Canadian healthcare versus NHS
#16
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Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
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#18
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
On the other hand, my brother broke his leg in the UK and was on almost daily physio during his recovery, including home visits, that just wouldnt happen here, it would be prohibitively expensive after a while.
#19
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
In hospital treatment is covered under (Ontario) OHIP, but once out, or if never in (like my frozen shoulder issue), then you are on your own, as with drug costs.
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,840
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
Know about what? Am I aware that certain hospital patients who borrow crutches from hospital and do not return them then yes I am but have none in my home
About your personal injury then I know nothing about that nor do I need to or if you actually returned the borrowed crutches.
About your personal injury then I know nothing about that nor do I need to or if you actually returned the borrowed crutches.
#22
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
There are all kinds of add-on things, because optometry and dentistry are generally not covered except at a very basic level (e.g. free eye test every couple of years). Also prescription drug plans are something a lot of people get, especially if you have a chronic condition.
Healthcare varies considerably from province to province, because the law requires each province to have a healthcare system and cover certain things but each province gets a block grant from the federal govt. to help fund it.
Am I correct in thinking that you pay for healthcare in a similar way to paying National Insurance in the UK, via your paypacket as opposed to funding coming from general taxation. What happens with non-working people such as students, stay at home mothers and retired people?
Some provinces have health surtaxes on income tax or some sort of health fee you have to pay, but it all goes into general revenue and is paid from there.
Everyone is covered, working or not. To the extent you get coverage at any rate.
Are there any glaring deficiencies where Canadian public healthcare fails miserably compared to the NHS. Are there any medical conditions or lifesaving treatments that are not covered? I am aware that prescription medicines can be more costly than in UK, but how much more are we talking? Are things like vaccinations and blood tests free?
For example if you have a chronic condition, the prescriptions are covered by the NHS, not the case in Alberta. There are ways of getting discounts so it's not a huge problem and when I compare what I save in taxes to the additional cost of the prescriptions, I am better off.
And dental care. In the UK NHS dental care is reasonable and cheap (I don't get why people moan about the cost) but can be hard to find an NHS dentist in some regions.
As a result you find an optometrist and dentist on every street corner (supposedly there's a shortage, but I think that's generally in rural areas), but getting a family doctor is really hard.
The problem I find is that Canadians compare themselves to the US, well yes, it's better than it is in the US because you can get coverage and prescription drug prices are reasonable, but compared to any major European country the healthcare system here is definitely inferior.
All kinds of silliness prevails, e.g. if you are a plastic surgeon, it is illegal to work in the public system and then do cosmetic surgery on the side, you can only do one or the other.
I remember talking to a nurse (yes a nurse) who had fallen down the steps of the federal building downtown and been taken to the ER with a broken ankle and they kept her lying on a gurney for many hours, I can't remember how long exactly but if you have a nurse who actually works in the system slating it...
One time I had a painful ear infection that was causing me disorientation, my GP was on vacation so I went to the clinic. The clinic was full, "come back tomorrow". Went early the next day - already full. Went to the ER, much annoyance that I hadn't gone to a clinic until I explained the situation. Sat there for hours until I got to see a doctor. And there were people sat around me in much worse shape who waited as long.
#23
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
The "preventative" argument used in Canada is bullshit.
I have found care obtained on both sides of the Atlantic great, OK, and downright dire.
#24
Banned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 744
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
Dentistry in the UK if you are private is generally expensive. Root canal and a new crown - £1000. Mrs fletch has had the Rc done last week. Back in a few weeks to do impressions for the crown.
Miss fletch (15) orthadontics, 18 months total cost £2800. NHS will only touch it if the teeth are like something on an arab lady in a Abbott and costillo movie. Anybody remember that sketch? Very funny.
What I would like to know, hip replacements, done here FOC, not FOC in Australia, how about Canada?
Miss fletch (15) orthadontics, 18 months total cost £2800. NHS will only touch it if the teeth are like something on an arab lady in a Abbott and costillo movie. Anybody remember that sketch? Very funny.
What I would like to know, hip replacements, done here FOC, not FOC in Australia, how about Canada?
#25
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
Dentistry in the UK if you are private is generally expensive. Root canal and a new crown - £1000. Mrs fletch has had the Rc done last week. Back in a few weeks to do impressions for the crown.
Miss fletch (15) orthadontics, 18 months total cost £2800. NHS will only touch it if the teeth are like something on an arab lady in a Abbott and costillo movie. Anybody remember that sketch? Very funny.
What I would like to know, hip replacements, done here FOC, not FOC in Australia, how about Canada?
Miss fletch (15) orthadontics, 18 months total cost £2800. NHS will only touch it if the teeth are like something on an arab lady in a Abbott and costillo movie. Anybody remember that sketch? Very funny.
What I would like to know, hip replacements, done here FOC, not FOC in Australia, how about Canada?
#26
Every day's a school day
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Was Calgary back in Edmonton again !!
Posts: 2,667
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
its still cheaper than in Canada
#30
Re: Canadian healthcare versus NHS
OHIP coverage changed a few years ago and physio was one of the victims, along with eye exams, but some is still covered, so just ignore my previous carping.
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/...iotherapy.html
Last edited by iaink; Apr 13th 2012 at 6:46 pm.