However patients pay a small portion out of pocket for their prescription meds. Although this health policy provides excellent general medical treatment, specialized conditions are often deterred and a greater hassle. A patient needing specialist care is referred to hospitals by their GP where they can get their treatment, however these referrals are slow and individuals are put on the "infamous British Waiting list" a list with an average waiting time to be 1-3 months (Light, 2003). In response the English government has invited the Private sector to compete with NHS trusts for patients. Author Nick Triggle states, "Its results: Dramatic improvements in waiting times that the other nations have tried to replicate, but a complete breakdown in the relationship between the medical profession and ministers," portraying the animosity growing between practices.(2008) .
In Wales there are seven Local Health Boards (LHBs) that are responsible for the planning, security, and delivering of healthcare services in their areas. The National Health Service Trusts are responsible for "Ambulance Services, emergency services specialist services in cancer care, and a range of national support services and the new Public Health Wales"(NHS Wales,2012). Similar to their English Counter parts the Welsh have been slow to change reaching an all-time low in 2008, "the fact that there were 60,000 more patients on the waiting lists than compared to eight years ago." (2008) Looking at England's rapid treatment time, "Wales Ministers have responded by setting their own waiting target - 26 weeks by the end of 2009." a goal that was eventually reached in 2010. (2008) .
In North Ireland the NCS has three main business responsibilities, Health and Social Care (HSC), Public Health, and Public Safety. Health and Social Care (HSC) oversees hospital policies, General Practitioners for the community, and personal services.
