In the UK, the health system is "nationalized". That means, everybody gets free medical treatment by the "NHS (National Health Service)", without an insurance or ny monthly fee - the system is all financed through taxes. But there is some bureaucracy involved: in case of illness, one cannot just go to any doctor, but has to go to a "surgery" within the resident's area. So when I moved to here, I found four such surgeries to which I could in principle. In order to get treatment, one has to register with that surgery first.
When I got my annual cold last November, I decided to give this NHS a try, and chose to register with the Manor Park Surgery, since that was closest to the Kirkstall Brewery, my residence. When I came there in the morning, all I did was just registering, giving them my contact data and filling out a questionnaire. When I then asked for an appointment to one of the doctors, all the vacant time slots were filled, and I would have to come again next day. I decided then to cure myself teh old-fashined way, with hot tea and rest. And it worked - I am still healthy now. They do actually also have a phone-in service: at a toll-free number, a nurse gives health advise to the callers and makes recommendations about further treatment of minor ailments.
A few days ago, I was shocked to see that this surgery was in the evening news on TV: a fire had destroyed it. Yesterday I got a letter from them, ensuring me that all my records are ok (I did not have many, except about my slight cold I had last November), and advising of other surgeries that I could use in the meantime until they rebuild it.
