UNIT 9: HEALTHCARE

SUMMARY OF HEALTHCARE

In this unit I learned many things about the healthcare, for example these:

Most of the time we feel well. We can play sports, go to work and enjoy our lives. But sometimes we just don't feel well. Some people have medical insurance but most people can't afford it and rely on the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS has sent everybody in Britain a Self-Help Guide. This will help you diagnose what is wrong an find the best treatment. It covers things like headaches, coughs an colds, having a temperature or a stomach ache. For many people it could be all they need. You may need to go to the chemist to buy cough mixture or pills for headache. There are lots of medicines you can buy in chemist but more powerful ones like antibiotics you need to have a prescription from a doctor.

The NHS also provides Walk-in Centres in more than 60 locations in Britain. You don't need an appointment - you can just go in and wait until a doctor is available to treat you. Walk-in Centres treat minor illnesses like colds and flu, cuts and sprains.
But many people prefer alternative medicine. This can include many kinds of treatment using both very old and very modern techniques. One of the most common alternative treatments is the use of Chinese herbs- these are completely natural medicine. Acupuncture- a Chinese technique using needles placed carefully in the body- is also popular.