This week, I am experiencing a dilemma. As a long-term left-leaning person, I have continually over the years expressed my deeply held opposition to private healthcare. As I age, I realise that the chances of my needing some form of healthcare and support may manifest and my family might need to make some uncomfortable choices.

We in the UK, despite the gift that is the NHS, ostensibly rely almost wholly on the private sector to provide old age care, and that, at a cost, in order to allow the extraction of profit. I ask that you read that again. Maybe even a few times and let it sink in. I know we all know, but in our disrupted world it can be one of the issues we put to the back of our mind. If we are in the unfortunate position of having to find the resources to meet these payments, directly or indirectly, our assets can be swallowed up, the main one being our home.

My issue is not with the future challenges which may occur. the dilemma I am currently experiencing is more immediate. I freely admit without any excuse that my ailment is of my own volition, with the cause and effect entirely and fully down to me. You could define the cause as a lifestyle issue, one in which I have voluntarily partaken and from which I have had many hours of extreme pleasure. I would even go as far to say that it has been an activity which at points has defined my waking life.

The other day, I was trying to recall how it all started and had to admit that a certain member of my family planted the seed as it were. A sibling, a number of years older than me was my influence and what an influence he was. As I say, he was a good bit senior to me and once, when picking me up from the school dentist, the receptionist advised me that my dad was here to pick me up. My eldest brother has never really lived that one down and I use every opportunity to recall and retell that story.

I looked up to him though and if he said something was the case, then for me it was not about questioning his assertion, it was simply to take what he said at face value. We fight like cat and dog nowadays, so all that smarmy nonsense has gone and I am solely responsible for my actions, good or bad.

All of that being the case, I will lay no more blame on him than simply stating that he showed me the way. I alone took the steps leading to where I am today. My problem has been one which has affected me in some way for more than 50 years now and is an ailment for which I do not believe the NHS has any available remedy.

Returning to the dilemma, it being the case that public sector intervention is not to be, I may have to consider going private to obtain the treatment I urgently require. That is unless anyone can tell me that there is a form of surgery available on the NHS which can shift the smile that broke out over my face around 1.45 pm on Sunday. A smile which has a feeling of permanency as I just can't seem to lose it. If not, I expect I can probably carry the burden.

Frank Eardley




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