In this week’s challenge, I thought I would try to explain some of the differences between UK & Canada services, since my return to the UK. Please note this is only my opinion formed from personal experience to date.
Health System
Just when you think it’s straightforward, you start to get frustrated with protocol. I’m due my next cancer injection next week yet I’m no nearer to getting the treatment I need. I know when I’m in the system, I will be ok and I will have access to all relevant parties. I don’t understand why I’m the person who’s doing all the chasing between various parties to do their job. My symptoms are terrible and I need their help to improve my quality of life. NHS you will be the death of me yet.
A further update since writing the above paragraph this morning.
I was in touch with a fellow UK patient this morning and she gave me some great advice. With her guidance, I reacted and contacted a local Net Nurse via email. I honestly thought I wouldn’t hear from her until tomorrow morning, yet she responded today. She’s arranging my injection for this week and getting me in to see a Net Consultant ASAP. Thank you L.
Library
Very helpful in the UK, like Canada., absolutely no complaints but just praise for the service.
Banks
I’m going to send the UK bank management team to Canada for work experience. UK banking you believe you are super efficient and provide an excellent customer service, let me tell you, that you are rubbish at execution. We had to speak to 5 different people to open an extra bank account at our branch.
Canada you get the thumbs up. One person and bingo it’s done. Our branch contact in Canada was both super efficient and customer focused, we miss you KNC.
Post Office/Post Man
My experience to date has been on par with Canada, however UK you get thumbs up for pricing and delivery. It is wonderful getting my mail through the door before 10.30am in the morning.
Cinema
Pretty much the same experience although the food variety is so much better in Canada.
Supermarkets
British supermarkets are amazing and the choice is incredible. I think Canada learns you to make quicker decisions because you have less choice options. I swear I stood for 15 mins trying to make a decision on coffee.
Watch Repair Man
One service we struggle to find in Canada yet in 10 mins I had two watches replaced with batteries for £8 ($16).
Phamarcy
I had built a wonderful relationship with my pharmacy in Canada and had found them to be excellent to deal with. In the UK, I will have to make the same relationship, however my first visit to an UK pharmacy was interesting to say the least. A woman was verbally abusing the pharmacist and then she continued to abuse a customer waiting for her meds. I turned to my husband and said “welcome back to the UK”.
I’m really happy to be back, nevertheless clearly there is pros and cons to every country.
zebrakat 