Comments on: Professor Hawking hits back at US conservative nutjobs

By: Dave Semple

Dave Semple — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:43:08 +0000

Likewise, I wouldn’t be here if it were not for the NHS. When newly born, I fell sick with a condition that is universally fatal without the right medical care. My parents couldn’t have afforded fancy private care, or even high level insurance – and the NHS was there. Several operations later, I was better.

By: Paul Collins

Paul Collins — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:18:04 +0000

Hi Dave

It seems that you have moved on with your website, looks quite professional if I may say so, just thought I would have my sixpeneth as I am quite passionate about the NHS

I have been under extensive medical treatment for approx 2 years now, which is currently ongoing within the NHS and up until recently havent known what the problem was. However after being referred to a number of consultant surgeons and clinical scientists and being put through some of the most rigerous tests using state of the art technology etc It is becoming apparent that the problem is due to a routine operation I had around 6 or 7 years ago where it seems a lot of internal damage was done.

However, given my personal experience under the care of the NHS I have access to specialists all over the country as and when needed and due to my situation being rare, I have been referred to specialists in rare conditions and havent had to complete a single claims form, i.e. where needed the help has just been there?

However I must point out that had the original surgery gone ok in the first place I most likely wouldnt be in this impossible situation now but the Irony is, the original surgery was performed in a private hospital, which kind of explodes the myth of private health care being in anyway superior to state funded public health care??

I shudder to think what position I would be in under a private, insurance driven system? Would I be able to get cober with a medical history? And more appropriately, would I be able to afford the premium?

I am not saying the NHS is perfect, like any organisation things can always be better or go wrong from time to time, but the fact that help is on hand when you need it or least expect it is priceless?

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:10:34 +0000

I myself have serious health problems this week I went to see a doctor now have a nurse to visit me at home because my disability is getting worse. The hospital did have problem with me at first, but thats lack of funding from the Tories and lets not kid our selves labour.

but now without them I’d be dead.

We need to make sure the NHS stays it has to we cannot have a two tier in which hospitals seek out the rich making the poorest wait, because it was happening here. I was once in a seventeen bed ward and was the only one who was NHS

By: Liberal Conspiracy » The Tories who want to cripple the NHS

Liberal Conspiracy » The Tories who want to cripple the NHS — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:46:57 +0000

[...] Hawking hit back saying: “I wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the NHS…I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived.” [...]

By: Brian Moylan

Brian Moylan — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:49:49 +0000

Similarly I would not be here if it were not for the NHS, as I was involved in a road accident as a passenger and got a serious head injury/smashed up shoulder which meant being needed to be taught how to move limbs/walk/talk/then work.
Hanna and any of his Conservative lot would have found it necessary to leave me to die under a private healthcare system; I had no private health insurance.
The NHS sorted me out. I feel badly sorry for anybody that is the position I was in.
I feel even sorrier for people who are in the position but live in a country where healthcare is an “elitist” thing.
We used to have such a system in the UK, where people died for many unnecessary reasons.
That is why the NHS was developed.
Off to bed now, got the “DEATH PANEL” in the morning; I hope they decide I am worth more than 22k(gbp)! (the stupid b****)
Stephen Hawking: kick ass, excellent.