I was in hospital recently and met a Trainee Doctor from Germany. I asked her why she had come to the UK for her training.

“It is simple,” she said. “The NHS is the best health service in the world.”

With all the doom and gloom and negative media reports, this was a very interesting point of view. I pressed her on how she had reached that conclusion.

“The German health service is not as good as in the UK. The level of care from British Doctors and Nurses is amazing. In Germany, Doctors have total responsibility. This means that they do everything, from taking blood to administering medication. In the UK, the Nurses are so highly trained that they can take responsibility for such procedures. This frees the Doctors to focus on helping patients. The the Doctors in the UK are wonderful when speaking with patients.”

I must admit that I was taken aback by her comments. Although I have always considered the NHS to be an incredible institution, listening to the German Trainee Doctor made me think again.

It is pretty amazing that the NHS is able to provide ‘free’ health care (if you do not consider payment via tax). The burden on the state is substantial, but the most vulnerable people in society are cared for. Even the USA, with the biggest economy in the world, has struggled. President Obama’s Healthcare Bill was an attempt to create a system where the lowest paid had access to good health care, although this has since overturned by incumbent President Trump.

One part of Obamacare included a new health care bill focusing on improving employer based health care making it available to more employees. Indeed, the number of UK companies providing healthcare as part of a financial package continues to grow. Also, many people are taking out Private Health Insurance for themselves and their families.

There is no doubt that there are challenges facing the NHS. And the political party who wins the next General Election will have some very tough decisions to make. However, we all should never lose sight of the fact that we have something very special and precious, and envied across the world.

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