A friend of mine recently went into hospital because he fell down his staircase and broke his ankle. When he told me where he was I was surprised to find he was checked into a private hospital. I thought he would be in the local NHS, but as he told me, he actually had health insurance – which meant that he could enjoy the luxury (or very close to it) of a private hospital.

I have to admit that I wasn’t very keen on the idea of private health systems – that was, until I went to see my friend in his hospital bed. He was as happy as Larry – and he said the food was amazing and the nurses were very nice indeed. He has his own little room with fresh flowers by the window. I even got a cup of tea without asking – oh joy I thought – I wish I had health insurance like he did.

Although of course  would never wish to be in hospital, I have to say if I was, then it would be almost like staying in a hotel to be in a private hospital such as this.