The National Health Service is struggling to keep up with appointment demand, as waiting times for appointments are at an all-time high. This leaves people all over the United Kingdom waiting for appointments, unable to do anything to ease their pain.
At University College London Hospitals, the average waiting time for a first appointment at the cardiology department is 18 weeks, and the average waiting time for treatment at the hospitals is 15 weeks. This length of time puts many people in distress as they are forced to wait their illnesses out, living in pain until they are able to have an appointment. Furthermore, the extortionate price of private healthcare forces many people to wait until the NHS is able to provide an appointment, as lots of people cannot afford private health insurance.
Many people have decided to expedite their treatment by looking abroad for appointments. Speaking to one person, he said he decided to travel to Cyprus for a full body check-up, and was able to be seen immediately without having to wait for an appointment. This solution may be beneficial for some, as it allows for faster appointments, and in some countries the prices can be more affordable than in the UK. However it is crucial to research the reliability of the hospital before travelling in order to reduce health risks.
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