My experience with national health care

I just have to report a quick story here about my experience yesterday using the National Health service here. In light of all the controversy about public health care in the states it seems particularly important. For anyone who is worried about it -- I relay this story--- pass it on.

I woke up feeling the onset of mastitis-- infection caused by nursing. We have been working on getting Rhys to sleep through the night and it has sort of thrown things off. Anyway -- I have had it once before and wanted to try to nip it in the bud quickly. I called the doctor's office and asked for an appointment as soon as possible and they had a cancellation and said I could be seen that day. I hadn't even mentioned why I needed the appointment. I went in and waited about 5 minutes and saw the doctor. He was lovely, asked lots of questions, gave me an examination and diagnosed early onset of mastitis and prescribed penicillin. I was in and out in under ten minutes with prescription in hand. When I dropped it into the nearest pharmacy just up the street the pharmacist informed me that I didn't have to pay because I has a child under a year! I was flabbergasted! Apparently all prescriptions for mothers with children under a year are free.
I said "Are you sure" and he said "Yes!"

Wow! If this is the health care folks in the USA are worried about ---- bring it on!