Sunny, in the UK it's generally not about money in the same way it is in the States.
We have the NHS, the National Health Service so our health care is free at the point of use. We pay a fixed fee for prescriptions, and for dental care, but doctor and hospital visits are free. Paid for by the government out of our tax money.
We have different problems with our health care, like long waiting lists, difficulty in getting a referral to see a specialist, the virtually impossible task of finding an NHS dentist, and restrictions on types of medications and treatments that are available. Not to mention that the NHS is always out of funds and threatening to close hospitals.
With some problems, particularly those to do with conception, there is known to be a 'postcode lottery' which means that in some areas you can get the treatments (usually where there are better run hospitals and Primary Care Trusts) and in some areas the treatments are not available, usually because either the PCT or the hospital haven't managed their money very well, or don't have enough staff, or just don't want to... it could be anything.
And even if you can see a specialist and get the treatment you need, we are just as likely to run across incompetentence and medical negligence.
Sometimes with the NHS, everything happens as it should and turns out well, other times you genuinely believe they are still using leeches and offering blood letting. |