Sod the race horse.... The NHS is in such a state that the whole thing needs shaking up... my partner recently had a motorcycle accident and the whole NHS thing/help/non diagnosis was appalling. 2 ambulances attended and the 4 paramedics that arrived were great, i can not fault them at all, it was from arriving at Basildon A&E things went down hill. OH Also the coppers attitude was a different kettle of fish intirely, i dont know how I didnt end up being arrested for assulting a plonker in a hat... but anyway... I am lucky my employers offer private health care and thank the little dude in the sky they agreed to add my partner to the scheme to free me from the NHS all for a £150 excess fee. Also I have had a weird cough for 7 weeks, my GP said, chest infection, then asthma, now an allergy to 'something', i am on the verge of murdering the incapable GP with the DIY book of things it could be. (The full details of the whole accident and annoying cough senario can be found on my blog... Tom your views are more than welcome in the comments section.... i bought your book last week ha ha) My point is... I would rather a choice of private or NHS to pay into each month.... I would chose a private health scheme to contribute to monthly and opt out of paying any National Insurance out of my salary... this way the NHS has lost me as a patient, freeing up time and waiting lists for those that do not have a private scheme and in turn you have less patients for the poor nurses and doctors at hospitals and GP surgerys to then give the time and care to which patients deserve. also waiting lists would shorten... etc... Hey who knows they then might be able to diagnose correctly. so I can see a private doctor specialist etc if i am poorly with no waiting time. Dont get me wrong the NHS docs and nurses do a hard job and you cant knock them for making a few mistakes when worked into the ground by a failing system... they are human after all. But when it is my health / life that is on the line... is it too much to ask for decent care that I have actually paid for? maybe I am loosing my faith in the UK health system and "specialists" entirely.... Maybe my idea wouldnt work at all... worth a try though??