the gift that keeps on giving

Not to mention the NHS, with all its myriad professions, people working in the spas and sports centres, not to mention all those making the special clothes and materials needed to nurture our bodiesm gym kit, swimming costumes etc.

Yes, you're right. Have I missed my vocation, do you think? Should I have become a dermatologist? There is literally, so much area to cover.
What about a tattoo of a pound sign? Maybe that's too cynical. Personally, I wouldn't get a tattoo at all - why spend money on something like that if it's not needed?

So, maybe not a tattoo. Couldn't stand the pain to be honest. Maybe something to do with waxing. I find it strange that after the menopause, I suddenly have to attend to hair in places that haven't bothered me before while despairing that the hair on my head is not what it used to be.

Just last week, I happened to be wearing my glasses when I noticed my leg hair was so overgrown it was making the outline of my leg blurry. In a panic, I checked other areas only to find two long white hairs growing out of my right eyebrow. I would swear that they weren't there the day before. Maybe I need to consult the services of a waxologist!

Not forgetting organ donation of course. The biggest gift/s.

I don't like tattoos on women at all. Late husband had them on his arms, a legacy of being in the Merchant Navy, but I don't like them.

My GP referred me to a private clinic to have a mole removed. I paid £100 for a two minute consultation, then had to pay again for the actually 2 minute mole removal. They could have done it in one visit. It's all money money money. I was also asked to pay cash so I guess the tax man doesn't know about what they earn.

Oh get a tattoo. I 've got 7 but they're for me. They're only for public viewing in the summer. I got my 1st when I was 25. And nice girls!! ? didn't have them then. But I was and I did. But I loved the shock value.?

We have a new dentist in our (urban) village. He's actually very goo, with all the up to date treatments. The only gripe I have is that he doesn't do a scale and polish on the nhs. Scale yes, but the polish, which hygienists used to do at my previous surgery (dentist retired) he will not perform under the nhs. No, he charges £60 for a five minute shot blast kind of thing. It does brighten and whiten, but £60, I ask you!

Anyone else noticed this? Is it a trend or should I just get another dentist?

Good, not goo..

Having spoken to a few friends about dental visits it seems to be general now that you see the dentist and then visit the hygienist, who are usually not working for the NHS. Our dentist used to check teeth and gums, and then clean and polish. I now pay £19 to see the dentist and £45 for the hygienist.

I have sun sensitive skin and have had a lot of strange spots, moles, and marks. My doctor used to get in a dermatologist but now he doesn't and I have to miles to the nearest skin specialist. I have to pay there, surely it should be in the NHS?

Well my body bless it, doesn’t keep anyone in luxuries I visit the dentist and the optitian every twelve months and a doctor as rarely as possible oh hairdresser for a cut six times a year (£120 a year) That’s my lot

Annaram1 that's terrible that you have to pay when this is up to the NHS as a partially urgent procedure. A letter from your GP to the hospital should give you an appointment in at least 2 weeks for the removal of what sounds like BCC's.
This procedure is free !

My Dil is a dermatologist working in 3 NHS clinics. Any minor procedures I 've had have been carried out either in gp surgery or at a hospital appointment.
Seems unfair to single out dermatology for private treatment only?

None of these professions mentioned is a profitable as being a vet. Pet treatment seems to be virtually as expensive as private human treatment, the situation is compounded by the insurance industry who charge a fortune for the insurance and then also have an excess charge for each problem.

EllanVannin I was told that the wait to see a specialist for a BCC was 18 weeks, then after 18 weeks I was told it had risen to 38. I've eventually seen a specialist but told I have to wait another 18 weeks for treatment.

I am thinking of having "Do not resuscitate" tattooed across my chest!

Re vets...I wished our NHS operated as smoothly. Imagine really ringing you GP surgery any time during the day and the phone being answered immediately. Then being asked what time suited you and what GP you’d prefer to see.
Then after a blood test taken at that appointment the results being phoned through to you later that day.

At least Anja with the NHS we don’t have to worry about the bill or haggling with the insurance company trying to persuade them its a different illness.

CC if I were to go to my GP now about a couple of BCC's, I'd have a letter in a fortnight.

If the OP is thinking of having a tattoo remember that every tattoo sends a signal - and the message is NOT the one the tattoo'd party thinks he/she is sending.