AdamfromWales

For those who have made the move from UK recently, how have you found the quality of service provided by Alberta Health compared to the NHS?

We have recently found that the UK services available and the support provided by the NHS has been a 'mixed bag'. Certain things are well organised and well executed but we have been left wanting more from the NHS which has resulted in us seeking private health support instead. We however certainly understand the constraints the service is under at the moment and empathise with the current situation that we as a country (in the UK) are in.

Out of interest, what is everyone's thoughts on the quality of the services provided right now in Canada? I know services can differ between provinces. From a personal perspective, I am particularly interested in Alberta.

dbd33

This is of limited value as it doesn't involve AB, but I find the services offered under OHIP in Orangeville ON are pretty much identical to those offered under the NHS in Bexhill-on-Sea. Even the type face on the "don't hit the staff" signs is the same.

Almost Canadian

I have lived in Calgary, and just south of Calgary, for the last 13 years.

The systems in both are similar. Some Drs will make you wait forever for an appointment and others can see you the same day.

The main two differences between the two is that, you pay the actual cost of the drugs prescribed to you in Alberta, rather than paying a standard fee (most people have some form of health insurance that may pay all, or some of this cost) and some services in Alberta you pay for that you wouldn't dream of paying for in the UK (ambulances, physiotherapy, crutches after you have injured your leg(s) etc.)

Hurlabrick

For Ontario, so far we have found OHIP to be much better than NHS for 'routine' ailments (i.e. non-specialist referrals). The battery of tests we have now undergone just for a routine / precaution during 'new patient take-on' amazed us both and we would certainly not have had these on the NHS. But yes, probably 'swings and roundabouts' to an extent. Just read that 25 diabetic US citizens coming to London, ON in a 'caravan' on Dr Banting's birthday to buy insulin in Canada - apparently costs $30 a vial compared with $340 a vial in the US!!!!

Former Lancastrian

Well if you are living in Canada you won't be getting NHS coverage and if living in the UK you wouldn't be getting Alberta Health coverage. It's simple where are you living and what coverage can you get. Pointless comparing systems if where you are living you can't get the one you prefer. Haven't heard of anyone choosing to emigrate to Canada because of health coverage. It is what it is where you live and if not entitled to coverage you had where you previously lived. Why bother comparing unless the coverage determines if you will emigrate or not. Might as well throw in car insurance, banking services, cell phone plans, internet access and a raft of others.
There are pros and cons to both but you can only get the coverage which is determined by where you live although the snowbirds have an advantage of living in the warmer states during the winter and either travelling back for surgery or health problems as they are covered under which Provinces plan they live in rather than paying US costs.

dbd33

It's a routine reason for moving to Canada rather than the US.

Atlantic Xpat

I can't comment on the health service in Alberta but suspect, as in most places, it's a factor of where you are, how it's run and funded and can be hit or miss just like the NHS. In my part of Canada we've had exceptional paediatric neurology and rehab services (physio, speech, occupational therapy etc), the equal or better of anywhere else in the world. But routine surgeries have extensive waiting lists and, again, like in the NHS or other provincial health care in Canada, you can find stories of errors, failures, delays etc if you look for them.

One important difference though between Canada and the UK is that in the UK you can go private, either paying out of pocket or through health insurance such as BUPA. That option by and large doesn't exist within Canada. Paying for healthcare is illegal. (There are I'm sure provincial exceptions to this but as a general rule). Your alternative is going south of the border, for which you need deep pockets.

Former Lancastrian

Only to those who have the ability to qualify to emigrate and move.

BristolUK

So, given the nature of the forum it might just be a relevant topic then.

dbd33

G'won! The OP obviously has the ability to qualify to emigrate and move to AB or to stay in the UK so it's a comparison of obvious interest even if it alone would not be the deciding factor in considering emigration.

BristolUK

And we move ever closer to a National Pharmacare system for Prescription costs.

Achieving Pharmacare for All

Because, you know, improvements happen

Hurlabrick

It is certainly a key consideration for my sister who lives in the US as she approached retirement (and is now considering moving to Canada as she is scared witless about living in the US with no employee provided medical cover). Yes, she is a Canadian, British and US citizen (Jasonella Bourne!).

Former Lancastrian

Only relevant until you actually get here. Cant say I have come across many people wanting to emigrate to Canada and then decided not to because of the healthcare system in Canada. Of course for an American who can emigrate perhaps this is a plus but to the 50 year old German couple with no relatives here and not scoring enough points to emigrate then its irrelevant as I don't expect they were planning on emigrating to Canada because of it.
Once you are here you are stuck with it. Not even all Provincial/Territorial plans are the same but we live in the same country.

bc2015

Just because they give you a bunch of tests, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a good health care system. I undertook a very invasive and pointless test because the consultant was trigger happy with ordering tests. In hindsight I should have pushed back but I didn't.

plasticcanuck