American Family’s Experience with the NHS 🇬🇧 | Life as Expats in the UK
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- Опубліковано 29 січ 2025
- Hi there! We're the Haas family, Americans living the dream in the beautiful English countryside at Haas Fam Farm. 🌿🇬🇧 Join our family vlog as we share our unique experiences and insights into life in the UK, especially as expats navigating the NHS. From healthcare tips to adjusting to British life, we hope our journey can inspire and help future expats on their own adventures. Ready to learn more about life in England? Let’s dive into our thoughts on the NHS and how it compares to healthcare in the US!
#HaasFamFarm #AmericanInEngland #FamilyVlog #LivingInTheUK #ExpatLife #NHS #UKHealthcare #BritishLife #ExpatsInUK #CountrysideLiving #USAToUK #LifeInEngland #FarmLife #UKvsUS #MovingAbroad #HealthcareComparison #nhs #americanreacts #ukvsusa
I work frontline for the NHS & are we perfect? Far from it, we are under funded & staffed, but we would be lost without it! I am very proud to work for the NHS!
Oh my goodness! What a blessing! Where are you in the UK? Do you like the NHS as it’s currently managed? Many have said it needs to be better managed. ❤️
Thank you for your service
@@haasfamfarmit's over managed by the wrong people.
Thanks for everything you do.
The NHS is underfunded and has been fiddled about with by a lot of politicians. I hope the current lot have more sense.
However; I would not be here without the NHS. From porters to consultants, the people kicked in and got me thriugh cancer.
I have to pay. I go to a nearby hospital about every three months for checks. That costs me £7.60 on the train (return)..
All the rest of that was already paid by taxes and NI. Bit of a bargain there; and the NHS staff are magic.
The UK has a health care service,the US has a health care industry. A small but important distinction.
Well said. Where are you in the UK?
@@haasfamfarm Nottingham
@admiralpicard2010 Yeah, and the industry is very greedy!
And that INDUSTRY is VERY VERY GREEDYVindeed!! Well said!!!
This also plays into the quality of food between our two nations, because the taxpayer picks up the tab for the NHS our food additives are policed very carefully as if they keep the food healthy we will need less NHS interaction, whereas in the US they have some very scary additives in their processed food and this feeds into their healthcare industry.
For me one of the best things about the NHS system is that it gives me peace of mind. In 62 years I have never given it a thought that I may not be able to afford health care, no matter what is needed. How much is that worth to me - it's priceless.
Hear hear...I'm 65 and feel the same.
Also they have your records you give them your name and date of birth and they can access all your medical history
My mum has survived infant pneumonia, an ileostomy at 17 cancer of the bladder and womb and kidney disease. She is 85 in December and is now on regular dialysis. The NHS has saved her on numerous occasions. Nuff said ❤
@@furrypurry that’s incredible
@@haasfamfarm nice video but when comparing prices can you say if it's USA or UK your talking about please .
Could you also talk a tad slower and quieter , otherwise very good
Do you have a NHS app ?? These have all your medical history and can be used anywhere .
@@lawrenceglaister4364 You can set the UA-cam video playback speed to eg 0.75 x or suchlike. Voices sound different, but listenable, & you can turn on subtitles also
And Tories are determined to destroy our NHS and force the Americans racket on us ! !
@@lawrenceglaister4364Yes, that was at times a bit confusing as to when they were talking about the USA or Britain..
Why does the US regard the NHS as socialism, but not their Police or Fire service?
Or the US military- by far the largest taxpayer funded ,government organised, project in the World.
Big Pharma says it is therefore it must be so.
Always makes me laugh when Americans turn their nose up at socialism. I think the stat was that over a third of all US GoFundMe pages are Americans begging other people to fund their medical expenses. How pathetic and ironic is that??
Yes and via Medicare and Medicaid etc they even already have some public coverage.
because the people who own their press control the narrative
Two years ago, I got sepsis in my left foot. An NHS consultant told me that there was a 5-10% chance he could reconstruct my foot enough for it to be functional. Despite the odds being against it, he was willing to try, as tge alternative was to lose half my leg. The NHS saved my life and then saved my foot. I continue to receive the best care in the world, free.
What an incredible story! Where are you in the UK?
Free at the point of use.
@@ashleighhogan941, yes, we all know it's a 'free at the point of use' system but @helenwood8482 would have had to decide on her foot or her financial health in America. As it was, her payments throughout her life have funded any and all care and there are no other costs to pay. I really get pissed off when people continue to the same old theme of how we pay for the NHS (and all other government services). We're not stupid, we know we pay for it in our taxes (or in the payments as in the video for people on visas). But isn't that better than having to potentially sell your home to fund a desperately needed operation?
My husband has a pacemaker, how much did that cost us? Nothing except for the taxes we've paid throughout our lives. How much was it worth to us to save his life? Priceless. I am lucky enough to have always worked and I've always been happy to be able to pay my taxes to contribute to a society that takes care of all its population.
@@ashleighhogan941Yes of course, but far better than the whole population being stressed about someone in their family becoming ill and the family going into unpayable debt or bankrupt
@shooster5884 My point shooster, is people think our NHS is free. It's not, it's free at the point of use. We pay for it through NI contributing to which I've paid 47 years. OK?
Ambulance call outs are prioritised, so if a person is bleeding to death, having a heart attack, got severe burns, severe head injury, etc. then they come before someone who is in pain but not in danger of dying.
A triage system.
I had a stroke and the first response Paramedic got to me in 7 minutes followed by a 3 crew Ambulance 3 minutes later, they had me packaged and on the way in under 10 minutes, I was scanned and had thrombolytics 17 minutes after getting to hospital, despite losing the left hand side of my body thanks to the quick response and initial treatment I was able to walk out of the hospital 24 hours later.
person in pain but no danger of dying NO ambulance Wouldn't send me one for very high blood pressure and head ache because no other stroke symptoms despite ambulance triage telling me i needed to go to A&E All so I used to work 111 and dispatch 999 calls if needed.
A bit over a year ago I had some problems and called for an ambulance, I started as low priority and was going to be “probably 3-4 hours” until they heard I’d blacked out. Saturday night and the ambulance was there in under 10 minutes. I’d shifted to high priority.
There absolutely have been horror stories about the ambulance service and A&E being horribly overstretched, ambulances unable to offload patients into A&E because there's no space and so on. But that’s rare and hopefully we’ll see things starting to improve.
@@sjbict Not true in most cases. I have had an ambulence for unknown pain (turned out to be kidney stone) came really quickly.
God bless the NHS!
No...bless the Labour Party.
In the States, the word "Socialism" is used as as propaganda to denigrate so - called social health care. The only reason the the people of America will NEVER get the benifits that the people of the UK and some other European countries enjoy - one word -. "GREED". The pharmaceutical industry has so much clout, the goverment dare no interfere. The NHS is by no means perfect but the idea that someone dare not call out an ambulance in the US because of the cost is obscene!!!!!
One more point. In the UK, you do have a choice, you can pay to have Private care through insursnce BUT it's one hell of a lot cheaper than the amounts you were quoting in the US.
In the UK , if you are diabetic, and require insulin, then this is a free prescription
@pedromancenithe3rd yeah, I am from the UK. The NHS is one of the "social programs" which we have. Socialism is: communism, but here in the UK, we are a capitalist country, the same as the US.
@stevenclarke5606 I am from the UK and have a repeat prescription because of a medical issue I have had from a child. I have a medical exemption card, and I have never paid for a prescription in my life.
@pedromancenithe3rd In the USA there seems to be a problem with conflating communism and socialism.
"GREED"
Or - to put it another way - "In Mammon We Trust"!
Please don’t forget, we do pay for our NHS .
It is funded by ‘National Insurance’ this ai between 8 to 10 % of your income.
It is the BEST TAX you will ever pay. It’s so worth the money if you are not employed ( sick, retired, unemployed etc.) then it is free. The UK people look after those who are less fortunate as a matter of course.
Frankly it’s just good manners.
The UK is so proud of the NHS it is AMAZING!
It is also funded by general taxation. Just Google 'Funding of NHS".
Pensioners don't pay NI, but we still receive NHS care in our retirement. Even if we work, we are no longer required to pay NI once we reach pensionable age.
@@AndrewBarton-v6h After everything contributed in life, so it should be.
@god1971b Exactly my point. Health care needs to be there when we need it most. A society should be judged on how well its people are treated, and not how much cash is in the pockets of its wealthiest.
No, NI is just a tax - for about two years it funded pensions, but that link has gone (but the benefit link has not). We pay numerous taxes, as they do in the US.
Prescriptions are free for the under 18s and over 60s. People with life long conditions like diabetes it’s also free. If you require home care or palliative care at home, beds, seating, hoisting and toilet aids are also free and delivered and set up on your home.
Prescriptions are free in Wales and Scotland
Also free if you're pregnant and for a year post birth.
Free home care is only given for 4 to 6 weeks after leaving the hospital. After that you have to contact a private agency which are really expensive if you are not on benefits.
@@teresa19543 I’m talking about equipment: beds, hoists, riser recliner chairs, toilet, bathing and domestic aids are all supplied. Medical cover from district nurse. Home care is self funded, expensive and very limited in the rural areas I worked in.
@@martinalloway6980 that’s what I said lol
Americans are given the impression from birth that the USA has the best education , health care , living standards , freedoms etc in the world. However the reality is that it ranks way down in the world rankings for all of these as well as other parameters such as maternal mortality and life expectancy . And looking at factors such as healthcare costs , homelessness , drug use , poor quality food etc things are VERY unlikely to improve .
They call it The land of the free, but nothing is free, you will pay for absolutely everything!
Lived in the US for 31years and you are correct in what you wrote.
Yep brainwashed into thinking it’s the best country in the world. Propaganda everywhere there to make you believe all those things. Socialism they think is like communism they don’t understand like universal healthcare they think they will pay more than they do than their health insurance. They don’t realise their food is bad full of chemicals to make you sick so you have to pay for healthcare. It’s all about money. Freedom haha they don’t compared to most countries. No workers rights they call benefits. Should be rights. Maternity pay sick leave holiday pay/leave etc they don’t have that just work until you drop
@@iaing9028 the US is listed as a defficient democracy at 36 in the list of most democratic countries so they aren't so Free either
The great American dream? Lol
What a joke, it’s a nightmare
Five years ago during a long flight from Asia to London, I developed sepsis. On arrival at Heathrow, a London Ambulance person came onto the plane and diagnosed sepsis. I was immediately taken into an ambulance - the first and only time in my life that I've been in an ambulance - which rushed me to Hillingdon Hospital. I was out of it, moving between unconsciousness and brief moments of responsiveness and wakefulness. A couple of hours of oxygen and antibiotics later and I was back in the land of the living and spent the next few weeks as a guest of NHS Hillingdon. I cannot speak highly enough of the dedication and care they gave. Astonishingly good and effective. Not to mention life-saving. Yes, there were some small issues, but in the grand scheme of things they were minor and generally irrelevant. Even the food was good - infinitely better than my last experience in hospital thirty years previously. The cost? Zero. I remain utterly in the (non-financial) debt of the NHS and forever grateful for its service.
I looked after my mother in her house for a year of her life.
She had twice weekly home visits from a community nurse. Frequent visits from physio therapist her doctor and a nurse practitioner, who actually turn up a couple of time unannounced just to check how she was.
We were given a hospital style bed a wheelchair and other aids to make her life easier
All her medication was delivered.
We had to call an ambulance about 5 times all arrived within 10 minutes.
We are so grateful that my mother was able to spend her final year in the home she loved without having to worry about the cost
I had an abscess on my colon that burst outwards and I ended up with peritonitis: 2 separate open abdominal surgeries - 4 days in intensive care, a week in the high dependency unit, and 5 weeks on a ward. Plus, daily visits from the district nurses for around 3 months when I first got back home. They saved my life - and it didn't cost a penny!
Oh my goodness! What a blessing! Where are you in the UK? Do you like the NHS as it’s currently managed? Many have said it needs to be better managed. ❤️
@@haasfamfarm, I'm in the East Midlands in a small market town.
I think the service here is not as good as it used to be, as regards getting a GP appointment - I haven't had any problems or complaints, but I know some people have.
Interesting video - thank you. It's always good to have the perspective of people from the US on using the NHS, which we can take for granted. I'm from the UK and have a friend who lives in Minnesota in the US. She pays $880 per month for healthcare, I pay £135 National Insurance (which also covers pension) per month from my salary. Coincidentally, a few years ago, we both needed gall bladder removals a couple of days apart. Our experiences couldn't have been more different. She had a (totally unnecessary) 3-day stay. I was in and out within a day. I had nothing to pay. Hers came to $35,000. Her insurance covered most of it, but she still had a $5,000 co-payment (like excess on car or house insurance) to pay before she left the hospital. So, instead of recovering, she was organising a loan from her hospital bed. It was appalling. All I had to do was focus on getting better. We are so lucky to have the NHS and need to do all we can to protect it.
NI isn't linked to healthcare; all your taxes are - but it is about 20% of all taxes that go towards NHS.
The NHS is amazing I just had a knee replacement op the doctors nurses catering staff were all amazing the ward was spotless I was so well looked after we need to keep our NHS . It cost nothing
Congratulations! Where are you in the UK?
@@haasfamfarm Edinburgh 😁
@@haasfamfarmI had 6 operations after an accident at work where my feet were crushed in a , heavy, revolving door, I received those ops , after the first (where they checked my tolerance to anesthetics and recovery process via a (free) stay in hospital of 2 days . After that I was simply a day patient & my treatment was fabulous, I live in Northumberland, England !
I have nothing but love and so much appreciation for the Nhs ❤ they have saved my life, after a cardiac event 6yrs ago an ambulance came in less than ten minutes and have always had great care in the hospital, it's so great to see you have appreciation for our Nhs ❤thanks for sharing your experiences Xx
I recently had surgery for a fractured pelvis.
Many ambulances, x rays, scans, food, medication and of course surgery.
My bill £0
❤ for the NHS
❤️❤️❤️
God bless the NHS
We all moan about it, but when you think about it what they do and how many people they treat each year, it's quite amazing.
Our nhs has its problems, no doubt about that, but thank god for it
@@CarolP-uk It saved my wife's live twice in two years, totally separate issues and I was in hospital for 2 weeks last year. My stay was life-threatening as well, fortunately with their care we've both come out on the other side. No it isn't perfect, but one thing it doesn't need is politicians either complaining about it or meddling in it.
I once watched a really fascinating conversation between an American doctor and a British one discussing the relative costs of providing healthcare in each country. They worked out that an appendicectomy in the UK costs the NHS about £4,000 to provide. The US doctor said it costs about $40,000+. They didn't know for sure why there was such a difference but the conclusion was that in the UK the operation is performed in a state run hospital which presents to the bill to the NHS accountants and as no profit is involved the bill is for what it actually cost. Besides there being no aspect of profit, bear in mind the hospital is owned and staffed by the NHS and the equipment and drugs are bought by the NHS who have a monopoly so can drive a better bargain with the suppliers.
In the USA it's run as a business. A hospital needs to make money, the insurance companies need to make money and the providers of equipment and drugs charge a lot. Hence the whole system is hugely expensive. The universal healthcare of countries like the UK is actually cheaper to run and costs these nations LESS money than the USA spends on its system. But I suspect the US system would be hard to replace because when people are making money they don't want to let go and would fight any change.
I didn't mention this in the video, but my father is a doctor in the USA. He is just as confused as anyone else on where the money goes / why it is so expensive. From his standpoint, he has paperwork (often manufactured by the insurance companies) and costs of doing business such as litigation insurance that distract him from doing his job and have him doing...administration. Very inefficient. We might need to do a second or 3rd video on this subject. Thanks for your comment. -Jordan
Well done on all the videos and the 1,000 subscribers! We just made the leap from the U.S. to Scotland this year so love hearing similar experiences. Wishing you well! ❤
Subscribed. Would like to meet ya'll sometime! -Jordan
@@haasfamfarm Definitely! If you make it up to the Edinburgh area, let us know.
I'm a British citizen. I Had a problem with my left eye, the optician told me to seek urgent medical help. I left work at 3pm. I went to the RVI specialist eye hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne, I waited 20 minutes. They examined my left eye, scans photo's and a specialist consultant got involved. I was told I needed emergency surgery to save my sight. I was in an operating theatre by 7pm. The incredibly skilled team of medical staff and a specialist eye surgeon saved my sight. Let me repeat the enormity of that, they saved my sight. It cost me £19.50, that's about $25 for the medication because I work full time. Let me repeat that, $25 to save my sight. The American defence budget is $842 billion dollars. If I was American I would now be bankrupt. We are a small island off the coast of France. Take a good look at yourselves citizens of the US. Political activism can be a good thing, but ask yourselves what you fight for compared with what you should be fighting for. P.S. I am also a proud worker for the NHS.
I, a Brit, have learnt a lot from watching these comparison topics regarding NHS and US care. It absolutely shocks me the cost of US care. It would scare the hell out of me the thought of receiving a bill post treatment. I love the NHS. Some call it socialist, call it what you want as I don't get a bill. Any spinal injury should be 999. I can get to see a GP on any morning.
Great video, thanks for sharing. The peace of mind regarding our children's health makes the NHS absolutely priceless and worth every penny. I wish the everyone could have the same expertise at the end of a phone call. Well done for having a go at polo. Thats some warrior stuff.
Thank you!!
Fun fact. 911 in the uk will ALSO put you through to the uk emergency services. Most the worlds 3 number emergency numbers will work in the uk and will redirect through to 999 this is for tourists safety
That only applies to mobile phones which are programmed to know what country you are in and use the appropriate emergency number. On landlines only 999 or 112 will make emergency connection.
Further to this 112 is a European wide emergency number but has a major difference to 999 it can GPS locate you for the call taker. 999 running on an older system doesn't have this integrated yet but 112 being newer does so if you're lost use this or alternatively use what3words as all UK emergency services utilise this.
It's really good to hear Americans talking about their experience of the NHS. We're worried we'll lose it given the corporate greed you mention (!)... Doctors in the NHS talk about how not having to factor money or profit into their decision-making means they can really put the patient first. Hope your knee surgery doesn't take too long. Great video!
NHS GPs are private sector consultants. It isn't public versus private that is in any way important - it is that it is free at the point of use.
@@CBX-vp7db No it's more complicated than that. They're bound by the GMS contract so while they are technically independent businesses contracted out to by the NHS, they cannot really function entirely independent and are regulated in what they can/ can't do and can charge. They also take on a duty to provide for a population under as far as I understand it. And while salaries are determined ultimately by the market, the DDRB still makes recommendations on GP salaries and is influential. And where a majority of GPs have trained in a publicly funded system (like virtually every doctor in the UK) some of that will carry over into their practice. There are some privately run consortia that are buying up practices, employing large numbers of cheaper nurse practitioners and employing fewer GPs and creaming off the profit- started under the Tories. Private vs public does matter. Not sure what you mean re GPs being 'consultants'?
@@jnielson1121 Thank you for your reply. It really isn't - you can dance around any role that works for the state and claim it to "more complicated" - your arguments are equally valid to GPs as they are Private Prisons (they are bound by a single contract, they have only one buyer etc). I'm an IFA who deals with doctors; I am married to a doctor so have just a little experience here.
What you should consider is that GPs own equity in their practice. So they are business owners; they are unequivocally private sector. They contract, or in legal terms "consult" their services to a single buyer - the NHS, which pays based on a contract you articulate. There is nothing wrong with this. It is entirely rational that a system so large would be mixed model - use what works and ditch what doesn't.
To be fair to the new Labour government: they get it. Some things the private sector does well (appointment and routine based activity). Other stuff: the difficult, complex and non profitable stuff is best left to the state sector. Hence reforms outlined are going to see greater private involvement.
What saddens me is that many don't see that this is actually a great success story that is overshadowed by a fake enemy some put forward in the shape of private sector involvement. I as someone on the centre right would never vote for US style healthcare. But once we accept the involvement of the Private Sector, which to some degree practically everyone has (including Jeremy Corbyn) it is all a matter of degree.
Then the only distinction is: is it free at the point of use? If it is, really, who cares?...
@@CBX-vp7db your point that it "isn't public vs private" that's the issue is the part I'm taking issue with. Contractual limits, state-imposed standards (NICE) and training in a socialised system are some of the things that prevent the private model in GP care provision from becoming a US-style exploitation of the fear of disease for profit. I don't know what all of the factors are that prevent or de-incentivise GPs from getting more money by "selling" more "profitable" treatments to patients that they don't really need are- but those factors are there and they are important. We should all care about those when anything private is involved. Markets don't create good products- they create sellable product (whether good or bad and whether the buyer is aware or not) and in the most efficient markets, they create addiction (viz UPF, social media, tobacco, sugar etc).
US life expectancy, infant mortality rates and cancer survival is below the NHS. It's not perfect but it will always be there for you. Bang for buck, what we pay and what we get is exceptional. Love the NHS.
Yeah, My Nan had cancer during Covid, and the NHS was great with her, always there when she needed something. She has thankful beat Cancer and is doing great.
A measure of a civilised society is how it looks after its people irrespective of status, wealth, ..... etc. Despite all its short comings the National Health SERVICE is prime example of how society can look after folks when they need it. Its a service where the focus is geared towards the patient and not profit, unlike private health industry.
NHS is amazing. Had multiple surgeries that did not cost a penny. You can go private to speed up the process but you will need to make sure you have the right insurance plan.
Because I am a woman of a certain age, I should also point out that the NHS provides regular screening for various things which also helps to keep the UK's citizens healthy.
Sure do and since I was 60 all prescriptions are free!
Not prostate cancer - a major killer for men.
@@ChrisMartin-b7l I think thats because they dont have a very good test for it - lots of false positives... but if you have symptoms the dr can send you for MRI's etc...
Overall, yes, of course the NHS is a better service when you compare it to the private US system. However, there's a lot of Union Flag waving going on here from yourself and everyone else here who have had a positive experience with the NHS. That's good to hear. But the overall picture of the NHS is one of disaster and most sane people know that - even the doctors. In the South West it's awful. You CAN'T see a doctor anymore unless you lie and say some thing like "I've got lumps growing out of my chest." That's how criminally awful not is. They will NOT see you; the GPs instead will arrange a telephone call - maybe two weeks later and try to diagnose you over the phone. Do you not see how ridiculous this is? This American family is in a 'good' area and it's all roses for them (play trumpets); but the national picture is dismal. Do not be fooled by being fortunate enough to live near a trust that still functions properly. Not a objective picture of our cherished but crumbling health service.
@@paradisekohchangstyle2150 I live in the South West and although its not perfect, its not 'awful'.
It's quite ironic when you think about it, the Boston tea party, which was a tax issue was the catalyst for war with Britain and the genesis of American independence. Now Americans are paying thousands of dollars more for healthcare than a taxed healthcare system would cost them. It's big business. As the great American writer Gore Vidal once wrote:
Advertising, is the only art form we invented and developed.
I always say private health insurance is like Pet Insurance!! And despite paying monthly not everything is covered plus u have deductables like car insurance. All in all its a business!! So they want to make money...the nhs may not b perfect but it is soooo preferable to the alternative imo ❤
I think the NHS great if your having a heart attack your sorted straight away if you have a non urgent problem it does take time but it is "FREE" glad you like it here have a Happy Christmas too!
Enjoyed your perspective look forward to your next topic , TC
The American police don't charge for a call out! That's communism 😂
The idiocy of Americans who think they know about Socialism as opposed to communism never ceases to amaze me.
"Social" - the clue is in the name.
@@alangaughranOne of my biggest pet peeves
The nazis were socialists. Tell me who were the worst, the communist or the socialists.
@@forsakingfear3652 There was nothing socialist about the nazis other than the German translation of their name. In exactly the same way that there is nothing democratic about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) is democratic. That is a pathetic statement.
@@forsakingfear3652 No they most definitely weren't . They were fascist nationalists who believed in their racial superiority, and exterminated anyone who was either of the wrong race, or disabled, or seen as an enemy. The NHS is a product of post-war British Socialist politics. It's about helping the sick and poor regardless of race or creed or whether they can afford it. Not about kiliing them.
I live in a small town right on the edge of an ambulance area, where an ambulance is based. Even for non-emergencies, I've had the ambulance turn up in under two minutes, because the crew has been idle between calls.
As for prescription costs - these are zero for children under 18 years and the elderly over 60 years. They're also free for people with certain life-altering conditions such as diabetes.
Paying National Insurance means that you also get a pension
and un-employment benefit
@@theotherside8258 But only for six months, at a time, then its means tested.
Another thing Americans don't get.
@@johnclements6614 The UK state pension is NOT means tested, EVER. It is, however, a taxable income if your total income is above the tax threshhold. I think you may be referring to pension credit, an additional sum, which is means tested.
@@henrybest4057 I was referring to a comment about unemployment benefit. Read the comment that I replied too.
I thought I was having a heart attack last week. Ambulance came in ten minutes, took me to hospital where they did ecg, x ray, blood tests, saw the doctor all within about four hours. Thankfully it was not my heart but a gallbladder issue that was causing pain in my chest. Im due for surgery for that in two weeks. I’ve paid in for 45 years so nothing to pay.
Over 60 prescription is free also if you have a long term condition such as Diabetes you fill in a form that is signed by your GP and your will receive an exempt prescription charge card similar to the pre-pay card.
American health Care is Absolutely Criminal my husband is American,I’m British we’ve lived in both countries but the US less than 5 years because I couldn’t stand it , thankfully my husband was agreeable to moving here been back 27 years , since we’ve found out 4 family members have a genetic cancer problem ,lots of MRI scans and so far 3 cancers for 3 members thankfully the NHS have saved there lives!
I suspect that you and your family are damn lucky to be able to access NHS.
In the USA your family would be having big insurance (or lack of insurance) problems, financially crippling medical treatment..... and would you still have a place to live?
You would have to sell the house for treatment because insurance companies wouldn't want to know you if your family is predisposed to requiring serious medical treatment....
Although these systems like NHS are in many countries from around the world.... USA has rejected it.
Must be lobbyists for the medical and insurance companies?
@@colonelfustercluck486 absolutely we would be living in a cardboard box a long time ago, my grand daughter had adrenal carcinoma and had to have surgery at 8 moths old , her Mum my oldest daughter had a brain tumour removed December 2023 and my youngest daughter 20 years old, just last week had a tumour and part of her liver removed so yes I feel grateful to be British and that we moved home,it feels like a Crime how It’s a Right to have a gun in America but Not to be able to have affordable healthcare, I think your priorities are Mixed Up !
@@Nikki-yn7yv regarding my priorities, far from it. I feel that the NHS system is great for the reasons outlined. Taking financial pressure away is a huge advantage, along with getting great priority treatment where the matter is serious and urgent. Overall it's an awesome system.
The multiple steps to get to an operation actually reduces cost. Those conditions that don't need an operation and the cost of a consultant surgeon can be treated lower down the scale, with medication or physical therapy. Each step removes the lessor problems. The wait for surgery is based on need. You are obviously still mobile and not in crippling pain so you can wait with pain treatment whilst those who are more in need go first.
It's a very efficient and cost effective way to deliver the service needed.
The other point about tests, x-rays, CT scans etc; in the US they will test for and charge you for everything for fear of being sued if they miss something. Also because going to the Dr is not as common you may have underlying conditions that no-one knows about, where in the UK with free access, all your conditions are known about and on file.
2 years ago I had a heart attack. Am ambulance came within 20 minutes. I got to hospital within another 10 minutes and had a stent fitted within another 30 minutes or so. Literally saved my life. No charge. God bless the NHS.
also bare in mind that year wait is when NHS waiting lists are teh longest they have ever been , they were the shortest they had ever been in 2010 (after 13 years of labour)
@@ricclark8162 how long was the shortest wait?
@@haasfamfarm thats harder question than it seems , but i will have a look , basically because they are averages out over every hospital and every type of op its less useful to know the exact average but the financial times was sharing the average waiting list graph , highest ever in 1997 (after 18 years of conservatives) lowest ever in 2010 after 13 years of about and even higher now than 1997 , i'll find you the graph
That's because right-wing Tory government starves it of funds.
New to your channel, but i found this video very interesting from your perspective. I too live in the Midlands and have done all my life. I will keep a watch out for anymore videos you post. Kind regards, John.
Thanks for sharing! We really love the midlands, especially given we had never been here before. Trying to decide what to film next. Please subscribe!
I spent 3.5 months in hospital after an accident, when I was released I visited the US for a relatives wedding, during a conversation I was asked how much the hospital cost me, I told them it cost me nothing and in fact I got paid, you see I had a private healthcare package from my employers, if I choose NHS treatment instead of private a received £120 per day from my private healthcare provider, they were gobsmacked! first that our healthcare is free at the point of contact and second that I made money from being in hospital, and third that my employers paid my salary while I was in hospital.
We forget getting random letters for breast screening, bowel cancer tests etc that help us as we get older. This has been beneficial in so many ways.
Before the pandemic, we could expect NHS ambulances in under half an hour. Things have changed a lot.
If your knee is really troublesome you can skip the queue and opt to 'go private'...you'll find the cost will be considerably less than in the US, and of course if you have private medical insurance it will be cheaper still.....
It would probably come under the umbrella of 'preexisting conditions', something well known in the USA. That would mean waiting until you had paid into an insurance scheme for some time. Paying to see an orthopaedic surgeon privately can bump you up the NHS list as most of them are employed by both. My surgeon told me to keep ringing his secretary to get moved up faster, but that was a long time ago. Since then, I've had several major surgeries, cancer, sepsis and a heart attack. I'm here purely because of the NHS and I am extremely grateful for their wonderful care.
But you shouldn’t be able to jump queues if you come with a pre-existing condition which you could fixed before you moved here. When we went to the USA to live pre-existing conditions weren’t covered by our health insurance . So you can’t really expect for them to be here .
I've no cartilage in my left knee from a motorbike accident doctors told me to keep mobile and walk as much as you can😮 best prescription I've ever had😊
If you want to avoid the wait for most surgeries and can afford a private consultation, that is awesome. It cost me about £200 to get that extra service. I think most Americans would be surprised and delighted. Also, the appointment allowed is more like an hour going privately. It’s a gamble whether they support you getting the surgery on the NHS (more serious matters) or you may have to go private for that, but even then it’s much cheaper than your excess of $5,000 for most surgical procedures that can be done without long stays in hospital.
Interesting! Where are you in the UK?
In Scotland Andy Wales prescriptions are free always . Glasses, Dental free till 18 . So grateful my husband has had heart attack , cancer and hepititus . My grandaughters have autism and mobility issues . So very thankful haven’t paid a penny but still got such good care . There are people who complain about nhs but I don’t think they realise how blessed we are to have it .
Ambulance response times do depend on the situation, if it's life critical, eg Heart Attack the fast response car will turn up within 10mins, then the proper ambulance will follow with in about 5 to 10mins after that. It makes sense not to rush an ambulance out for a low priority medical issue, hence why you get asked a ton of questions during the telephone screening.
Regarding GP appointments you can get on the day appointments if you call at around 8am, scheduled appointments have about a 3 week lead time. The longest I've waited in the waiting room is ½ hour past my scheduled appointment.
The NHS is far from perfect, yet at least we don't have to worry and bankruptcy just for a medical issue.
Great observations guys. 👍🏻
Some years ago thought I was having heart attack, called 999 and paramedic in car arrived within minutes, followed by ambulance double crewed. Gave me ECG test on my doorstep! Took me to hospital, fortunately only needed an overnight check.
NHS saved my life in April cancer surgery 9 days In ICU.Saved my life follow ups every 8-1wks.All free!!!
Oh my goodness! What a blessing! Where are you in the UK? Do you like the NHS as it’s currently managed? Many have said it needs to be better managed. ❤️
4% of workers salaries goes to funding the NHS which is something people will hardly notice at the time but are then very grateful if they need intense prolonged stays in hospital.
Yes, there can be long waiting lists for minor surgeries but there is the option of private healthcare too, at a price.
How did you get that figure?
@@mojojojo11811 Looked at numerous websites and 4% was the most common figure.
We pay about 11% NI and employer pays about 12% for each worker.
@@colincampbell4261 What does that have to do with the topic?
It’s 11% on most of your gross salary.
It should also be pointed out that private health care does exist in the uk, and private health insurance does too. Private Drs will work in conjunction with NHS Drs . It’s generally a lot cheaper still for private with almost no waiting. Eg a C-section in UK if you don’t have insurance so paying full cost will be about $11-12000USD. That would be inclusive of everything including anaesthetic and bed and breakfast for partner for one night as well
First welcome to the UK, I hope you enjoy your time here. My partner is an ex-pat born and raised in Charleston, now, after 20 yrs speaks like an Oxford Don. We met in Philadelphia when l worked there for a year. One or two things prescription, drugs are free to anyone over 60, children up to 16 or students at university. People who are on benefits, unemployed or pregnant also get them free. My mother in law moved over here although she was born in the British Virgin islands she also had to pay a fee but only once. She stayed until her death two years ago aged 93.
20+ years ago our daughter, then in her mid 20’s was diagnosed with large 10:15 fibroids which would need surgery. The consultant told us that the surgery would have to be delayed for a couple of weeks because he would be out of the country speaking at a medical conference. We asked if going as a private patient would mean it could be performed sooner. He replied that it would make no difference. As it was classed as major surgery it could not be performed in a private hospital as they would not have the facilities. It would have to be done in a NHS hospital operating theatre with an Intensive Care Unit available, so going private would mean the same hospital, doctors, nurses and operating theatre, the only difference would be that we would be paying for the privilege. Margaret Thatcher, when she was Prime Minister, once said that of course she had private health insurance, but if there was ever anything seriously wrong she would use the NHS. We should be forever grateful and proud of what is a wonderful institution.
This is so interesting and fair minded. Paying direct does get quicker results but at least the NHS gives everyone the opportunity.
Really glad you enjoyed it. Planning to do a part 2. Anything you’d like us to address? ❤️
@@haasfamfarm the different accents we have in the UK.?
In Britain you can also pay into a private health insurance as well as, and alongside having the services of the NHS.. and that gives you alternative options and shorter wait times or choices... as you can use both.
One thing about health care systems like the NHS that never seems to be mentioned is the freedom it gives employees. In the USA folk think twice about changing jobs if their company has a "good" health care package. They are tied to the company. With universal health care systems that is not the case. You get the same health care whether you are employed or not and irrespective of your employer. It is worth mentioning though that some UK Businesses offer private health care insurance packages in addition to NHS cover.
Thanks for this video. Really interesting. Yep, it’s reassuring whenever you go to a doctor or visit a hospital and not worry about having to pay. There are also certain medical conditions that for anyone with them - automatically gives that patient free prescriptions for the rest of their life. Enjoying all your videos. Thanks.
I’m glad you love the NHS 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
It’s a gift ❤️
@@haasfamfarm it needs to be looked after better that’s for sure! Meaning by politicians. Sorry to political 😂
Try seeing an NHS dentist.
Another thought on prescriptions. When I was a student (England) I got poorly and the GP said he could prescribe me something, but first asked if I paid for my prescriptions because if I did, it would be cheaper for me to buy the same thing over the counter for less than the prescription charge.
Also the contraceptive pill/ implant/ injection are exempt from prescription charges regardless of your age.
You can skip the NHS queue for knee surgery by paying for private treatment. It is quite likely to be in a specialist hospital that operates as a charity. My wife trashed her knee racing my son on a slalom course in Canada. She was in her forties and had been skiing for years, he was 16 and had been skiing for five days, she lost!
She chose to have her knee replacement in the Horder Centre in Sussex a few years later, it has a reputation for excellence such that private patients come from all over Europe. I think the current cost for the entire treatment, including hospital stay and physiotherapy for a year is £14,000. That compares with $30,000 per childbirth for CS for my American daughter-in-law. (That was the invoiced cost, she has good health insurance with modest co-payments). She has three children, all delivered by CS.
Drug prescription is much more tightly regulated in the UK, as a general rule they will only prescribe drugs that are absolutely necessary, particularly for children. This policy is on the basis that there may be a need for a specific antibiotic later in life that could be life-saving. My daughter-in-law, who is a clinician in South Carolina, ran a test on her resistance to antibiotics prior to delivering her children. She found that she was resistant to all but two antibiotics, and they both had to be administered intravenously. She tells me that patients come to her and say "I don't care how much it costs, just fix it" as if she were a magician/car mechanic. The notion that efficacy is directly related to cost of treatment just doesn't exist for the NHS.
Earlier this year, I contracted pneumonia on a cruise. I travelled to the UK, where my condition worsened. My brother, who lives in the UK, called 111, and the rest of the story consists of the beauty of the NHS. I've never been treated so well.
Healthcare, free at the point of delivery, should be a basic right in any advanced (First World) economy making claim to that status. US citizens don't have this basic right - as a European I cannot understand how US citizens tolerate this desultory state of affairs. Healthcare is NOT socialism - the UK's economy is also based on the capitalist system just like the USA - there may be more stringent regulation in the UK but capitalism remains at its core.
You say that as if all Euro countries have it, well they don't. They pay money for a health insurance in some countries and they always pay a charge for services. Almost without exception. Take Ireland, Austria, Netherlands. There are some freebies say in Ireland based on income but those are exceptions. For poverty. Sure it's not like US but its a middle or third way.
We all know not going to fly here. Free at the point of use, try to take that away and any Govt is deep in trouble.
@@peterharridge8565 Yes, some countries in Europe use a different model from the UK NHS but despite the funding mix, which is some countries is partially by privately paid insurance top-up, the principle of free at the point of delivery remains almost universal across Europe, which is anathema to the US experience?
@@peterdavidson3268 Well no not really. I know France charges a small amount for example a visit to the GP. Hospital services don't know, imagine there could be a fee.
Austria I have been in a hospital in, and there is a pay point in the Hospital. When I went you may think this is for tourists only, but no an Austrian was in front of me in the line/queue. My charge it is true was not much for one night but this is because UK/EU met 80% of the charge as you can have an EHIC which means you pay 20%. Side note, you don't need one for emergency treatment at least in Austria. As they said to me, we are not going to leave you to die in the street. I didn't have an EHIC and didn't need one. An EHIC though is required for non emergency treatment. The point is if you are a valid UK resident you pay 20% regardless of what card you hold. My charge for treatment 23.40 Euros for a 1 night stay in a Cardiac ward. I can assume this for an uninsured Austrian 117 euros(2007) which is quite a lot and if you are insured (like Netherlands) what is it. That's the question, but if an insurance is mandatory it will be something. Because they are queueing to pay.
But then let us talk about ambulance services in Austria, the fee in a Hospital may be OK as cheaper. But all Ambulance services are private and charged. And by the way not covered by the EHIC system. For me an air ambulance came, and the price 2000 Euros roughly in 2007. That is 2000 tourist or not meaning Austrians pay. Road ambulances are also charged but not 2000 Euros obviously. Maybe 400. But in UK all ambulances are free.
Netherlands has a mandatory insurance, typically 130-150 euros per month. And you pay (that's right not free) the first 400 Euros of any treatment in a year. That can't be less than 400 Euros as that is statutory minimum but can be more and you will pay less per month as a consequence. I certainly know Germany has a system of health insurance too, whether mandatory don't know. But if not, sure you will pay if you don't have one. That is just the reality.
So we can see the difference between US and Netherlands policy, and one it is if you have insurance you are covered 100% in Netherlands and two you pay the first 400 Euros and prescriptions are more reasonable if not free. So this is the US with regulation. I'm not sure why one is described as universal and one isn't. The fact is US is universal as you are not going to be left on the street to die but you will get a fat bill. But sure its annoying to be asked 'how will you pay' when you have fractured Vertebrae. As happened to me. In my case actually it is not clear to Hospital how I would pay, because they can't call travel insurance plan as in UK. Well of course they can, but wouldn't. But can I remember insurance contact number, well no . I didn't have that stuff on me and had to try and remember policy provider. But I did find it on line, so they could have rang. But didn't. I think I called my resort to have a look in my room which they did and sent details. For example policy number. In fact I had the overall Manager come down to ask me details at one point (after a couple of days in Hospital). But have met Americans who have had treatment and then gone missing to not pay, Well they have made a wrong move and now won't be covered. I met one who basically now stayed with friends as a consequence , at the Lance Armstrong Bike shop in Austin where they had assessed my bike for value. Now written off.
Ireland there are fees that you pay for treatment if uninsured separately from tax. If you are poorer there are 2 schemes , depends how poor. One is you get 12 free Appt's to GP per year, another is you get everything free. But richer people pay, no doubts. I know because I found out because at one time was thinking of moving there as there are cheaper houses there in rural areas. And was selling in Scotland where I lived. but as I have pacemaker I opted against, as would either have to pay or fill in forms for help. No thanks, UK free. Why would I be that daft to go from a free system to not free. Actually wasn't 66 at that time so my only income was from lump sums on a personal pension. How that would play with a means test, no don't know.
So overall no you are wrong, all that I have researched are definitely not free at point of delivery. Of course you may have a super super insurance that means you don't pay say in Germany. I say this because one German on UA-cam living in US actually gets her US healthcare paid for by her German insurance. How much that costs don't know.
@@peterharridge8565 OK, I'll concede that free at the point of delivery is NOT universal across Europe - but it is common place, certainly across most of Northern Europe but it's correct that in Germany, Nederlands and Greece for example, private insurance makes a significant contribution to funding of the healthcare system and you do have to pay for some elements of healthcare across Europe at the point of delivery.
The argument I was really trying to articulate (albeit very clumsily) is that the US healthcare model is essentially a load of rubbish!
What is indisputable is the fact that the United States spends significantly more on healthcare per person than ALL other advanced nations.
I found an informative report comparing Healthcare spend and Healthcare outcomes across 13 First World Nations compiled by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation (hardly a left of centre oriented source!), showing recent data that the US healthcare spend per capita is $12742, which is way more than the next nearest, Switzerland at $9044, and nearly three times more than Italy at $4736.
What do US citizens get for this vastly greater expenditure on healthcare - well in terms of health outcomes, the US does very poorly, finishing bottom in life expectancy, infant mortality, unmanaged diabetes outcomes and childbirth safety results.
A key driver of this massive disconnect between healthcare spend and healthcare outcomes is administration costs in the US, which are off the scale at $1001 per capita in the US, compared to an average of just $213 per capita across these 13 advanced countries - Italy, which ranks 3rd in both life expectancy and infant mortality spends just $80 per capita, just on admin. In other words, it is the Private Healthcare Industry that is bilking US citizens en-masse, in return for very poor service?
Conclusion: to make use of an Americanism here; THE US HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SUCKS!!!
@@peterdavidson3268 Well absolutely do agree the US system is rubbish. They couldn't though implement a UK type of NHS. Because that would mean most Hospitals falling within the state's ownership. And here we definitely mean states and not Federal. Simply put the NHS , free at the point of delivery, can't be implemented without A) massive subsidy by US Govt or B) most Hospitals being taken over by Govt.
On the other hand a Dutch type system can be envisaged. Because all it would mean is that everyone pays say $150 per month and pay the first say $500 of treatment and also that every condition covered at no extra expense. Will it cost extra tax, sure but it would be done within the existing system of Private hospitals and private insurers. For me it's not a great model (Netherlands) but better than US.
But would say there isn't seemingly anyone wanting to do it, Republicans or Democrats. Or even a majority of American people.
The extra expenditure is due to drug prices, insurance and profits for hospitals. And also likely Hospitals subsidising Medicare/Medicaid patients because states don't pay them enough. Meaning other patients pay more. But of course wages for Dr's/Nurses are a factor, and also 24-7 food and single rooms in Hospitals. That's a plus point for patients, well off patients or ones that were covered 100% likely not going to want a ward rather than a single room. For me, I'd say my stay in US Hospitals was the best bar none in any Hospital. And have been to quite a few. Overall but of course I am not paying as covered by travel insurance. If I was paying wouldn't say that as am not a millionaire.
There's a couple of other things that I saw, one they gave me a walking frame that I couldn't return (still in my resort that I stayed at), two, they wanted to give me free home physio if I was American resident (but couldn't as I wasn't). I can tell you this wouldn't be the case in UK. Three they paid for Uber's from hospital to resort , twice (and we are talking say 25 miles). For no cost to me, and not on invoice at all. Don't know why, but it's true. Would NHS do that, well no. But think it would be a transport ambulance to home.
In Austria I went home by Train (to Hotel) following what was said to have been a heart attack. No comment. I don't think NHS would have allowed it.
You can et in quickly if you go private. I had mine done a couple of years ago. It costs around £11,000 all in for a new knee, which is far cheaper than it would be in the USA.
Brilliant, thank you for not knocking our beloved NHS. We are mostly angry at the moment that successive governments have been starving it of funds and not taking care of our jewel in the crown, basically. I sometimes forget when we go to the doctors, dentists and hospitals etc, that not every country is as lucky. But most countries in Europe have their own particular versions. Nothing like the USA, though. I am glad you seem to be enjoying your time in the UK. Long may it continue x
It gets so much money. It needs managed better.
@@jpw6893
20% of that money now goes to private companies and the shareholders
@@monza1002000 Thank Tony Blair
@@monza1002000 Private companies? As opposed to what other type of company? You do understand how capitalism works, right? The NHS is not immune from the capitalist system...
@@jaysummers9396 A 20% cut is extortion.
I think you would find that if, in the UK, you opted for a private consultant/surgeon to speed up your referral, you would pay a fraction of the charge in the US.
3 years ago i had a major stroke i was taken 165 miles from Peterborough to London by ambulance for specialist treatment and later returned by ambulance later that evening total cost to me zero thanks to N H S glad i do not live in USA
My mother had a knee replacement under the NHS when she was 89, and a few months ago, an emergency hip replacent following a fall aged 92. The aging population is having a real impact on hospital queues. Not just in the UK either.
Many uk citizens have NHS and they also have private medical insurance. The treatment quality is the same. However private healthcare providers in the uk really help you jump the elective surgery and specialised queues. Many employers offer a private healthcare plan as part of your salary package. This mean if you’re hurt you can get back to work faster than if you have to wait for say knee surgery. Elective healthcare under the NHS is also prioritised by the GP and the specific specialist. So heart issues are seen faster than knees. UK private healthcare providers DO NOT treat ER type issues. If you’re in a car crash you will be taken by ambulance to the nearest emergency department at the nearest hospital that has ER department. Some rural communities have hospitals that do not have ER departments and you are ambulanced to the best hospital for the injuries that you are experiencing. This ambulance could be a normal vehicle or in some cases a special air ambulance.
Private treatment is provided by NHS doctors. I worked for the NHS for 40 odd years in the operating theatre, most of our surgeons had private patients they operated on in BUPA hospitals sometimes they would ask their NHS theatre team to assist them and they would be paid by the surgeon.
@@paulinetill1043 100% true, just proves how good the UK NHS is - the private practice specialists, and as you state many NHS nurses work in the the NHS will also do private sector healthcare work. I personally have no problem with this being an option for people with the cash. However I also feel that the government should be doing more to fund NHS staff wages given the level of commitment that many lowered paid NHS workers receive given their commitment to their vocation.
you can pick your GP as long as its in or near where you live. they are not that strict and there are loads of doctors surgeries available
Thank you!
Prescriptions in England are free over 60, and for children and various categories of people, I think they are free for everyone in Scotland and Wales, possibly NI too, but I'm not sure. Also, yes £9.90 for individual prescriptions, which is fine for a one-off, but if you have repeat prescriptions for even 2 medications it is much better to get a pre-payment certificate. Also people on low income and income related government benefits are free
Free diabetics as well.
Oh my goodness! What a blessing! Where are you in the UK? Do you like the NHS as it’s currently managed? Many have said it needs to be better managed. ❤️
@@haasfamfarm I live in the South East! I work for the NHS! My GP surgery is amazing. So is my local hospital but it varies from area to area. Love to watch your family videos and how you are all embracing your new lives!
In Scotland there are no prescription charges for anyone, and you do pay NI.
And it's free for illegals that everyone is forced to pay for here too.
Great to hear your experineces folks - Thankyou for sharin !
Thanks for watching!
Just to clarify the prescription charges, you don’t pay any if you’re in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. If you’re in England, you don’t pay any if you’re under 18, or over 60, or are pregnant, or are in hospital, or have a chronic condition such as diabetes.
Also some prescription medicines cost less than the NHS cost. So you can use your doctors prescription to authorise you getting them, if required, but buy them privately for less.
We in England are subsidizing the Scots, Welsh and Irish prescriptions
@@sjbict As someone who has never been to Scotland my understanding is that Scotland is neutral in tax and spending. In Engla, London; do not live there, is subsidising the rest of England and Wales.
@@sjbict Gee, thanks🙂
@@johnclements6614 That's the (approximate) actual situation. It's amazing how much London is disliked by all the parts of England that London heavily subsidises.
Very informative, thank you for an unbiased opinion.👍
Glad it was helpful! Are you in the UK?
@@haasfamfarm yes we live in Devon. I like the unbiased view of the NHS. Some people knock it, I think it’s amazing and priceless. My wife has worked in the NHS for over thirty years.👍
The US healthcare system just baffles me. Yeah, the NHS has it's problems, but I'm so grateful we have it. For prescriptions, England pays for these (think it's something like £7, but in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland they are free.
A prescription will cost £9.90 for EACH medicine or appliance on the prescription dispensed NOT each prescription
The US system does exactly what it’s designed to do, make money.
According to the House of Commons Library 95% of people in England don't pay for prescriptions
@@sjbict You can get that reduced if you have multiple prescriptions
Hi folks, I am enjoying your videos of your journey and discovering the UK.
I think the biggest benefit of the NHS will be your change in mindset.
You will no longer worry about your health making you bankrupt.
@@BikersDoItSittingDown very well said! Where are you in the UK?
@@haasfamfarm
a lovely village in Somerset, in bed due to a knee replacement by the NHS 2 days ago.
Thanks for asking.
I am relying on your videos to entertain me whilst bed-bound.
No. In the UK you just worry you won't get treated. I have been waiting 10 months....
This is not meant as a criticism because you were not to know, and you had 111 route you to the ambulance. But rather than wait for an ambulance ( and take up that precious resource), why not take a taxi to the hospital A&E department? You would have got to hospital faster and the ambulance would have been available for other more critical incidents.
I don't think it was their choice to opt for an ambulance - 111 did that, in case there was some kind of spinal injury.
@@Graham-p9pshe got home therefore go to a and e
My late sister in law needed some specialised medication close to the end of her life. She was both over 60 - free prescriptions and terminally ill - free prescriptions. The pharmacist told me that her pack of 60 tablets cost him £130 per tablet. Naturally that cost was reimbursed by the NHS, but without free prescriptions that one medication - one of many for her palliative care- would have cost her a lot of money if she could afford it at all. We take the NHS for granted ,but it wasn’t always there. I was born before we had that privilege and my parents couldn’t afford a hospital birth so I was born at home with no medical help.
Where I live there has been a GP shortage for decades. Most GPs are actually self employed independent contractors to the NHS. If they don't want to work in your particular region, you are out of luck. So you end up with a small number of GP surgeries, with very large patient lists. I signed up at a clinic 2 minutes walk away, but ended up reassigned to a doctor whose base surgery is 2 bus rides away. After my original GP retired.
This is a legacy of when the NHS was set up. As GPs wouldn't join the NHS system unless they were allowed to remain as self employed contractors.
It’s like that in Cornwall of all places and that’s because most GPs are married, a lot of GPs want to work in Cornwall but there are often not the jobs for their mainly professional spouses. It’s sad but since most families now have 2 working parents it’s not really solvable which is why there are so many agency GPs in Cornwall. They often live somewhere else and work I week in Cornwall have 1 week off.
Wishing you all the best. The Midlands is great. I’m an ex Warwick University Graduate who stayed locally. I love the Warwickshire and Worcestershire countryside. Hope you’re having a great time in our wonderful country. ❤
I posted this before you got on your your rugby story. I played for 27 years and had to have an arthroscopy with micro fracture on my knee. Hope everything goes well.
How is your knee feeling now? I am hoping this gets me back to being able to jog or do moderate exercise pain-free. That is my small (but also giant) goal. -Jordan
@@haasfamfarm hey. Knee recovered really well. I didn’t play again, but I was able to ref games, so running or fast jogging should be no problem once you are fully rehabbed. Just make sure you do the exercises they tell you. And don’t try and do too much. If you as I expect will be non weight bearing for a month or so…. Be prepared that you will basically be an invalid. You can’t take a drink from your kitchen counter to a table or the sofa, as you need to use your hands for your crutches…. But unless they screw it up. You should be pretty much back to full mobility.
American also see NHS as a socialism thing which a lot aren’t keen on. And yes technically it is but thats what makes it so great is no matter who you are or how much you earn everyone chips in a bit over their working lifetime towards the greater good and no one is turned away.
I think we have never known anything else so shared healthcare system is just part of our norm.
It is socialism to the same extent as police, fire and army services. Similarly, provision of roads.
@@djtwo2Those aren’t services that someone could procure privately though. You couldn’t have a load of parallel police departments and insurance that allows someone to call only one of them. Can’t allow an apartment block to burn down because someone doesn’t have fire brigade cover.
Just another ignorant American who knows nothing about our NHS ,it’s nothing to do with socialism it’s called living in a civilised society where healthcare is important
The various collective health care systems in Europe are good for business (except the medical insurance business). The business does not worry about taking on somebody how has a long term illness that does not effect their job. People are not stopped from moving jobs because of the insurance that the new employer can offer.
"Socialism" is a fictitious bogey-man invented by American insurance companies and corporate medical and pharmaceutical interests to scare Americans from demanding the same sort of medical services enjoyed by everyone else in the civilised world.
Great video. ❤
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I live in a small city and I have a choice of 5 different GP practices. My GP gives the time needed by the individual patient. The longest I have waited is 20 minutes. Doesn’t bother me as I have needed that time.
You forgot to mention that you could have had your knee operation almost immediately f you wanted to pay for it; it would have., even then, been a fraction of the price you would have payed in the States. It could well be around what you would have had to pay as copay .
Some waiting lists to see a consultant can be month's then to get the operation it depends on the hospitals you can get referred to a different hospital in a town/ city. I go to several a 120 miles around trip via ambulance transport due to my health problems
Thanks for your interest and comments on this video. Believe it or not, UA-cam is paying our family now to create content, in large part because of the interest in this topic. Therefore, we plan on making more informative content that we hope lends some perspective and information on healthcare in both the USA and UK. In November I will be interviewing my father, who until this month was a practicing medical doctor in the United Stated. He contracted cancer, retired, and is going through treatment now. In January we will have a follow up on my knee surgery. We are also reviewing comments to make sure popular statements and questions are discussed. Please like and subscribe to get notifications of future videos. Thanks and God bless. -Jordan & Starre
The Ambulance as well as how long you wait in A&E depends entirely case by case, in the midlands if you had a heart attack they will be to you normally within 10m often much sooner, but if its a minor flesh wound or like in your case a fall but without any broken bones it can take along time, often your best bet is to take a taxi if your unable to drive to the closest hospital and simply walk yourself in. The NHS is very good at giving care to people who really need it but not great for minor injuries or the like.
In Scotland all prescriptions are not charged. We are prescribed medication by our doctor, we take it to the pharmacy and collect it, no fee.
That’s amazing. Why is it free?
@@haasfamfarm because we have a social contract with our government which means that they acknowledge that medication is part of healthcare, so the government mitigate the cost of prescription items so we don't have to pay extra over the counter.
I don’t see the US ever having an NHS type system, whenever I’ve watched videos about this topic and they’re speaking to Americans there seems to be a really selfish attitude in respect of why should I pay for someone else, it’s such a shortsighted point of view it’s unreal.
@@chrisharris5497 That is an interesting viewpoint, but that’s how insurance works, ( including healthcare insurance, car insurance, house insurance) it’s about pooling risk.
A NHS particuarly benefits poor people who in the USA tend to be black, good ole racism.
Your right I have come across this frequently
Some of our family members in the UK used to pay for BUPA private healthcare. It seemed like the best of both worlds and still much less expensive than we were paying here with minimum coverage and a $5,000 deductible.
No prescription charge in scotland.
So glad to now know that!
Or Northern Ireland
For the 7% who fall out the exempt categories.
But you can't see a doctor to order one.
You also have the opportunity to go private (if you have the means) which most likely will be quicker. However you may get an NHS surgeon who is working in both sectors. All the best to you and yours from Scotland. Rab❤
Thanks for sharing!
Am I right in thinking that in America it's profit before people ? , also retired people don't pay for prescriptions.
Not necessarily retired, anyone over 60. Or you live in Scotland or Wales.
For now! the Gvt are looking at bringing in charges for Over 60s depending on condition.
The ambulance response times depend on how serious the condition is, the more life threatening the condition the quicker the ambulance basically
Heaving yo pay 3k for a year is worth it man...ive probably paid over 20k to NHS so far with working over the years roughly i pay about £1,126 per year
Totally agree
So glad to hear you like the NHS, it's not perfect but it's definitely one of the best healthcare systems. Personally I've always found the care is excellent and as you say it's just wonderful to not even have to consider costs when it comes to your healthcare. I lived in the States for several years and the difference is shocking, yes the care there is also good but having to think about the costs can just make you even more ill.
It’s almost paralyzing. We avoid the emergency room as much as possible.
Cost of over the counter medication is cheaper too!
My postcode is a town in Ayrshire but I had a choice of two surgeries and 12 GPs