I would be the first to defend the NHS in UK; our own recent experience of serious illness led to a procession of health professionals in our lives, ALL of whom were great. I say that in the context of understanding the pressures and limitations faced by health practitioners from paramedics, hospital based staff, our GP and practice nurse.

We have free health care for major conditions and free advice on other health issues such as smoking and weight loss. Compared to other parts of the world we are most fortunate and we should be fighting to keep our NHS a public service, rather than criticising NHS staff who maybe don't know everything we believe they should, or who may occasionally present as inattentive\arrogant. (In the same way that some folkies live up to the stereotype by having long hair and ethnic fair trade clothes!). The NHS is not perfect (nothing is) but I'd far rather have it than not.

And I don't interpret VT's experience as a critique of the whole NHS; it is one person's narrative of their health issues; and I am glad to hear of some early signs of improvement!