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G0TEZ > HEALTH 14.10.09 13:49l 61 Lines 2699 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : B70206G0TEZ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: G0TEz and medical systems
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Sent: 091014/1126Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:33399 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:B70206G0
From: G0TEZ@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : HEALTH@WW
Thank you very much,Barry.
I had no idea what the health system in Oz was like, so I have learn't
something.
The UK system started in 1948 with everything free then slipped a
bit. As you know from our resident expert, we have two main parties. The
one which introduced the welfare state was socialist
and, after dealing with a big, initial rush, steadied down a bit.
As governments came and went some things were completely free like
dentistry and prescriptions.
Initially, the healt service was not pleasant, with long waits on hard
seats in doctor's waiting rooms and hospitals. It reached it peak in the
late 60s when we had a good, appointments system with no really long
waits, comfortable seating and everything free with almost free dentistry.
Free if you were old or unemployed.
Throughout the 1980s things took a long slaow step backwards. The price of
prescriptions rose until, e.g. I heard an old man in a chemists with his
prescription who couldn't afford everything on it and was asking the
pharmacist which items he could do without.
"none, really" said the pharmacist, "you need them all."
It had always been the ambition of our Conservative party to scrap the NHS
and replace it with some form of private medicine. When our 'New Labour
party took over in 1997, they had become more right wing and did not
abolish prescription charges, in fact they put them up. Hospitals are a
lot more comfortable than in the 1940s but we are back to long waits both
in hospital and waiting to be admitted. Some people have died before
reaching hospital.
Both parties privatised ancillary services like cleaning which has lead to
the row over MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). Staph: Au
has always been around but was kept at bay by goos cleaning. The media
calling it a "Superbug" as if it were something new, doesn't help.
We do have private medicine for those who can pay and those companies have
been doing very well over the last 20 years or so.
It is nice to know that, if the worst happens, like a heart attack, an
ambulance will turn up and you will be treated totally gratis, so I still
prefer our system to the Yanks.
Why they should be having such a big row over, what appears to be our
system suggested by O'bama, I just don't understand.
p.s. As for the word 'Yanks', It came from the way that the redskins
pronounced the French word 'Anglais' I don't mean it in any perjorative
sense, it's just quicker to type than 'Americans.'
Anyone can call me a Limey,Pom, Rosbif, whatever. I don't have any chips
on my shoulders.
73 - Ian, G0TEZ
Msg timed: 12:20 on 2009-Oct-14
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