax pounds than caring for the sick and injured.

I just want to say thank you for being one of our wonderful doctors. You are appreciated by the people if not the government.

My father in law is a UK doctor and had a below knee amputation a few years back. He wanted to be awake to watch too, and eventually got them to film the operation and give him a copy.

What a lovely woman. That was a long description of her medical woes but she kept my interest all the way through. Just Be careful with that wee knee of yours in future hen. All the best to you.

Thank god I was born in a country with a NHS.

I'm a Brit who has liver and kidney problems. Once I actually had to be flown by helicopter in the middle of the night to the mainland ( I live on the Isle of Wight which has a great hospital but the one in Southampton was bigger and had people that were there that could treat me). I cannot imagine how much that would have cost me if I lived in the USA. Since I've had good knows how many blood tests, ultrasounds and endoscopies. I've worked all my life and continue to work all I can, but even so I would never have been able to afford the healthcare that I was given for free by the NHS. They are truly great people, and the NHS is one of the things that any political party dare not touch. I feel genuinely feel sorry for Americans - paying for an ambulance? (911 is great, they will send you a couple of paramedics to assess you and tell you if you need to go to the hospital or not. I got a ride in the ambulance and they sorted all the paperwork for me. Genuinely lovely kind people).

I am currently sat up in the Royal Gwent hospital following surgery I had earlier today. I have my own room, have received exceptional care, nice food and all this would be the case regardless of my financial situation. The NHS is worth it’s weight in gold!

Thank you. The NHS (and all who sail in her) is the pride of Britain.

Thank you for coming to this country and providing us with your amazing skillset to help others I love the NHS and with people like you its more amazing.

To be honest, NHS is really a good healthcare system. Many developing country try to mimic healthcare system like NHS. The care is also comprehensive really the same as what you mentioned but also based on my relative experiences who visit UK in the past and sadly have to get medical treatment in NHS for certain reason.

Welcome to our medical service sorry about your knee, but glad you came to work in the system. Also thank you for providing such a clear and very easy to understand comparison, the NHS is the gift that keeps on giving and people abuse it. They abuse the staff, they abuse the medicines and waste appointments because they can't be bothered to turn up. This is where I thing the one change to the NHS should happen, if you make a dentist appointment and don't turn up you still have to pay for time wasting. My entire family of 6 went down with Covid in February I never ever want to have that again. I was the worst because I have a very weakened immune system, the NHS staff who have worked with this running rampant deserve a medal and a HUGE pay rise. When an insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies profits are more important than a human being things have gone wrong somewhere. I haven't worked for 7 years now, I also worked within the health care system, but I dealt with dementia and Alzheimer care. I had a heart attack at 47 which also ruptured an artery while I was on the table having stents put in had I been any where else I would not have made it. My work days were over especially in the field I worked. I was on the sick for a whole YEAR, and still got paid, after going for an assessment to see if I could return to work, the answer was no, I had now a weakened area of the heart which meant I was a danger to the elderly patients if they needed hoisting or lifting, I was left taken a lot of medication, that alone would have cost me a fortune but because these are now life long I get a medical exemption card. as does my son who has type 1 diabetes, When I was told I could not return that floored me I worked so hard to get my qualifications. The NHS is funded by general taxation but is also supplemented by national insurance. since I had lost my job I worried that my pension would be affected I then found out you can still contribute any of your missing years. I love my country and I love its people the NHS people complain about it, I have never done that. The thought have having to worry about becoming ill or my children ill or even having children for that matter, or having an accident it fills me with horror.

In 2019 my Dad's eyesight was deteriorating quite quickly, and he was frail, the waiting list for cataracts was long....so the hospital booked him in to see the same surgeon but on a private wing and the wait time was 7 days. Cost to my Dad £0.00 Sadly macular degeneration meant my Dad saw almost no Improvement. But even though he was 90 at the time, they still cared about his quality of life. The NHS is amazing. Free at the point of service is the right thing for a civilised society.

Thanks for working in the NHS you are the real heroes

Cuba has one of the best health care in the world, despite the best efforts of America.

One thing you will never see in the UK is people wearing wrist bands that say: "Do not call an ambulance. I cannot afford it" That one thing says all people need to know about how great the NHS is as an idea, as an institution and as part of the UK way of life. We take care of each other and we invest in our mutual health well being because the country and economy is better off by us doing this. And we created this magnificent concept two years after the UK was devastated by 6 years of war and bankrupted by debt. So when people say 'we cannot afford to do it' my reply is 'you cannot afford NOT to do it'. Americans say they live in the Land of the Free and yet they are not free to be ill.

Enjoyed this video. NHS is our lifeline.

The UK has a health care system The USA has a wealth care system If collective knighthoods were possible the NHS would have had one years ago, a collective George Cross is possible should be awarded to the NHS.

Thank you for this video and thank you for working within our NHS . As I approach my 70's I have had my health care fully supported by our wonderful NHS.

Thanks for you RU-vid post, it was great to hear of your experience of the NHS, even thought it was during the Covid19 pandemic. It was very interesting to see an example cost of US health system. It good to hear you are now doing well.

Thank you for your honest appreciation of what have here . Our system is under threat and I hope your video will motivate people here to defend it. I also hope it may change some options back home for you and your fellow texans and the other states too. Also thank you for what you have done for all us UK citizens whilst working here, because I suspect you are paying tax twice, correct me if I'm wrong please.

I love this. Your video randomly showed up for me today and I’m glad it did. This was great. You ate both funny and informative and I’m from the UK! 🤣 If I were from the USA I would/ my family would have been bankrupt years ago because at this point I’ve had over 20 surgeries, most of them on my brain and spine. One of them apparently cost over $25k per surgery, I’ve had 12 of those. Also I loved the bit where you talked about wanting the surgery done awake! 😁 I had emergency surgery done awake on my shunt once, it was the strangest moment of my life! The NHS has saved my life so many times. Thank you for being a part of it. Happy to hear your knee is getting better!

Thank you for coming to work in the nhs, and I'm glad you got to experience it as a patient (not glad you injured your knee though). I had a mpfl recon and was half awake as they gave me a spinal block. Now that was really strange as I felt like I was drunk and had somehow ended up on a surgeons table accidentally! Was good to not feel sick afterward though which g.a can do. Everyone was so nice and kind to me which made it as nice a day as it could be. I felt sick when you starting adfing up the costs, there's enough to worry about without the fear of being bankrupted by it. Hope your knee continue to do well, it's quite a process recovering but hopefully won't have to worry about it again.

Thank you so much for your work in our wonderful NHS, Ibreez! I hope your injury has fully healed.

Thank you for your perspective. As a british person I don’t really think about getting into debt due to getting ill. We just take the nhs for granted and know that the help is always there for free. I love that all citizens can use it for free and that my taxes are going towards something that helps others as well.Hope you knee is much better and thank you for supporting the nhs and for working in the nhs.You are making such an important contribution 😊

Hope you feel better now. Well done to all NHS Doctors and Staff in these times. I have had fantastic care at all the Hospitals over the Years.

When you said your leg was to be kept straight I felt for you, when I had something similar I just wanted to bend my leg! Keep up with your Physio it frustrating but you'll appreciate it in the long term

Thank you for your interesting description of your treatment here. Thank you for working in the NHS. It’s been a tough 18 months and we owe people like you a great deal. PS hope the knee holds up.

Jee wiz...I had the same sort of stuff happen to me. I needed knee surgery after I simply 'fell down' at work. I didn't need an ambulance (but none of my colleagues would of thought anything of ringing one) I had the consultations and the scan and the key-hole surgery and the physiotherapy. Cost to me - Nothing. (Is that not how it should worK?)

God bless the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Thank God for our NHS.

To add, I have recently had 5 eye hospital appointments one of which included eye laser surgery in London, each time I only waited about 20 mins to be seen. I didn't have to a pay a single penny up front, money is just not mentioned unlike the USA. Also, one of the consultants called me back last night because I had a question about my prescription (which was also free) I would probably be charged for the phone call in he USA. .

In the UK, National Insurance (NI) is paid by both the employee and the employer. Most of the National Insurance contributions related to each employee (whether paid by the employee or employer) goes to fund the employee's State Retirement Pension. A relatively small proportion of NI contributions goes to pay general taxation. General taxation (income tax, fuel surcharges, energy taxation, Value Added Tax etc) is what pays for the NHS.

Thank you for coming to the UK

Yes I live in Canada and have had universal healthcare since the late 1950’s! I cannot understand anyone not wanting it for themselves and their loved ones! Countries with it actually pay less per capita then the USA! It is set up the way it is in the USA so that the the Insurance companies and Hospitals can make huge fortunes! Here in Alberta we have to fight constantly to keep it as the Provincial Conservative , keep trying to collapse it( probably being paid to do so by American Insurance companies) they keep allowing more private companies in to do services for cash or private insurance! I doubt America will ever have Universal Health Care ! We battle on !

What a sweet person, a credit to your profession

It perplexes me how U.S citizens don't immediately comprehend the benefits of a universal healthcare system. There's no real downsides to it. Besides the the obvious benefits, free healthcare is a net contributor to national economies in terms of having a fit and health workforce. The immense buying power of a nationalised system tends to both save a lot of money and dictates lower market prices (it is the market). You could say goodbye to the ridiculous drug prices in the U.S. Why would anyone be against being treated in the most efficacious way over the most profitable or least costly?.. The insurance & pharmaceutical companies have a lot to answer for by spending untold amounts to convince people that the system that is so profitable for them is also best for you. Healthcare thrives when healthcare, not money is the ultimate objective of the system.

My grandparents were born 1892 my parents 1922 so long before the NHS. As boys my older bro and I would be told the stories of friends and family that died of a cold, tetanus from standing or being cut by a rusty nail you name it someone they knew died of it. Imagine dying in childbirth because the only person available was the old drunk woman who had helped out a daughter in giving birth, but knew nothing about your problem child birth. I could go on, we heard things that seem like childish worries today but people actually died of back then. As a child I attended many illness parties a boy or girl down the road had the measles, Mumps, Chicken pox. We all went to play and got ill parents did that to safe guard their child from getting it later in life. I remember the 60s and the Polio epidemic, Hong Kong flu, etc but we were OK we had the NHS. Breaking my leg then later a toe then later again ending up with a slice of thick glass embedded in my leg. Waiting for the Doctor seems to take years when in pain. But I dare'nt complain having been given a slap around the head the first time and told, " Shut up son count yourself lucky you're going to be treated, and for free the wait is nothing compared to not seeing a doctor at all." I admit it wasn't till I had my own children that I realised what that meant. I told them the same thing yeah you might wait a long time but you will see a fully qualified nurse or doctor eventually. The NHS isn't perfect it probably never will be it can't please everyone, it does the majority though. If it cost me another pound a week I'd pay it happily. I sometimes wonder how many people my NI contribution has helped someone, some child who needs a heart or an older person needing a hip. I feel good about it, I don't begrudge them the money I paid in one bit. I'll say this. America is a very religious place forever sending prayers to unknown people. I'm not in the slightest bit religious. I'm no Communist and I was a boy the last time I voted for the Socialist Labour Party. It amazes me though how these devoutly religious people scream their heads off at " Socialised " medicine in which their fellow man is covered for every medical eventuality no need for "prayer warriors" just "free" healthcare instead.

Hello mate. Greetings from Australia. Good to see a medical professional explain things in layman terms. Hope you are feeling better. Take care and best wishes from Brisbane Queensland

UK: Better life expectancy, better mortality outcomes, pay less per head. USA: Better rooms.

My friend had a MCI (heart attack) whilst in New York, some years ago now, he was faced with a bill for £50,000 + inclusive of his room charge (think bed and breakfast here). He luckily had paid for a gold type insurance and only had to pay £50 excess. He was thankful for his life being saved of course, but what he couldn't believe were the very, very minor things that appeared on his bill for which he was charged.... he copied it and showed it to me...... it was mind blowing. BTW I have watched a few of your videos and they are extremely informative in their comparisons. May I thank wholeheartedly for supporting and working in our NHS, and clearly enjoying it. We appreciate your efforts.

I must confess to needing a hospital visit in the pandemic too. It's mortifying to be a burden, in such a high-stress time. But, they'd found blood in my routine (50+) bowel cancer test. Probably not cancer, I have an underlying chronic condition. But, I met a nurse there a friend from evening class and we chatted. The colonoscopy was done, and as pleasant as ever. Negative, thank goodness. The staff were all incredibly friendly, kind and compassionate. Sadly, due to my condition, I'll never consider a holiday to the US, the insurance would be prohibitive... :(

I live 95 miles outside of a USA hospital. CANADA has universal health services. NO BILLING, NO COST Full services, specialists, and a longer quality life span than the USA

I'm glad you were taken care of and in time recovered, I just think that a civilised country should help its people and not have the attitude I'm OK stuff every one else.

Why do you have to pay for your treatments in the USA if you pay for insurance? Surely the insurance pays for it? If it doesn’t then why pay insurance in the first place?

I'm a theatre nurse in the NHS when I needed shoulder surgery it was done by a doctor I see at work, it was done under a block as a day case. I did get to see the inside of my shoulder, that was 3 years ago and the shoulder is still really good.

National Insurance does not go towards the NHS, it is a base pension contribution that will qualify you for state pension and other benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance, the NHS is funded out of general taxation.

Who knows what may happen in the future? Much wrong with the UK, but one of the good parts is our health system and the assurance it gives - if I live a long illness-free life all well and good, perfectly willing to pay into the system knowing that, if I was to have health issues further down the line the NHS would be there for me, and if not, I don't begrudge having to pay into the system for those less lucky!

NHS = Nationa Hero Service I had a Kidney Transplant back in 2002 @ St Mary's Paddington awsome care.

Thanks for this, it was interesting. I hadn't realised just how expensive treatment in the US is. A lady I have a deep fondness for had to have a non-malignant tumour removed, she is unable to get insurance as her mother took a prescribed drug (Stebestrol?) in her pregnancy so the lady had to bear the whole cost. I have not been able to contact her for some time, I will ask a mutual friend to check she is okay.

I don’t know how I stumbled on your video. But first of all, I am really happy you are okay now. Second, I really applaud the way you told the story about what happened to you. But the thing that made me watch the whole story, is when you said: “My legs decided, do you know what? Why should we listen to the rest of the body anymore”. Besides the fact it was a hilarious way to explain what happened to you, it points out that we are not in control of what our body does sometimes. And that it should not be a reason for bankruptcy. Thank you for sharing your story.

The UK segment of Michael Moore's 2007 movie "Sicko" comes to mind. "Sicko" is an impressive movie, comparing the cruelties of the US profit-based, non-healthcare system with the high-functioning healthcare systems of the UK, France, Canada, and Cuba, all of which (surprise, surprise) are much better than in the US, even in a country as money-strained as Cuba. It turns out that, when a country actually focuses on the function of a service instead of on profit, substantive outcomes actually improve.

My deductible for a non contrast MRI in Florida was around $850 a few years ago. A semi serious surgery can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars in charges to the insurance company. There are different fees for in network and out of network procedures. There are also cases where a member of the surgical team is not actually part of the hospital so they can submit a separate bill. It can be a very confusing and you can get a bill for way more than you ever expected.

Just one thing, 111 is the non-emergency number, this is the number for free medical advice. 999 is the urgent number for life threatening emergencies where they send you the ambulance *NOW* Due to our former membership of the EU we also have another emergency number, 112, which basically patches you through to 999. *PROTIP:* You can actually dial 911 from a *_mobile phone_* in the UK and get through to 999, it *_won't_* work from a landline as there may be local numbers that begin with 911.

“Illness is neither an indulgence for which people have to pay, nor an offence for which they should be penalised, but a misfortune the cost of which should be shared by the community.” "Aneurin bevan"

Wow.. I loved the way she told the story.. 🥰

Well said and the nhs is the pride of the nation

I never understand Americans accept free schools but not free healthcare.

I think that you were referring to Subacute Area versus and Acute Area and Trauma Area of Emergency Departments,

thank you so much for working in our NHS

Wanting to get back to work, in these troublesome times to treat potential patients. Than thinking about your own injury. Much love to you. ❤️

Well said Ibreez, thank you for defending our NHS, it is not without issues (too many managers amongst them) but importantly, it is surely the sign & soul of a civilised society. May the Lord shine his light of love on you & all your loved ones always. Love from Scotland. 🙏🏻♥🏴💙

Hi Doctor First time viewer here. Ouch! Did my knee ligament years ago. Not fun. I read an article that the average national insurance in the UK is the equivalent of $300 a month compared to $800 a month for health insurance in the US. I presume any excess would be over and above the monthly figure. Hope you're good now?

AsSalama'laikum dear sister! I'm a hospitalist PA in Washington, D.C. Our U.S. system is so broken!🤕💸💔 I've been hesitant to go to the hospital when I've had health issues. I have "good" insurance. However, it seems to cover LESS every year! I have a wife and four children. Whenever, I have take them to the hospital ER, I get a BIG bill. If I don't pay it, almost IMMEDIATELY, it goes to collections and decreases my credit score! I've even considered moving to Canada or the U.K. Thanks for sharing this with us! Take care!😊❤☝🏾️👋🏾👨🏾‍⚕️🏨

I had a full body MRI and had a nice little nap. What else can you do.

i think this young lady has an brilliant English sence of humour nice one

Hope you recover 100% Ibreez!

I love the equality the NHS provides. Rich or poor, good health or poor health - you will receive the same treatment.

In addition to the hospital cost would a us person have got paid sick leave.

Hi ma'am..I really enjoy reading your articles..but for some reason I'm unable to see comments on your website on any articles nor I am able to post my comments plsss help.....

I had an open hernia repair one week ago and apparently, in the recovery area, I asked if it was on RU-vid. After a couple of hours there, I moved into the recovery ward and was collected by my son an hour after that. Total time in the hospital was about 6 hours. Thank Heaven for the NHS!

good video - all power to your soapbox

I had 2 surgeries during the peak of the pandemic, as an outsider No words to say, NHS is the BEST. Im so inspired working here in the UK because I know they will take care of me in times I need them...24/7. Thank You NHS🌈

I know what you mean about the MRI hum! I suffer from epilepsy. I've had numerous MRI scans for the head and brain and have repeatedly fallen asleep while having had them done. I agreed to to do some experimental work involving an MRI which meant I spent most of an afternoon in one of them while connected up to a EEG machine. So, I had my head in the MRI scanner with it making the clunking humming sound and still fell asleep. My wife who has had an MRI scan for an ankle injury once can't understand how!

for a knee op! wow, what would AML treatment cost in America? 4 month long stays, 2 trips to icu, treatment, travel to and from hospital plus follow up for 2 years weekly, to see a consultant, I might of forgotten a few bits, but that must be over 20,000?

my mum had my sister in 1963 she met a Yank who told her it was cheaper to come over here on holiday as close to expected birth ,and have the child in GB for free, as it cost a fortune to have it in USA. seems it's been going on from start of NHS , WE NOW MAKE THEM PAY but at a realistic price for the service ,

Fantastic. Though I no longer live in the UK, the NHS is way more valuable than many people think. I live in Portugal which also has a system similar to the NHS and also like the UK has a large private healthcare network. My employer supplies private health insurance so that’s what I normally use but I have no issues with contributing to the public system through social security because that’s part of my contribution to general well-being of society. And using the private system only makes the system better for those who need the public system because I’m not a drain on those resources. But America is very different and the attitudes there really disappoint, but let’s not get into a political discussion.

there plenty of buses and taxis and trains, aren´t there?

Thank you.

Awesome video

Let me tell you my recent experience of the NHS. I was out walking in the country and slipped and fell. I badly injured my leg and because I was in an inaccessible location, I was taken to hospital by an air Ambulance helicopter, which arrived in 15 minutes. I had surgery to repair the Quadriceps tendon in my leg and spent 5 days in hospital. When I was sent home in an ambulance, I had home visits by the community nursing team, I was supplied with equipment to make living by myself easier during my recovery and once the repair was properly healed, I had physiotherapy until I regained full use of my leg. During this period I was supplied with all the necessary pain and anti blood clotting medication I needed. How much did I have to pay ?, nothing. That's how the NHS looks after us.

Hope you will recover 100% .. Insha'Allah

Interesting story, with an engaging narration.

from the doctor patient side of thing there not really much to complain about it very efficient at that level. Gases that knock you out or reduce pain there are new studies that show the dissociation feeling could be coming from how it effects the microtubuals in the brain and it works on a quontum level, in a way you the consciousness sort of interacts with body and observes it so when you take the anesthesia you get this feeling of dissociation from the body which is really odd but that's the thing with quontum mechanics it's not a physical property it is beyond the physical but effects the physical. To what I have been reading about it

@34:07, that right there people is why we should march on Downing Street with burning torches if it was ever suggested that we move to an American model of healthcare.

National Insurance is for your pension everything comes out of general taxation

I’m thinking something like an ACL atm….

Very interesting and makes me proud of our NHS. Sadly, the NHS is ranked around 10th best Health Care Service in the World Ranking. However, after living abroad at so called higher ranked countries I realized this is untrue. I think it's better than many of the so called higher ranked services but because the (Administration staff I'm guessing) are not asking people the questions, take the information needed, tick the boxes let alone completing another form! Because of this, the ranking is way below it's TRUE level of high quality service it gives. Moreover, please explain the NHS is only free to UK citizens not anyone: 1. We citizens pay higher taxes to pay into the NHS to get treatment when needed. (This probably works out around the same level a person in the USA might pay for their private health insurance and family members). As you say, it works by all contributing a small amount in our taxes but less people using it over time. 2. If you are a tourist and have not worked and paid taxes in to the UK or paid a lump sum into the NHS to enable you to use it. Then YOU should use YOUR Travel Health Insurance to get the treatment either privately or on the NHS. You should tell the receptionist or first contact person that you are not entitled to free treatment and will use your private travel Insurance as a none UK citizen (an accent is meaningless in a metropolitan country). When abroad you should carry your Insurance details with you at all times. Your treatment would then be charged to your Travel Health Insurance. The NHS is not free to tourists should they fall over or have an accident...you should pay!! When I travel abroad I take out travel Insurance so if you come to the UK please do the same.

As an expat living in Florida I understand both sides of the healthcare system. I wish members of Congress would listen to your experience. Every time I see them debating universal healthcare in Congress, some ill informed politician gets up and lists all the negatives of the NHS. It’s so frustrating and misleading it drives me crazy.

I think National Insurance is just a job based tax, not really related to the NHS.... the NHS is funded from general taxation; from a wider basis of taxation. The comparison to make, of course, is how do total taxes compare between the UK and the USA.

Thank you and please take care of yourself, we need our medical staff more than ever right now. BTW, we all know that doctors are the worst patients. National Insurance was intended to cover all benefits but about 80% of NHS funding now comes from general taxation. Whilst accident and emergency treatment is free for visitors you can find a scale of fees. The "Overseas Patient Upfront Price List" is a massively complex spreadsheet and there is a rumour that medical staff refuse to do the paperwork to charge visitors. If you can understand this "Excel Workbook" you could pick out some examples. e.g. Plain Film (X-Ray) £37.57 ($52) ; Cat Scan £150.48 ($208).