"Not a good first experience of the NHS"

I am an old aged pensioner who has never used the NHS in the last 30 years in any capacity. I paid my contributions for 35 years. In the last few weeks I have had 2 problems causing extreme oral discomfort - the first had to be treated with antibiotics from my GP (not an NHS GP!) This weekend I have been in excruciating pain from a broken tooth filling which has left a pin exposed and which has ripped my tongue to shreds. I cannot eat or speak and can only drink with great difficulty. On both occasions I have contacted NHS direct and I feel like I have had no help whatsoever. The first time I did not receive the promised return call, and had to pay my GP, and on this occasion I was told that I did not meet the criteria for emergency care.

I think this - my only experience of this service - just goes to prove my theory that the NHS is not very good. I believe let's abolish it and make everyone responsible for their own health.