The NHS and my health

I have been most fortunate. Up until I was about 65 I kept fairly healthy for much of my life. Admittedly I had rheumatice fever when I was 4 and spent 18 months in hospital, and through life had flu, colds, irritable bowel and one or two other little problems, of course. But apart from those I have kept fairly fit. This in itself is a blessing. Having lived overseas where they have no similar cover I know that unless you can afford to pay for a health care package, you have to rely on yourself to pay for what can be devastating and life threatening illness.

Then in 2000 I had a bout of serious illness - I was 68 and in the years that have passed since then other problems have crept in such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hiatus hernia, suspected hyperthyroid and osteo-arthritis in my knee and one or other two joints. But generally, in myself, I feel pretty fit and I put this down to the care and attention I have received from my doctor and hospital.
These, of course, all come under the NHS umbrella. Where would so many of us in the UK be without it?
So I want to thank everyone who works for this wonderful organisation!