'GPs have got Britain hooked on painkillers'

today's Observer screams. Well, excuse me.

Could it be something to do with the lack access to health services in the country? When someone has a pain and is sent away with painkillers (oh for god's sake, don't use any diagnostic tools!), after three months is finally sent for an x-ray, the results of which she waits for a month for (how difficult is it to look at an x-ray?) and she is given by the practice receptionist - surely a breach of protocol, and then she gets an appointment to see the GP almost four weeks later....moving to almost 6 months after this all started.... I'd like to nail that healthboard to the wall!

So GPs have got Britain hooked on painkillers? (Which must also mean a number of accompanying complications in the stomach department).

Has anyone thought of curing people, rather than maintaining them in the poor state of health they are? If they are of working age, such negligent 'treatment' (how can you call it 'treatment') could cause all sorts of consequences starting with loss of job. But people beyond working age have the same entitlements as those who are still working.

The health spending in Scotland has doubled in the last 7 or 8 years. Has it had any effect? A crisis is already developing in child surgery where many surgeons will retire in the next 10 years. What's being done about this? Maybe there are more managers?

How come this is an Eastern European blog and I keep having to complain about the UK?