Hi I agree as ageing and more illnesses; I am in Ontario Canada and thankful (even tho I complain sometimes) that majority of medical is paid, plus have extended health care from when I worked; my husband's extended health care terminated when he retired but luckily my employer keeps both of us on it til I pass away; for instance paid $45 for ambulance I took couple of weeks ago paid full amount; but its the prescriptions. Mine aren't too expensive but husband has 12 a day and majority is paid either by government or my health care plan.. not sure what we would do without help paying... probably he would have to cancel some of the drugs or find alternative.
Not sure about this but I think this is why Canada doesn't want to go to a 2 tier health system where we can pay the doctors if we can afford or choose to; but think I read that all our "good" drs. would want to move to the private pay where they could make a lot more income, leavng the not so good or maybe new family doctors for those who cant pay... again, not sure if this is accurate. Am not sure if this is so in UK.
My issue now is not having a fam. dr., and using a walkin clinic... they have been very good, but then on top Covid and after having a very bad spell (3) now have to wait until August for a phone conversation with a neurologist out of town; although to be fair, the clinic did have a ct scan done on me which was normal. I was told over phone by a specialist and husband heard on speaker phone, he said that many doctors are "hiding in their homes" during covid and he said, I must admit I am too!!! So that hasn't helped waiting tiimes....I waited 11 months just to have an ENT phoned me and he didnt sound happy either and ended up telling me his problems and didnt ask about mine (true)... Heavren Help Us All !!! J.