London

have given up on a few basic life comforts that you get used to when you come from continental europe (I'm french-greek-italian), such as:

• good hospitals
  
  
  
  

untrue. if you've hurt your finger a little bit, or have a cold, or have gotten too drunk i'm sure a&e is a bit of a nightmare. however, if you're literally dying this country steps up its game so fucking badly it's incredible. i thought the same as you until i had to visit a high dependency unit at kings and it blew my mind, it's all free as well.

Healthcare is erratic. Wildly so. The NHS has been neglected for too long by the bean counters and those who've jumped shipped and opted for private at the slightest whiff of a waiting list.

There were some shocking shortcomings surrounding the birth of my son, and I've seen a procession of elderly relatives go through repeated misdiagnosis, being subjected to a disgraceful bedside manner by most consultants and the occasional nurse, and seemingly being guinea pigs for the blinkered noodlings of assorted specialists.

Like I said: erratic. I've had some great experiences too. But I think the consistency of medical provision elsewhere in parts of continental Europe is something our government needs to be aspiring too, asap.