That sounds appalling - I reckon you have grounds for a complaint/compensation and should see a solicitor.
Yes, very decrepit old woodworker here, but touch wood hips and knees still reasonably functional. I have two friends who had hip operations. One had it donee just a couple of weeks ago, the other, about 5 years ago. I saw him got from a hobbling guy in constant pain to walking and cycling perfectly normally. It absolutely transformed his life. I was also cycling with a guy a couple of weeks ago, who had one hip done and waiting for the other to be done. It certainly didn't hold him back, 18-20+ mph. Good luck. I'm sure it will all go well and you will soon be getting your leg over the bike again! You should ask if you can get a grease nipple fitted for maintenance!
Have to tell Phil! Remind him that every time he strolls "freely" along a path to not kid himself; it may not be absolutely free at all!
I'm no expert, but from my observations, our local NHS system applies a rationing/recycling of patients based on local supply demand, its probably quite informal as they probably don't like publishing waiting lists. Somethings happen fast and efficient, others you get into a recycling coil like a plane waiting to land at an airport. My kids teeth - instantly - strait to consultant in Leeds/Harrogate - seemed to have a department to ourselves, very empty waiting area, consultants keen to investigate stuff, (some quite questionable xrays, MRIs and examinations) . Whereas sons hole in ear drum has had 5 years of toeing and throwing to see differing doctors and consultants in York, Harrogate, Leeds etc then covid and now back to GP with lots of 10 minute appointments but back into a 3 month que, consultant called into AE so start again, needing antibiotics so that they can see in so back to GP and round again, - busy waiting areas with a lot of through traffic - I assume that department is full up whereas the teeth dept was quite slack.
I don't get it Jacob. I would have thought a dyed-in-the-wool socialist would be proud to say he pays for the NHS. Or do you have some magic way of avoiding income tax, VAT, and all the other taxes the rest of us pay that fund it?
It's free to anybody who needs it and I am happy to be part of the community who pays for it. I realise this causes a bit of head scratching on the right!
No I don't pay for it. It's free.So you DO pay for it. Thanks for clearing that up.
So I'm a 'Jacob baiter' because I disagree with something I read on this forum?
My grandfather was a coal miner before WWI, was wounded in France, came back to the grinding poverty and inequality he left in 1914 and though "What have I been fighting for for the last four years?" He became a union official and along with his communist brother got his skull cracked a few times fighting for a better life. My great uncle got thrown in prison. My Dad, along with the majority of his WWII servicemen bretheren, voted Churchill out on his return in favour of a Labour government that brought in the NHS, (along with old age pensions nationalising water, electricity, gas, the railways ...) and generally gave them all the level playing field they deserved.
So why do you need an explanation of the meaning of a free health service?
Well, if I might be permitted to answer:
I wasn't aiming the comment specifically at you, but seeing as you responded.... He had already clarified what he meant and accepted the point that public services are publicly funded. You then sent 3 messages that did not bring new information and looked to me like they were designed to provoke a response rather than add to the debate (including accusing him of weasel words). If that isn't baiting, I don't know what is.
