"An American tourist, I became ill and..."

What I liked

An American tourist, I became ill and entered the hopital's A&E in the middle of the night with serious breathing difficulty. I was treated immediately without hesitation due to my status as a foriegn national and, due to my condition, admitted to the pulmonary ward for treatment of a lung infection. I was soon diagnosed with COPD, of which I had previously been unaware. The doctors, nurses and staff were caring, compassionate and attentive and kept me apprised as to my treatment throughout my stay. When I was released it was with a month's worth of various required medications. My time in the hands of the British NHS was so vastly different from, and superior to, my past experiences with hospitals and doctors in the US. I only wish we could establish a system similar to the NHS in the United States.

What could be improved

My experience with the NHS at Musgrove was so far superior to my dealings with American health care that I cannot think of a thing I'd change. I consider it a blessing that I took sick during my vacation in England as I was diagnosed with a condition that may well have gone undiagnosed at home.

Anything else?

I am grateful to the British people and the NHS. I consider that my life was saved at this hospital and that my future quality of life will be vastly improved based on the diagnoses of my COPD and the treatment prescribed. I only hope I can find a similar quality of care here in the US. I look forward to the day the United States implements a socialized medicine system similar to the British NHS.