Doctors appointment

Am horrified and truly worried about all I've read on this site. I live in Italy (North of Rome) but we want to return to UK in two years.
Italy sure has its problems BUT -whenever I want to see my doc, I just toddle to the surgery and wait my turn to go in. If I require a prescription renewal, I call her the day before and then just walk in together with the first patient in line and she hands me the pre-prepared prescription. Have needed repeated hospital treatments for the past six months. I arrive at 6.30 to get my number. (They will not see more than 100 patients a day). My specialist is there by 7 am, although visits officially start at 8.00, and I am visited, medicated and out again by 7:30 latest, with a new appointment lined up. I pay E10 each time for the medication stop. Here, they complain about the deterioration of the State medical services but from what I read here, the NHS has become a true nightmare.

I’ve not been to my GP surgery in over 3 years. Last time I wanted an appointment I just rang at 8.30 and eventually got through and had one the same day.

Hope it’s not deteriorated since my last visit.

Re the shortage of doctors my great nephew has applied to study medicine along with 2 others in his year at school. He’s the only one to get an offer of a place but needs 2A* and 1A. All three of these young people had a plethora of A*s at GCSE and are predicted excellent results in their A levels, yet only the one even has an offer. Sounds to me as if the bar is being set too high because of lack of places.