Call 911

When we first moved here, we were given no information, zero, zip, nada, on how the UK medical system works.  We get all our annual medical and dental exams done on return trips to Houston so we were just crossing our fingers that we never needed a doctor here.   Since then we have picked up a few bits of info:  1)  Everyone is required to register at the "surgery center" so that all your information is on record before you ever need to see a doctor.  The surgery center is not the same as we would think a surgery center is.  You register at the one that is assigned to you based on your address.  We still have no idea where our surgery center is.  2) Another American went to the doctor and said they had no idea how to deal with our international insurance.

Last week I threw out, wrenched, sprained my back REALLY REALLY badly.

I was able to get around, after taking massive amounts of Advil, as long as I didn't bend over, sit down, get back up, go up/down stairs etc.   After 3 days of it taking me 30+ minutes to get out of bed and stand up, I'd had enough.  Larry asked around at work and was told to take me to the A&E at the hospital.  

I went up to the reception desk, gave my name, birthdate, address, ailment and NOTHING ELSE.

Took a seat with the others

At least they give you a wait time estimate!

It only took about an hour before I got to see the doctor.  He had me do a couple leg lifts, flex my toes forward and backward and pounded on my back a couple times.

He wanted me to "pass water" to rule out a kidney infection

SERIOUSLY it's a test tube!!

Best part is that I had to walk back through the lobby to use the toilet and then back through carrying my sample.

Got a muscle relaxer/anti-inflammatory and

Codeine 4 times a day for 5 days!

Could be an interesting week!

No bill, no mention of insurance, pretty easy