The National Health Scheme in England is unique and is the envy of many countries around the world.  Anyone who falls ill and needs to see a doctor or attend Hospital will receive medical care at no cost whatsoever.  This is funded by national insurance stamps which together with tax are deducted from peoples’ wages. In all other European countries, such as France, Spain and Germany, people who fall ill will have to pay when they make a visit to see a doctor or need hospital treatment.  For this reason many people in Europe take out a disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung) which provides security should they become ill or disabled and cannot work.  The healthcare in the UK also differs from the healthcare in America, where people also have to pay for any medical care they receive.  In the United Kingdom people needing operations will have their names put on a waiting list, and it may take up to six months or more before their name is at the top of the list.  Because of the waiting time involved, some patients might become more ill and in the case of people needing heart surgery, they could have a heart attack and die.  Although medical care is free in England, many people prefer to take out British life insurance (Britische Lebensversicherung) so if the need arises, they can be treated at a private clinic rather than waiting.

Private clinics can admit patients needing operations within a week or so after seeing the consultant.  They will have their own private room with television and telephone.  Family are allowed to visit anytime and after the operation they will not be discharged until they have fully recovered.  Many of the surgeons who work for the NHS also work for the private clinics, so patients will often get the same surgeon doing the operation as they would have done by going into a national health hospital.  Although people can be on the waiting list for quite some time, often in severe pain, once they have been admitted to hospital they receive the very best care possible.  Technology and the very best in up-to-date equipment are second to none and many private clinics will not have the same facilities.  Because of the number of people waiting for operations, patients who have had surgery are often discharged too quickly before they have had chance to fully recover.  Private clinics have helped towards easing the workload on national health hospitals but private insurance can be very expensive and not everyone can afford it.

In other countries the same applies, not everybody can afford to take out a disability insurance, and should they become ill are unable to get the medical care they need because of the costs involved.  The National Health Scheme has come under a lot of pressure recently because of cut backs in nursing staff and cleaners.  It seems that more money is being spent on administration rather than employ enough nurses and doctors. However, the National Health Scheme provides medical care for everyone and no-one will have to pay.  How lucky we are compared to the other countries in Europe where very often people die because they cannot afford the medical care they urgently need.