I must relate the two unpleasant experiences I have had with doctors. I lived for a few years in a rather run-down part of Sheffield (in the UK). On one winter's day, I slipped on a patch of ice and injured my back. I went to the local doctor, to ask for an X-ray. He looked at my details and said, "You're twenty-seven and not married yet. Is there something wrong with you ?" If this was his attempt at humour, I was not amused. I replied, "No, I'm not married, but I'm seeing someone who is. Does that count ?"

A few years afterwards, when I had moved to the other side of the Pennines, I started suffering from a persistent chest infection; coughing up lots of white and green stuff, etc. Over the next six weeks, I visited the doctor three times. On the first visit, he said that the condition would probably clear itself up soon (even though it had already lasted a month). On the second, he recommended that I take two aspirins, or words to that effect. On the third, he prescribed some childrens' cough linctus which had as much effect as a watering can on a forest fire. I changed to a different practice. On my first visit to the new quack, he pulled out the stethoscope, listened and said, "You've been walking around with pleurisy for three months". Heavy-duty antibiotics (erythromycin ?) fixed things. I didn't take the matter of the original neglect further, but I heard some years later that another doctor at the same practice where I had received such cavalier treatment had resigned after similar complaints of malpractice.

To be fair to the medical profession, that is two cases out of the many dozens of occasions I have used the NHS. They have been more than patient with my long list of misadventures (rugby and skiing injuries) and other ailments. (We are still arguing about the cause of the gout which afflicted me last year. I may enjoy life to the full, but I do not put gin on my cornflakes, as they implied).

In short, the NHS is a brilliant idea, in my humble opinion. I would abhor the thought of it being replaced by any private medical insurance scheme.