[quickthrower2]

I am contesting the "having" part of that sentence. The UK has problems, but it is not a country in dire straits.

To be clear: We are talking about GP right? To say get your blood pressure checked, or some mild antibiotics, or a rash cream, or referral to specialist? Not a specific treatment or surgery.

[adhesive_wombat]

GPs gatekeep a most referrals, it's often virtually impossible to get any substantial treatment or surgery unless referred by a GP. Furthermore, for NHS treatments, it has to be a referral from an NHS GP, so you can't simply pay for a private GP to check something out.

Or, you can just wait for it to become bad enough that you go directly from A&E to inpatient care.