Jordan's Journal

I am proud of the NHS.

I am proud that our country offers a system of health care free at the point of need, where everyone is treated fairly and equally regardless of their ability to pay.

I'm proud of a system that means my grandparents arn't forced to remortgage the family home to afford a hip replacement; a system that means my friends don't have to check their bank balances before seeking medical treatment; and a system that means some one like me - with a long term health condition - wouldn't be put at the mercy of insurance companies.

President Obama is attempting some welcome reform of the US health care system, including some plans to model part of it on the NHS. However, his critics have used the NHS as an example of how not to run healthcare and have made some extraordinary claims about the care, support and services we recieve in Britain.

In an interview on Sky News, US political commentator Charlie Wolf said most people in Britain could afford health insurance. I would argue, the situation could not be more converse. Indeed, maybe Mr Wolf can afford it because he currently lives and works in UK and therefore benefits from our free health care.

In Britain, we like to grumble about things especially the NHS. I don't believe the system is perfect, however great advances and extra investment has made all the difference over the past ten years.

Comments made by the Tory MEP Dan Hannan, not only insults the 60 year legacy of our National Health Service, but it also insults the thousands of doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals who provide the best care they can to millions of people across the country. Sadly, despite David Cameron's protestations, Mr Hannan's views are shared by many Conservatives. To simply dismiss his comments as "eccentric" is beyond belief.