Fell on pavement in town this am about 11 30 got to local A&E at about midday, broken arm diagnosed, xray etc and plastered and out at 13:30;

PS Fall and plastered not connected

Not bad eh?

Got in and out before the real Saturday drunks came in?

Seriously, French Health care is pretty top notch..

Private or national health?

Both the same, one mixes and matches, on some aspects there's only a % that the nhs equivalent pay usually a significant amount, the rest is paid by the patient or a mutual assurance which provides additional cover. Most people use mutual and it's not expensive because it only in for the difference. There are other benefits that they can cover e.g single room bathroom en suite etc. The charges are not great for the 'privileges' The treatment I had today was same for all irrespective. I pay mutual which also can cover dental treatment and specs etc where the prices are a lot more expensive. There's a grid that you can choose from.

Examinations and treatment normally same for all although there are exclusive Clinics ...

It has to be saidthat it is costing the 'nhs' a very significant amount of money and they are pegging the %s
Having said that most people are comfortable with using tha Mutual.

Another example, my wife discovered a breast lump, she was examined by a Specialist and operated on within. 10 days, thankfully it was benign.' Similar for a hip replacement ihad a couple of years ago, all done within a month and visiting nurse service thereafter until completion of treatment. This same/similar where in or out of mutual etc ...

If tbere is a serious problem, e.g cancer, heart probs etc.... sufferers are updated to 100% cover irrespective and covered.

Abulances are private but covered and the Fire Service equivalent provide urgent transport. They are equipped with medical professionals.

Glad You got fixed quick, priority applies in UK as well as it should be, maybe French 'targets' are more realistic or dont exist! Dont get me wrong NHS is *fupped* but its not the front line people to blame!

PS hope it wasnt the wine arm that was broke

the arm not a problem in that respect, as mentioned to you before ....limited acohol intake due to medication, ..glass a day. Sometime I sneak a bigger glass though

You'd still be on a trolley in the wrong hospital here

Broken arm eh, I recommend long straws

Fids, you could be on the money! the bloody itching that I can't scratch is driving me effing mad!

long straws might well improve access!

or skewers

wooden ones though

Never mind the wine drinking arm, you can work around that. Its the bum wiping arm that drives you nuts.

having never broke an arm that last post as sent shivers down my spine.

PS if anybody suffers same or similar long knitting needles are ace at treating itches under the plaster

PS if anybody suffers same or similar long knitting needles are ace at treating itches under the plaster

Try looking a mirror. You'll find that the itching goes away.

Last Tuesday at work my right thumb got squished in a Loft ladder I was making up, think mouse trap but with a one metre lever, more like a bear trap with a guillotine action. I thought I'd chopped it off, the bone was looking back at me. Anyhow, I got to hospital sharpish, got booked in, an assessment, dressing, x ray, seven stitches and a pat on the head later I was walking home. In at 11.15am, out at 2.45pm. Well impressed. They were short staffed as well, the nurse Michelle who patched me up, turns out she did three matches at the Rugby World Cup in the emergency room where the players came in to get stitched up, she was the nurse in there. She also got to watch the 100 metres final in London and high fived Usain Bolt at the finish And does the running on the pitch with her box of tricks at The Varsity match. She said she really liked rugby players.