Service and the NHS

My wife had a mammogram today at a large London hospital. Needless to say when she arrived and wanted to ask directions from reception the receptionist was too busy talking to a friend of his about his weekend to deal with her and became somewhat shirty with her when she tried to interrupt. She had to wait until he'd finished his conversation before he deigned to tell her where to go. Furthermore on arrival at the mammogram reception when she asked how long the wait would be before her turn the nurse or whoever told she would have to wait as long as it took. So much for the NHS which is supposed to be so wonderful. It isn't wonderful since the vast majority who work in it have a vested interest in it remaining as it is. A place for them rather than for the patients. Monopolies are all the same be they government or privately owned. The NHS would improve significantly if it were subjected to real competition but that is never going to happen for ideological rather than any other reason. Any change to the NHS will always be resisted in case the cosy vested interests have to change their ways to provide a proper service. This must surely be recognised by the mainstream media (apart of course from the BBC which is a monopoly too) but why do they always scream when even the minimalist changes the government wishes to introduce are discussed? One has to rely on blogs and specialist journals like the Spectator to get a more reasoned view. The end does not justify the means and so what a pity those opposed to any reform misrepresent the benefits that change can bring.